State of Utah Archives: on Drugs

Allen Glines: Phase out penalties for marijuana at the federal level

Chris Peterson: Pro-medical cannabis

Kamala Harris: Will get rid of cash bail and decriminalize marijuana

Craig Bowden: Marijuana is not a gateway drug; prescriptions are

A: No. As a matter of fact, most people on harder drugs started with prescriptions.

Jenny Wilson: Supports legalized medical marijuana; it has helped so many

Jenny Wilson for Senate Facebook response: "With so many Utahns helped by legalized medical marijuana, I support this initiative."

Jenny Wilson: More funding for opioid treatment for victims

Wilson, who serves on the Utah Attorney General's Opioid Task Force, has been a strong supporter of prioritizing funding and expanding treatment. Recently she voted in favor of expanding jail beds in Salt Lake County so that dealers can be put behind bars and victims can be taken to treatment.

"These are our friends, neighbors, and family members who are affected by this crisis and it is getting worse, not better. That's why I will continue to lead where Washington has failed by prioritizing funding during the upcoming County budget sessions," said Wilson. "A broken federal government is leaving us to pick up the pieces locally," said Wilson.

Gary Herbert: More drug testing for unemployment insurance applicants

Congress authorized the Labor Department to craft a rule that would provide states the option to drug test unemployment insurance applicants. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration drafted the rule too narrowly, undermining the intent of Congress and permitting drug testing in too few instances.

Drug testing UI applicants can help individuals suffering from substance abuse to access necessary care and treatment so they may re-enter the workforce as healthy and productive members of society. We believe this rule should be replaced with a new rule that allows increased flexibility for states to implement UI drug testing that best fits the needs of each state. We look forward to working with Congress on this issue going forward.

Misty Snow: Get feds out of the way of states on marijuana policy

The federal government should get out of the way of states' efforts to set their own marijuana policies. A state should be able to legalize marijuana for medical, recreational, or industrial use without interference from the federal government. It's time for the federal government to end its prohibition on marijuana and regulate it the same way as they do alcohol.

Mike Weinholtz: Treat addiction & mental illness, instead of incarceration

Many people in our jails and prisons suffer from underlying mental illness and addiction. Without adequate treatment, they continue to cycle in and out of jails and prisons, costing us real money and destroying families. A major part of criminal justice reform is increasing mental health coverage. Utah can't afford to underfund mental health evaluations and treatment for those in need. In 2015, over 150,000 Utahns needed mental health treatment but the State only funded treatment for fewer than 32,000. I will increase funding to mental health services and expand Medicaid.

Jon Huntsman: End Meth Now: stop the scourge

Mike Leavitt: Drug Courts are working; expand them statewide