2016 IA Senate race: on Drugs


Patty Judge: Legalize medical marijuana, but not recreational use

Q: On Marijuana: Decriminalize and/or legalize marijuana?

Grassley: Blocked bi-partisan medical cannabis bill from getting hearing and supports federal override of state laws. Does support research on CBD-only medical strains.

Judge: Supports legalization of medical marijuana. Opposes recreational use.

Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Iowa Senate race Oct 9, 2016

Chuck Grassley: Ardent and vocal opponent of marijuana legalization

The race in Iowa probably represents reformers' most important opportunity to oust a staunch marijuana prohibitionist from the Senate in 2016. Incumbent Sen. Charles Grassley (R) chairs the Judiciary Committee and has long been one of Congress's most ardent and vocal opponents of legalization. He has blocked bipartisan medical cannabis legislation from getting a hearing or a vote and has repeatedly criticized the Obama administration over its approach of generally respecting state marijuana laws.

In November, Grassley faces off against Democrat Patty Judge, Iowa's former lieutenant governor and secretary of agriculture. While Judge doesn't appear to have been especially vocal about marijuana laws one way or the other, replacing Grassley would be an enormous win for pro-legalization forces.

Advocates believe they have the votes in the Senate to approve broad medical cannabis legislation but that Grassley "has been unwilling to bring it or any other marijuana reform up for vote."

Source: Marijuana.com on 2016 Iowa Senate race Jun 13, 2016

Patty Judge: Not vocal about legalizing, but opponent vocally against it

Incumbent Sen. Charles Grassley (R) chairs the Judiciary Committee and has long been one of Congress's most ardent and vocal opponents of legalization. In November, Grassley faces off against Democrat Patty Judge, Iowa's former lieutenant governor and secretary of agriculture. While Judge doesn't appear to have been especially vocal about marijuana laws one way or the other, replacing Grassley would be an enormous win for pro-legalization forces.

Drug Policy Action, an advocacy group, believes they have the votes in the Senate to approve broad medical cannabis legislation but that Grassley "has been unwilling to bring it or any other marijuana reform up for vote." Calling Grassley "the main obstacle to reform in the Senate," the group's spokesperson said that "if he loses, or if Democrats take back the Senate (depriving him of chairmanship), the prospect for marijuana reform greatly improves."

Source: Marijuana.com on 2016 Iowa Senate race Jun 13, 2016

Jay Williams: Yes, I did use illegal drugs, like other angry young men

You don't want to see my dirty laundry--and I don't want you to see it--but there is some, and if I get any traction at all in this campaign you probably will. You might be shocked, but probably not. I wasn't much different from any other confused, hurt and angry young man. Yes, I did use illegal drugs, drink too much, lose my temper, go to jail overnight a couple of times and get some probation. Anyone who is really interested in the specifics can drill down if they want to, but for me, now, what is important is that the suffering that I and those around me endured was not wasted. It caused me to accept responsibility, to try and understand the real motives for my behavior and ultimately to realize that people can heal if they are honest, courageous and determined--and have the love and support of others.
Source: 2016 Iowa Senate campaign website PoliticsYourWay.org Mar 1, 2016

Chuck Grassley: End mandatory life sentence for three drug convictions

Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate reportedly have reached agreement on a package of criminal justice reforms that they plan to unveil today, including shorter sentences for some drug offenders and a greater emphasis on rehabilitation. Since the proposed legislation is supported by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), an unreconstructed drug warrior and fan of mandatory minimum sentences, you can be sure it does not go as far as it should and includes elements that are hard to swallow. But on balance it sounds like a step in the right direction.

According to MSNBC, the proposal would "end the federal 'three strikes' rule." Presumably that refers to the mandatory life sentence for people convicted of three drug offenses, as opposed to the mandatory life sentence for people convicted of two "serious violent felonies" plus a "serious drug offense." The Smarter Sentencing Act, introduced last February, would change the former sentence to a 25-year term.

Source: Reason Magazine on 2016 Iowa Senate race Oct 1, 2015

  • The above quotations are from 2016 Iowa Senate race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs.
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Candidates and political leaders on Drugs:

Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Nov 30, 2021