State of New Mexico secondary Archives: on Drugs


Ben Ray Lujan: Change approach to minor non-violent marijuana arrests

We must also change our country's approach to marijuana convictions. While violent offenders should be judiciously apprehended, we cannot continue to support a justice system that robs young people of a future because of minor, non-violent marijuana arrests. I support legislation to vacate minor marijuana convictions nationwide, which will give young people and minor offenders new opportunities to work and contribute to their communities.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com Jul 8, 2020

Ben Ray Lujan: Hold opioid manufacturers accountable for role in epidemic

I was successful in securing more than $1 billion dollars in nationwide funding to combat the opioid epidemic. I will continue holding opioid manufacturers accountable for their role in pumping unnecessary prescription drugs into our communities and will not rest until mothers, fathers, and families are no longer losing their children and loved ones to a substance use disorder.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com Jul 8, 2020

Ben Ray Lujan: Co-sponsored federal decriminalization of marijuana bill

Q: Keep marijuana illegal or decriminalize?

Ben Ray Lujan: Decriminalize. Co-sponsored bill to federally decriminalize. Pushed bill to remove marijuana as a deportable offense.

Mark Ronchetti: No position found.

Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 New Mexico Senate race Sep 30, 2020

Bill Richardson: Crack down on illegal drug labs

We’re cracking down on illegal drug labs - these dangerous, makeshift factories are popping up almost daily in neighborhoods across our state. In addition to the deadly product they produce, the labs are a danger to nearby residents, and anyone in the house, including children. Our State Police are targeting these illegal drug labs and will throw the book at anyone making drugs, and raise the penalties for those doing so with children present.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

Bob Walsh: Marijuana isn't a gateway drug

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Marijuana is a gateway drug"?

A: Strongly oppose

Source: OnTheIssues interview for 2020 New Mexico race May 1, 2020

Gavin Clarkson: Supports local drug courts & opioid treatment

Q: What should be done at the federal level to address the crisis of opioid addiction?

A: Local drug courts combining punitive powers with medical treatment and rehabilitative programs seem to offer the best hope of dealing with a crisis that federal policy has exacerbated through crony subsidies, making pain a "vital sign," mandating abuse-deterrent formulas, outlawing generics, prohibiting maintenance therapy, and over-regulating Medication Assisted Treatment options.

Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 New Mexico Senate race Nov 1, 2018

Jeff Apodaca: Legal pot, in-state tourism can boost economy

He talked about Colorado legalizing marijuana, putting millions back into the economy. "It's an opportunity for us to get ahead of the curve. Colorado's tourism is up 32 percent," Apodaca said. "We talked to the folks up north. They drive up, buy and come back. More importantly, 32,000 jobs, $200 million in tax revenue."

"If we just promoted ourselves to ourselves, and we get half those families half the time in New Mexico, it would be a $400 to $500 million launch to our economy."

Source: Los Alamos Monitor on 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race Aug 2, 2017

Joe Cervantes: Look into pot decriminalization

Cervantes said he believes New Mexico "should look at" legalizing recreational marijuana. "The infrastructure is not there for legalization yet," said Cervantes, who has sponsored legislation to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. "But it is something the state should look into."
Source: Las Cruces Sun-News on 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race Jul 5, 2017

Martin Heinrich: It's time to legalize marijuana

Q: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. "It's time to legalize marijuana."

Gary Johnson (L): Yes. Long-time advocate for legalization.

Mick Rich (R): Opposes legalizing recreational use.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Supports medical marijuana and recreational legalization

Q: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Supported NM medical marijuana program & voted in Congress to protect. Supports recreational legalization.

Steve Pearce (R): No. Strongly opposes recreational legalization. "It would hinder the economic fortunes of poor people."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Cannabis is the next frontier of economic expansion

Recreational cannabis can be the next frontier of our economic expansion. We can get in on the ground floor or we can try to play catch up--I know which one I prefer. And I know which one New Mexicans prefer: 75 percent of New Mexico supports the legalization of adult-use cannabis, including strong support in rural areas.
Source: 2020 New Mexico State of the State address Jan 21, 2020

Mick Rich: Ending illegal drugs crossing the border will be #1 priority

Rich also signaled public safety issues as a top priority, while tracing New Mexico's difficulties in addressing violent crime and drug overdoses to illegal drugs crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. He said he would take a common sense approach to drug interdiction at the border that would include border wall reinforcements in some, but not all, areas. He suggested paying for border wall improvements with a portion of the money that immigrants wire home to family in Mexico.
Source: US News & World Report on 2018 New Mexico Senate race Apr 19, 2017

Mick Rich: Opposes legalizing recreational use

Q: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. "It's time to legalize marijuana."

Gary Johnson (L): Yes. Long-time advocate for legalization.

Mick Rich (R): Opposes legalizing recreational use.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Rebecca Dow: Voted against the legalization of cannabis

In the state legislature, she voted against the legalization of cannabis, which will bring thousands of jobs into New Mexico.
Source: Democratic Party on 2022 New Mexico Gubernatorial race Jul 7, 2021

Rebecca Dow: Expand medical cannabis; oppose legal recreational marijuana

I support hemp production and expanding the medical cannabis program. The versions of the bills to legalize recreational marijuana have been too large and too complicated for me to support. I will not vote for a bill that permits/licenses businesses in the same way as liquor licensing.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2022 New Mexico Gubernatorial race Sep 23, 2021

Steve Pearce: Questions Colorado's model on pot legalization

New Mexico currently has a medicinal marijuana program. Pearce supports "looking more closely" at medical use of the drug and has been moved by patients finding relief from cannabis. He is watching Colorado's move into legalization use and says "there are questions" about whether New Mexico should do so. In Colorado, he said he has observed that "some people can handle recreational drugs like (they handle) alcohol."
Source: Las Cruces Sun-News on 2018 New Mexico gubernatorial race Jul 10, 2017

Steve Pearce: Opposes recreational marijuana

Q: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Supported NM medical marijuana program & voted in Congress to protect. Supports recreational legalization.

Steve Pearce (R): No. Strongly opposes recreational legalization. "It would hinder the economic fortunes of poor people."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Susana Martinez: Crack down on repeat drunk drivers

I'm asking the Legislature to work with me to crack down on repeat drunk drivers. A vehicle in the hands of a repeat drunk driver is a deadly weapon--it's a deadly weapon that we should confiscate. Just like they do in Albuquerque, we should seize the vehicles of repeat drunk drivers. And for those who rack up four, five, six, or more DWI's, who just don't get the message, it's time to impose more serious, mandatory prison sentences that get them off the streets and away from our families.
Source: 2012 New Mexico State of the State Address Jan 17, 2012

Mark Ronchetti: Focus on 1 million fentanyl pills crossing the border

Ronchetti states that if he was elected, he would utilize the National Guard to ensure a secure border that is safe for residents. Lujan Grisham called his statements "political theatre" and said she spoke with those guards who worked the border during then-President Donald Trump's order, and they told her their job duties were not border security.

Ronchetti rebutted with discussing the FBI raid of over 1 million fentanyl pills and went on to state that criminals are here due to the laxed policing.

Source: KOAT-7 Action News on 2022 New Mexico Gubernatorial race Oct 17, 2022

  • The above quotations are from State of New Mexico Politicians: secondary Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Drugs:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023