State of Utah Archives: on Drugs
Allen Glines:
Phase out penalties for marijuana at the federal level
Phase out penalties
for marijuana at the federal level.
Source: 2021 Utah Senate campaign website AllenGlines.com
Jul 21, 2021
Chris Peterson:
Pro-medical cannabis
Chris is committed to upholding the voters' will by following through on the Medicaid expansion and medical cannabis program Utahns supported in 2018.
Chris is also dedicated to bolstering mental health resources in order to curb rising cases of mental illness and suicide.
Source: 2020 Utah governor website PetersonForUtah.com
Oct 9, 2020
Craig Bowden:
Marijuana is not a gateway drug; prescriptions are
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Marijuana is a gateway drug"?
A: No. As a matter of fact, most people on harder drugs started with prescriptions.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Utah Senate candidate
Feb 28, 2018
Gary Herbert:
More drug testing for unemployment insurance applicants
We write to you today in support of H.J. Res. 42, your legislation that would disapprove of the US Department of Labor's recent regulation regarding states' ability to drug test individuals who apply for unemployment insurance (UI).
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.
Source: 2018 Utah Governor campaign press release
Feb 10, 2017
Jenny Wilson:
More funding for opioid treatment for victims
Wilson charged that both President Trump and Senator Orrin Hatch continue to stall on the opioid crisis. "Every community in Utah is suffering," Wilson said. "The time for talk is over. Where is their plan? Where is the funding? We need a plan and we
need funding now."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.
Source: 2018 Utah Senate campaign website WilsonForSenate.com
Aug 10, 2017
Jenny Wilson:
Supports legalized medical marijuana; it has helped so many
[Citing a Facebook posting from SLTRIB.COM]: "Poll: 3 in 4 Utahns support legalizing medical marijuana Utahns continue to show broad support for a proposed 2018 ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana in the state."
Jenny Wilson for Senate Facebook response: "With so many Utahns helped by legalized medical marijuana, I support this initiative."
Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Utah Senate race
Jan 24, 2018
Jon Huntsman:
End Meth Now: stop the scourge
At the other end of the spectrum, we have worked like never before, at every level of government, to "End Meth Now" and stop the scourge of methamphetamine impacting our families and communities. We have more resources committed than at any other time
to help fight this dangerous, destructive drug. I want my friends at the House of Hope, most of whom are young single mothers recovering from their addictions, to know the full meaning of that word: Hope.
Source: Utah 2008 State of the State address
Jan 22, 2008
Kamala Harris:
Will get rid of cash bail and decriminalize marijuana
We will, on the issue of criminal justice reform, get rid of private prisons and cash bail and we will decriminalize marijuana.
And we will expunge the records of those who have been convicted of marijuana. This is a time for leadership on a tragic, tragic issue.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
Oct 7, 2020
Mike Leavitt:
Drug Courts are working; expand them statewide
One of the most sinister destroyers of families and communities is drugs. Drug courts are a heartening sign that we can turn back the ravages of this sinister trend. It used to be that offenders were sentenced to hard time.
Now, those who go to drug courts are sentenced to change their lives. And the good news is, it is working. Of those who complete Drug Court, 92% are rehabilitated. We need to expand drug courts statewide.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Utah legislature
Jan 16, 2001
Mike Weinholtz:
Treat addiction & mental illness, instead of incarceration
Prescription opioid and heroin abuse are destroying Utah families, [but] we are incarcerating too many people for minor, non-violent offenses. As governor, I will continue to advance reform of our criminal justice system by advocating for treatment of
underlying mental illness and addiction, ensuring adequate indigent defense, creating a real hate crimes law, and ending the school to prison pipeline.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.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
Misty Snow:
Get feds out of the way of states on marijuana policy
Many states have legalized marijuana for either medical or recreational use. In Utah, cannabis oil is legal and is used to treat medical conditions such as epilepsy. A recent survey showed that 64% of Utah residents support legal access medical
marijuana, and it's possible that Utah could legalize other forms of medical marijuana in the very near future. However, even if the use of marijuana was legalized by Utah, marijuana users could still find themselves in trouble with the federal
government.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.
