Marsha Blackburn on Drugs Republican Representative (TN-7)

Rated D+ by NORM: rescheduling cannabis is irresponsible

NORML Politician Info: rated D+
• Candidate: Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): Holds office: US Senate; Candidate for Senate on Nov. 5, 2024
• NORML Summary: Sen. Blackburn has expressed concern for rescheduling marijuana and has made it known that she is open to reviewing scientific evidence surrounding the medical benefits of marijuana.
• Comments:
• Sen. Blackburn signed a letter with 13 others that recommending cannabis to be rescheduled is "irresponsible." (9/11/23)
• "Marsha believes legalizing drugs would be a mistake but would be open to medical cannabis," (9/27/18)
• Q: Would you increase veteran access to medical marijuana?
  A: "I do not know about supporting medical cannabis for veterans without research. I support having a waiver given so NIH can conduct research." (9/27/18)
• Votes:
• Veterans Equal Access Amendment: voted No
• McClintock/Polis Amendment: voted No
• Rohrabacher/Farr Amendment: voted No

Opposed rescheduling marijuana as less dangerous

Excerpts from the letter:

"Current research, science, and trends support the case that marijuana should remain a Schedule I drug. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), research suggests that 30% of marijuana users have marijuana use disorder, which includes individuals who are severely addicted to the drug. It is estimated that today’s marijuana has three times the amount of THC compared to the marijuana consumed 25 years ago. A higher concentration of THC is likely linked to higher rates of addiction. These facts indicate that marijuana has a high potential for abuse and that the risk is only increasing."

Stiffer penalties for deceptively trafficking in fentanyl

"What fentanyl has done to Tennesseans, families & communities is just devastating, and those criminals responsible for distributing these drugs must face serious penalties. Addressing the opioid crisis requires a multifaceted approach from officials at the local, state and national levels. [Let's] combat the tragic reality of opioid addiction and to hold drug traffickers accountable for their dangerous conduct," said Blackburn.

Dealers who intentionally misrepresent their product as a non-fentanyl substance would face a 20-year sentence. If the dealers intentionally included fentanyl to cause death--to increase the reputation of their product's potency--then the offense becomes death penalty eligible.

Don't loosen federal regulations marijuana

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Has voted against loosening federal regulations.

Phil Bredesen (D): Unclear on legalization but "federal government should give states the rights to make those decisions."

Rated -20 by NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance.

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2006 NORML scores as follows:

• -30 to -10: `hard-on-drugs` stance (approx. 228 members)
• -9 to +9: mixed record on drug reform (approx. 37 members)
• +10 to +30: pro-drug-reform stance (approx. 109 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.

Rated 0% by NORML, indicating an anti-legalization stance.

Scoring system for 2014: Ranges from 0% (opposes all forms of marijuana decriminalization) to 75% (supports marijuana decriminalization and legalization).

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. 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.

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.

Sponsored bill for combatting epidemic of synthetic drugs.

GovTrack.us Summary: (SITSA): There are more than 400 known types of synthetic--or `artificial`--drugs, which mimic the effects of substances including cocaine and ecstasy. They`ve largely begun to flood the market in recent years. The bill outlaws 13 different synthetic drugs of the most pernicious varieties. There are more than 400 known types of synthetic--or `artificial`--drugs, which mimic the effects of substances including cocaine and ecstasy. They`ve largely begun to flood the market in recent years.

GovTrack Pro/Con: Supporters argue the legislation will tackle a growing scourge in a far more timely and immediate manner than what the lagging DEA is usually able to accomplish. Opponents argue the bill would too greatly expand Attorney General Jeff Sessions` ability to criminalize drugs and impose unnecessarily punitive mandatory sentences, according to a letter signed by dozens of organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Human Rights Watch, and NAACP.Opponent`s argument to vote NO Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY): The bill would explicitly impose mandatory minimum terms of supervised release which undermines the discretion of judges who are in the best position to make such determinations based on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Legislative outcome: House Bill Passed 239-142-46, Roll Number 268 on June 15, 2018