John Fleming on Drugs

OpEd: One of few remaining "reefer madness" legislators

One marijuana advocate claimed that the contest is "the only senate race that keeps me up at night" because of its potential of sending a new ardent prohibitionist to the chamber. Due to Senate rules, just one member can hold things up and cause considerable problems for reform efforts. "There are only a handful of old school reefer madness legislators willing to fight left in Congress," the advocate said. "Fleming is one of them."

Also running in the primary is Congressman Charles Boustany (R), who also consistently votes against marijuana law reform efforts but isn't nearly as vocal about it as Fleming is.

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.

Disallow buying marijuana with food stamps.

Congressional Summary:To prohibit the use of [food stamp and welfare] benefits to purchase marijuana products, to prohibit assistance provided under block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF} from being accessed through the use of an electronic benefit transfer card at any store that offers marijuana for sale. States that have not implemented such policies shall have the amount of their family assistance grants reduced by 5%.

Argument In Favor: [Countable.us]: Prohibits using funds from assistance programs like TANF and SNAP (food stamps) to purchase marijuana sold at legal dispensaries. Aids in preventing misuse of assistance funds. Reinforces existing USDA guidelines in regard to what is or is not eligible for SNAP benefits.

Political Argument Opposed: [Countable.us]: It is impossible to use SNAP benefits to purchase legal marijuana. Much of the furor over this issue originates from a single, satirical article published by political satire web publication `the National Report.` The story was picked up by numerous social media sites, many of which believed welfare recipients were using funds from assistance programs to purchase marijuana. In regard to TANF, where cash assistance is provided, this is possible. In regard to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, it is not.

Legal Argument Opposed: [ACLU March 2, 2012]: Drug testing welfare recipients as a condition of eligibility is a policy that is scientifically, fiscally, and constitutionally unsound:

• Science and medical experts overwhelmingly oppose the drug testing of welfare recipients [because] the stigma associated with testing impacted those on welfare negatively.
• Random drug testing of welfare recipients is fiscally irresponsible: Drug testing is expensive.
• Random drug testing of welfare recipients is likely unconstitutional under both the U.S. Constitution and some state constitutions: