Gary Peters on Drugs

When marijuana legalized, should be regulated and taxed

Gary Peters: Yes. Says "when it is legalized, it is regulated and it is taxed and it helps with paying for public services like public education."

John James: No. Said would vote no on 2018 state proposal to legalize recreational marijuana but would "respect the will of the voters."

Implement voter legalization of medical marijuana

The two candidates have become cartoon caricatures of their respective parties. Peters gets painted as a flaming liberal who kowtows to the "socialist" liberal agenda and Raczkowski is deemed a tin-foil hat wearing ultra right-wing lunatic. Case in point: this Freep summation of their positions on the only other 3 issues in this election:

• Health care reform
  Peters: Supported
  Raczkowski: Wants to repeal
• Gays in the military
  Peters: Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy
  Raczkowski: Keep the policy
• Federal enforcement of medical marijuana laws
  Peters: Wants Michigan voters' legalization of medical marijuana implemented without federal interference
  Raczkowski: Wants no further expansion of medical marijuana law

Rated D by NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance.

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2016 NORML scores as follows:

• C-/D/F: `hard-on-drugs` stance (approx. 243 members)
• C: mixed record on drug reform (approx. 45 members)
• A/B: pro-drug-reform stance (approx. 293 members)

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law`s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.

NORML is a nonprofit, public-interest lobby that for more than 30 years has provided a voice for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition. We represent the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly and believe the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana should no longer be a crime.

NORML supports the removal of all criminal penalties for the private possession & responsible use of marijuana by adults, including the cultivation for personal use, and the casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts. This model is called `decriminalization.`

NORML additionally supports the development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could purchase it from a safe, legal and regulated source. This model is referred to as `legalization.`

NORML believes that marijuana smoking is not for kids and should only be used responsibly by adults. As with alcohol consumption, it must never be an excuse for misconduct or other bad behavior. Driving or operating heavy equipment while impaired from marijuana should be prohibited.

NORML strongly supports the right of patients to use marijuana as a medicine when their physician recommends it to relieve pain and suffering.

Lastly, NORML supports the right of farmers to commercially cultivate hemp for industrial purposes, such as food and fiber production.