2016 Vice Presidential prospects: on Drugs
Tim Kaine:
Against decriminalizing marijuana at state or federal level
Kaine's regressive and repressive views and votes on marijuana recently earned him into a "hall of shame" over at StopTheDrugWar.com. Just last month, they consolidated NORML's congressional scorecard, and displayed the names of 26 current US senators
to whom they have given an "F" rating. Unsurprisingly, only four were Democrats; unfortunately, one of those four prohibitionists is Tim Kaine. He said: "I wouldn't vote for a law at the federal or state level that would decriminalize marijuana."
Source: MarijuanaPolitics.com, "Prohibitionist VP": 2016 Veepstakes
Jul 23, 2016
Tim Kaine:
Supported Senate bill to fight opioid epidemic
I've seen firsthand how significant an impact the opioid and heroin abuse epidemic is having on communities and families in Virginia. More Virginians now die from these overdoses than car accidents, and law enforcement currently lacks the tools to save
more lives. I'm pleased this bill will encourage co-prescribing of naloxone -- a life-saving drug -- alongside opioid prescriptions and also implements a measure to protect the elderly from medication abuse.
Source: Kaine's Senate office website, during 2016 Veepstakes
Jul 13, 2016
Bob Corker:
Keep drugs out of our schools
- Supports Measures to Keep Our Schools Safe and Drug Free: Senator Corker supports "Safe and Drug Free Schools," this is a federal program that provides support to state governments to enhance safety and keep drugs out of our schools.
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Senator Bob Corker believes in tough law enforcement, severe penalties for those who commit crime, and continued funding for law enforcement programs making a difference in our communities.
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Supports Strong Community/Police Relationships. Senator Corker supported a measure that would provide continued funding for the "COPS" Program. This program puts law enforcement professionals on the streets and assigns
them a beat, so they can build relationships with the people they serve. In turn, the relationship between the community and police foster greater community involvement in law enforcement and, ultimately, safer neighborhoods.
Source: Official Senate website for 2016 Veepstakes Senators
Jul 5, 2016
Tom Vilsack:
$51.4 million for opioid abuse clinics in rural communities
President Obama asked me to lead an interagency effort focused on heroin and prescription opioids in rural America, a role I was humbled to accept. This issue is very personal to me. Growing up with a mother who struggled with alcohol and prescription
drug addiction for much of my childhood, it wasn't until I saw her recover with treatment that I saw addiction for what it is: a disease, not a character flaw. This disease isn't a personal choice, and it can't be cured by willpower alone.
It requires responses from whole communities, access to medical treatment, and an incredible amount of support.To me, our mandate is clear: don't judge, just help. I recently announced the availability of $1.4 million through USDA's Rural Health and
Safety Education grant program, which we are expanding this year to support outreach to prevent opioid abuse in rural communities. In 2013, I made a commitment to provide up to $50 million in Community Facilities funds for these types of facilities.
Source: Obama Cabinet: USDA.gov press release: 2016 Veepstakes
Mar 30, 2016
Elizabeth Warren:
Legalizing marijuana will reduce opioid deaths
Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to explore the use of medical marijuana as an alternative to the powerful opioid painkillers that kill thousands of people each year. In a letter to CDC chief
Tom Friedan, the Massachusetts Democrat also asks the agency to look into "the impact of the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana on opioid overdose deaths."
Source: Washington Post on 2016 Veepstakes: "Legalizing marijuana"
Feb 13, 2016
Tom Vilsack:
Notes the revenue potential of an acre of marijuana
Former President Bill Clinton and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack may have unintentionally added themselves to the growing list of pot-supporting politicians. Vilsack said that while visiting Milwaukee, a friend showed him "greens," an acre
of which could fetch $1 million. "With the exception of Colorado and a few other states that have legalized another product, there are not very many commodities that you can plant an acre of and get a million bucks" he said.
Source: CNN coverage of 2016 Veepstakes: "Bill Clinton Weed"
Dec 15, 2011
Tim Kaine:
Reduce sentences but do not decriminalize pot
Questions ranged from topics such as the government treatment of ISIS, to the decriminalization of marijuana. To the latter, Kaine said that while he "support[s] drastic changes in sentencing laws,
I wouldn't vote for a law at the federal or state level that would decriminalize marijuana."
Source: 2016 Veepstakes: The Cosby Bolt, "Tim Kaine Forum"
Jan 21, 2010
Page last updated: Nov 30, 2021