Jon Tester on Drugs Democratic Jr Senator

Rated B+ by NORML: legalize marijuana, and tax it

NORML Politician Info: rated B+
• Candidate: Jon Tester (D - MT)
  Holds office U.S. Senate; Candidate in race for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
• Summary: LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE MEDICAL USE
• Biography: Senator Jon Tester supports well-researched cannabis regulation that promotes safe access to marijuana and policies that make banking resources available to legal cannabis businesses.
• Comments: "As a third-generation Montana farmer, I know how important it is for small businesses in rural America to have access to banking services. I've supported this effort since 2019, and I'm proud to support the bipartisan SAFER Banking Act because it's a commonsense fix that will allow legally-operated Montana small businesses to access the financial services they need to thrive, while also making our communities safer by cutting down on cash-motivated crimes." (September 27, 2023).

Supports medical and recreational marijuana

• Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
• Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
• Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
• Allow States To Legalize Recreational Cannabis
• Cosponsored the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015, which would have ended the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2015)
• 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. (2016)
• Voted in favor of allowing banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2016)
• Said he's "not too crazy about full legalization" but "state's rights do need to be respected in this situation and there's plenty of argument out there that says that alcohol is far worse than marijuana and I will tell you that's hard to debate."

Medical marijuana ok; full legalization later

Matt Rosendale (R): Supports medical marijuana. State should determine recreational use.

Jon Tester (D): Supports medical use. Feds need to respect vote. Hesitant about full legalization, but alcohol arguably worse.

Tough penalties for manufacturing & selling drugs

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