Martin Heinrich on Drugs

Rated A- by NORML: the War on Drugs has not made us safer

NORML Politician Info: rated A-
• Candidate: Martin Heinrich (D-NM): Holds office: US Senate; Candidate for Senate on Nov. 5, 2024
• Summary: LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE/DECRIMINALIZE/MEDICAL USE
• Position on Marijuana Legalization: Admitted to smoking marijuana in the past, supports federal legalization.
• Position on Marijuana Decriminalization: Thinks legalization will come down the road, but for now, marijuana should be decriminalized.
• Comments:
• "Draconian laws spurred by the War on Drugs have not made us safer. Instead, people of color are arrested for cannabis possession at disproportionate rates and taxpayer money is wasted on incarceration. We've already legalized it in NM, it's time to legalize it across the U.S." (9/10/23).
• "Legalizing marijuana will create new economic opportunities for New Mexico and help us get one step closer to ending the failed War on Drugs." (3/11/21).

It's time to legalize marijuana

Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. "It's time to legalize marijuana."

Gary Johnson (L): Yes. Long-time advocate for legalization.

Mick Rich (R): Opposes legalizing recreational use.

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.