Source: 2016 Utah Senate campaign website MistyKSnow.com
Aug 8, 2016
Phil Lyman:
Protect legal users of medical cannabis from sanctions
The committee gave its support to a bill that would double-down on the state's policy that medical cannabis be treated like any other controlled substance. "It's almost like common sense would tell you if it's legal to use medical marijuana then it
would be legal to have a card that says you can use marijuana. Then you wouldn't have to fear retribution from any employer, let alone a state subdivision employer," said Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding.
Source: FOX13 Salt Lake City on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 19, 2023
Brian King:
Supports crafting a good medical marijuana statute
King said Prop 2 "has some flaws, and some of them are significant. But I'm voting for it because I think the best way of putting in place a good medical marijuana statute is to pass Prop 2, and then address the deficiencies in the regular session in
January." Like about 90 percent of his colleagues in the Legislature, the Democrat is a Latter-day Saint.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Sep 17, 2018
Brian King:
Rated D by NORML: restricted medical marijuana
NORML Politician Info: rated D - Candidate: Brian King (D - UT): Holds office State House District 23; Candidate in race for Governor 2024
- Key votes:
- SB 195: Expands the Ability of Doctors to
Recommend Medical Cannabis to Patients Suffering from Chronic Pain: voted YES
- HB 197: Authorizes the Cultivation and Distribution of Medical Marijuana: voted NO
- HB 195: Authorizes Terminal Ill Individuals to Try Medical Cannabis: voted YES
Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
John Curtis:
Rated C- by NORML: medical marijuana is a state issue
NORML Politician Info: rated C-- Candidate: John Curtis (R-UT): Holds office: US House District 3; Candidate in race for US Senate on Nov. 5, 2024
- Co-sponsored Legislation: H.R.4825 - MEDS Act (2017-
2018)
- Comments:
- "I believe medical marijuana should be a state issue. The state doesn't have as much information as I'd like them to have. If you go too far, you accept some societal harms" (10/23/18)
- "Red tape, bureaucratic
hurdles and arbitrary roadblocks have the capacity to cause great harm to the health and happiness of those suffering from painful disorders and diseases. Anyone taking an honest and thorough look at the potential of medical marijuana must be able to
see through the stigma attached to the plant. To stand in the way of scientific and medical research merely because the idea of marijuana is uncomfortable is a disservice to scientific study and an insult to the infirm." (1/27/18)
Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Utah Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Mitt Romney:
Rated D+ by NORML on marijuana reform
NORML Politician Info: rated D+- Candidate: Mitt Romney (R)
- NORML Summary: Senator Romney's view on cannabis legalization has varied over time and is not quite clear. He has claimed for many years
that marijuana is a gateway drug and the people of Utah do not want it legalized. However, he has recently said he is open to learning more information about the affects of the job.
Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Utah Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Spencer Cox:
Rated B by NORML: supports medical marijuana
NORML Politician Info: rated B- Candidate: Spencer Cox (R-UT): Holds office: Governor; Candidate for Governor on 11/5/2024
- Summary: MEDICAL USE
- Comments: Regarding Medical Marijuana in
Washington State: He said he did not personally celebrate 420, the unofficial marijuana holiday on April 20, nor does he "partake" cannabis. But he added that he has toured the growing and production facilities and spoken with both doctors and patients
and heard largely positive feedback. "As issues rise up, we'll continue to fix those," Cox said. "But again, I think we're doing it the right way and providing relief for those who need it, through the care of a doctor, and not opening the floodgates in
a way that is dangerous." (4/21/22)
- legislation in 2022:
- Signed Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Amendments, SB 46
- Signed Medical Cannabis Access Amendments, SB 195
- Signed Marijuana Definitions Amendments, HB 442
Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026