2016 VT Governor's race: on Drugs

Phil Scott: Address opiate addiction via prevention & enforcement

Scott: I have a 10-point plan to address opiate addiction through prevention, treatment, and enforcement. We need to expand community commitment by replicating the success of programs such as Rutland Project VISION. I'd establish a Director of Drug Abuse Prevention and an Opiate Coordination Council comprised of municipal, health and law enforcement officials to eliminate red tape and ensure integration of state government opiate policies. I'd emphasize long-term treatment rather than short-term detox, invest in expanded treatment options and new licensed counselors. We can also give law enforcement more flexibility to refer people to treatment rather than prison. I'd also require digital prescriptions in order to reduce prescription fraud. I'd fight to update federal drug disposal rules and expand Medication-Assisted Treatment programs so doctors can treat more addicts.

Bruce Lisman: No legalization now; let's see what happens in other states

Bruce Lisman did not respond to MPP's survey asking about marijuana legalization. "I say, 'No, not now,' Lisman said on VT Public Radio. "It's not clear to me that we understand well enough what's happening in the other states that have legalized it or the process by which they've gone through."

Matt Dunne: Legalize marijuana quickly; prohibition hasn't worked

Former State Sen. Matt Dunne (D-Hartland) responded yes to all three MPP survey questions. "I actually believe that we need to move forward with the legalization of marijuana, because I don't know anyone who thinks that prohibition has actually worked," Dunne said on Vermont Public Radio in June. "In fact, I think we need to move relatively quickly, so that we're not having to react to other states that, as I understand it, are planning on putting this issue on a referendum."

Phil Scott: No legalization at this time; but I'm not saying never

Lieutenant Gov. Phil Scott (R-Berlin) did not respond to MPP's survey asking about marijuana legalization. "I'm not saying never," Scott said on Vermont Public Radio in June. "I'm saying it's the timing's not right. It's not now."

Sue Minter: Supports legalizing marijuana

Former State Rep. Sue Minter did not respond to MPP's survey asking about marijuana legalization. "I do support the legalization of marijuana," Minter said on Vermont Public Radio in June.

Sue Minter: Addicts need treatment, not jail time

Matt Dunne: Create a trusted Vermont brand of legalized marijuana

A strong Marijuana policy will achieve the following:
• Undercut the criminal market.
• Better control youth access.
• Create a system of tested and labeled products.
• Generate revenue that can be used for prevention, treatment and education.
• Reduce an adversarial relationship between law enforcement and marijuana users.
• Better to put a controlled system in place now than have to respond after voter referenda result in reform in other states like Maine and Massachusetts.

Phil Scott: Supports growing industrial hemp in Vermont