2016 CO Senate race: on Drugs

Darryl Glenn: Feds should leave marijuana law to states, including banking

A: Not at this time. Marijuana is still an illegal drug under federal law. The Department of Justice still maintains the ability to arbitrarily challenge Colorado's legalization of marijuana if it determines that Colorado's regulatory system is inadequate. Further, banks are subject to federal law, so the overall legalization of marijuana needs to be addressed before granting access to banks.

Darryl Glenn: Congress should leave opioid law to states

A: Congress does not have a direct role under the Constitution in addressing the crisis of opioid addiction and overdose. Congress should direct its focus on policies that provides States with the flexibility to empower local communities and families on identifying solutions to this growing problem.

Jon Keyser: Feds should let marijuana businesses use normal banking

A: One of the reasons people are so frustrated with government right now is because government holds private businesses and citizens to standards to which the government does not comply. This is a prime example. Right now, the State of Colorado is allowed to use the federal banking system to deposit the tax revenue generated by marijuana businesses, but the very same businesses paying these taxes to the state are denied access to banks. I support opening the banking system to marijuana businesses so they can move out of the shadows and away from an all cash system that invites corruption and puts business owners in unnecessarily dangerous situations.

Jon Keyser: Focus on awareness and treatment for opioid addiction

A: About 80% of heroin users say they became addicted to opioids when they were first legally prescribed to them by a physician. My focus would be on awareness and treatment, so pain management programs are tailored for patients in a way that will prevent prescription opioid abuse and would not lead to heroin use.