Gubernatorial campaign websites: on Drugs


Brenda Siegel: Harm reduction, treatment & recovery on demand

Source: 2022 Vermont Governor campaign website BrendaForvermont.com Aug 14, 2022

Chris Jones: Develop a just and equitable cannabis industry

Chris Jones believes that now is the time for Arkansas to develop a just and equitable cannabis industry that encourages economic growth, funds education programs, and will protect police officers and citizens alike.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Governor campaign website ChrisForGovernor.com May 26, 2022

Deidre DeJear: Legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use, like alcohol

Source: 2022 Iowa Gubernatorial campaign website DejearForIowa.com Sep 22, 2022

Deirdre Gilbert: Community-based alternatives instead of mandatory minimums

We've seen back door legislation that alter rules, deter lawsuits by punishing injured Americans by requiring them to pay corporate attorneys' fees if jury award a significantly lower settlement, bar injured Americans from getting any damages from corporations whose products injure them, allow doctors who have histories of alcohol and drug abuse, rape, sexual assault, and murder to practice medicine, with no legal recourse.

Back door legislation interferes with our criminal system by increasing time served for drug offenses through mandatory minimum sentencing, creating barriers to alternatives to prison such as community-based corrections programs, making it a felony to steal from retail establishments, regardless of the value of the property stolen.

Source: 2022 Texas Gubernatorial campaign website gilbert4gov.com Sep 22, 2022

Doug Gansler: Legalize cannabis and expunge convictions

Legalize cannabis and expunge convictions:

Cannabis should be legal in the United States, and we will legalize it here. But we know the burden of cannabis convictions historically fell on Black Marylanders and we must right that wrong by expunging convictions and using the revenue from legalized cannabis to support investment in Black communities.

Source: 2022 Maryland Gubernatorial campaign website DougGansler.com Dec 29, 2021

Doug Gansler: Drug use should be treated like a public health problem

Drug courts in every jurisdiction presenting alternatives to incarceration:

Drug use should be treated like a public health problem and not a problem of criminality, as we already know it is in white communities. The Gansler administration will create alternatives to incarceration for drug abuse throughout the state.

Source: 2022 Maryland Gubernatorial campaign website DougGansler.com Dec 29, 2021

Greg Lopez: Marijuana is an addictive drug and not safe

Legalized marijuana is a danger to teens and has caused tremendous harm to certain individuals in our society. As Governor, I will personally work alongside Smart Colorado to expose the perils of pot use. The Lopez Administration will remind the public that we must stop calling it "recreational" marijuana but call it what it truly is, which is "retail" marijuana. When young developing minds hear the word "recreational" they lose sight that it is an addictive drug and not safe.
Source: 2022 Colorado Gubernatorial campaign website Lopez2022.com Nov 9, 2021

Jamie R. Smith: Recreational marijuana should be legalized in South Dakota

The people of South Dakota voted for the legalization of recreational marijuana and that vote was not only ignored, but impeded by Governor Noem at every turn. The Governor's office should never use state dollars in order to sue and overturn the will of the people. Recreational marijuana should be legalized in South Dakota.
Source: 2022 South Dakota Governor campaign website SmithForGov.org Aug 14, 2022

Jason Martin: Pass cannabis for recreational use. Period

Pass cannabis for recreational use. Period. Decriminalize small drug offenses. This is a bipartisan issue, and as a governor for all Tennesseans, I will make sure that we do not lag behind on this issue. I want to legalize marijuana as 15 states have already done. Opening up the cannabis market will also bring millions of dollars to communities across the state, allow farmers to take part in this lucrative sector, and employ thousands across this state in this new market.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com Aug 7, 2022

Mia McLeod: Sponsored bill that would decriminalize marijuana

While in the General Assembly, I sponsored the Transparency in Justice Act, which would finally make hate a crime in SC, ban no-knock warrants and police chokeholds, demilitarize the police, decriminalize marijuana, end qualified immunity for cops who kill civilians without justification and make other critical changes to our outdated criminal justice laws.
Source: 2022 South Carolina Governor campaign website MiaForSC.com Jun 15, 2022

