John Curtis on Drugs

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)

Marijuana banking bill gives safe harbor for businesses

Rep. John Curtis echoed the states' rights argument in a statement issued after his vote to support the bill. "Utah has spoken and the state's medicinal cannabis program is greatly complicated without a safe harbor for institutions that provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses," he said.

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