Susan Collins on Drugs

	Susan Collins on Drugs Republican Jr Senator (ME)

Medical marijuana ok; but no marijuana banking

Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2017)
Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
Voted against allowing banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2016)

Source: Cannabis Voter Project report on 2020 candidates , Jul 2, 2019

Declines to take sides in marijuana legalization petition

A national organization that helped successfully campaign for legalization of recreational pot use in Portland last year plans to target Lewiston, South Portland and York this fall as it lays the groundwork for a statewide legalization campaign in 2016. The Marijuana Policy Project plans to conduct petition drives to put the question to voters in the three communities in an effort to keep the legalization debate moving in Maine.

A spokesman for Susan Collins said: "While Sen. Collins believes that the president and Congress should be focusing like a laser on jobs and the economy, she would look for guidance from Maine's law enforcement and medical communities in the unlikely event that legalization legislation is debated by the full Senate." Collins' office did not respond to subsequent questions about whether she would support legalization in Maine. She has avoided taking sides in statewide referendum campaigns in the past.

Source: Portland Press Herald on 2014 Maine Senate race , Jan 21, 2014

Provide prison inmates with drug addiction treatment

Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
Support strict penalties for internet crime (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
Require that crimes based on sexual orientation be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.

Source: Maine Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test , Jun 18, 2008

Rated B- by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance.

Collins scores B- by the NORML on drug reform

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)

About NORML (from their website, www.norml.org):

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.

Source: NORML website 16_NORML on Nov 8, 2016

Require chemical resellers to certify against meth use.

Collins co-sponsored requiring chemical resellers to certify against meth use

Sen. FEINSTEIN: This act is designed to address problems that the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, has identified in the implementation of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005. The bill that I introduce today would:

clarify that all retailers, including mail order retailers, who sell products that contain chemicals often used to make methamphetamine--like ephedrine, pseudoepedrine and phenylpropanolamine--must self-certify that they have trained their personnel and will comply with the Combat Meth Act`s requirements;
require distributors to sell these products only to retailers who have certified that they will comply with the law;
require the DEA to publish the list of all retailers who have filed self-certifications, on the DEA`s website;
and clarify that any retailer who negligently fails to file self-certification as required, may be subject to civil fines and penalties.

The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act that we passed last year has been a resounding success. The number of methamphetamine labs in the United States has declined dramatically now that the ingredients used to make methamphetamine are harder to get. Fewer meth labs means more than just less illegal drug production. In 2003, 3,663 children were reported exposed to toxic meth labs nationwide--but so far this year, the number of exposed children is only 319.

This is a common-sense bill, designed to strengthen the implementation of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. This bill would create incentives to ensure that the self-certification process of the law is made both effective and enforceable. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Source: Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act (S.2071) 2007-S2071 on Sep 19, 2007