Mike Murphy: More accessible licensing for substance abuse counselors

Mike is proposing more accessible licensing requirements for substance abuse counselors. Many aspiring counselors are former addicts who may not have a bachelor's degree. If people are willing to assist with our substance abuse and mental health crisis, they should be permitted to do so as long as they meet reasonable, formal training requirements and take steps to maintain their licensure.
Source: 2022 Minnesota governor campaign website MikeMurphyForMN.com Feb 16, 2021

Nan Whaley: Move past stigma, treat addiction as the disease that it is

Although Dayton was hit hard by the opioid crisis and a rash of overdose deaths, our city has proven to be extraordinarily resilient in the face of this crisis. Nan often says that she wants Dayton to be known as the place that figured out how to move past the stigma of addiction and instead treat it like the disease that it is. Due to the great work of leaders from across our community, Dayton cut its overdose deaths in half in a year.
Source: 2022 Ohio Governor campaign website NanWhaleyForOhio.com Apr 6, 2021

Rushern Baker: Those hit by war on drugs owed windfall from legalization

The communities hardest hit by the war on drugs are owed the financial windfall that will come from legalization. That's why we support legalizing cannabis for adult use while ensuring that minority and women-owned businesses are guaranteed an opportunity to receive dispensary licenses. Furthermore, we are proposing that tax revenue from legal cannabis be returned to these communities in the form of direct economic impact payments.
Source: 2022 Maryland Governor campaign website RushernBaker.com Jun 24, 2022

Scott Jensen: Expunge prior convictions for small amounts of marijuana

As a medical professional Dr. Scott Jensen has seen the benefit of medical cannabis. Our State has had a program since 2015 and Dr. Jensen fully supports it. As Governor he will be an advocate to increase the number of distribution centers, ease restrictions on the ability to prescribe, and allow more providers to better serve the pain management needs in our state.

Dr Scott Jensen believes it is time for expungement for prior convictions of small amounts of marijuana. Individuals with past criminal convictions can face difficulty acquiring and maintaining employment, attending college, and engaging in other activities. In some cases, this hardship can lead to other crime and recidivism. Dr. Jensen believes it is time to end the cycle and expunge these minor infractions that cause greater harm than good.

Source: 2022 Minnesota Governor campaign website DrScottJensen.com Dec 30, 2021

Stephen Heidt: Legalize medical marijuana; decriminalize personal use

Someone close to me was very ill and was prescribed cannabis for their symptoms. Not only was it beneficial to them, but it also had fewer side effects than other medications and was MORE affordable. We have medical patients that need access to this medicine. It should be available for those who need it and have a doctor's prescription. Idaho farmers should be allowed to grow it.

It should be decriminalized and the punishment for personal possession should be the equivalent of a speeding ticket.

Source: 2022 Idaho Governor campaign website HeidtForGovernor.com May 19, 2022

Tim James: Repeal medical marijuana law, perfect recipe for fraud/abuse

The legislature passed a bill which permits the sale and distribution of "medical marijuana." Referred to as the "Compassion Act," this would more accurately be designated the "Bait and Switch Act." The current law is the perfect recipe for fraud and abuse. We must not permit medical marijuana to become a street drug under the guise of medicine. We should repeal Alabama's "medical marijuana" law and proceed with a plan that is open, honest and scientifically sound.
Source: 2022 Alabama Governor campaign website TimJamesGovernor.com Feb 24, 2022

Wes Moore: Legalize cannabis, expunge possession convictions

Wes will legalize cannabis, expunge the records of anyone convicted of simple possession, and prioritize equitable access to this emerging industry.
Source: 2022 Maryland Gubernatorial campaign website WesMoore.com Jul 24, 2022

Betsy Johnson: Repeal the failed experiment to legalize hard drugs

Honestly address the role mental illness, drugs, addiction, and lawlessness play in the homeless crisis. This will include working to repeal the failed experiment to legalize hard drugs; supporting law enforcement; and mounting a full court press to provide services to those who need them, combined with job-training to ensure people are placed on the road to recovery, healing, and economic independence. Compassion without expectations is only creating more chaos, not durable solutions.
Source: 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website RunBetsyRun.com Oct 6, 2022

  • The above quotations are from Survey of 2022 Gubernatorial campaign websites.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Jared Polis on Drugs.
  • Click here for more quotes by Charlie Baker on Drugs.
Candidates and political leaders on Drugs:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Aug 18, 2024