Ron Johnson on Drugs | |
(VIDEO CLIP): TRUMP: When I was in China and other places, I said, "Mr. President, do you have a drug problem?" "No, no, no, we do not." I said, "huh, big country, 1.4 billion people, right? Not much a drug problem." I said, "What do you attribute that to?" "Well, the death penalty." So, honestly, I don't know that the United States, frankly, is ready for it. They should be ready for it.
(END VIDEO) Q: Now, the death penalty for drug dealers, is that something that you agree with? And should we be following China's lead when it comes to criminal justice?
JOHNSON: I would say we probably should not be following China's lead when it comes to criminal justice. I'm a supporter of the death penalty, but only in those types of instances where we absolutely are 100% certain that the person is 100% guilty. I'm not sure it would be applicable to drug offenses.
Feingold: Voted earlier for lower drug sentences, but unclear position on legalization.
Johnson: Opposes recreational legalization, but open to seeing results in states that have approved it.
[Ron Johnson said in his opening statement]: "America's borders are not secure. One key indicator is the fact that we are interdicting only 5% to 10% of illegal drugs crossing our southwest border. The declining price of heroin--from a nationwide average of $3,260 per gram of pure heroin in 1981 to $465 in 2012--is a metric that proves the point. Our unsecure Arizona-Mexico border has become a gateway for drug traffickers to distribute illicit drugs across the country."
OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2016 NORML scores as follows:
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.
The American Family Association Action Voter Guide asked if candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Marijuana should be legalized and regulated like tobacco and alcohol.' American Family Association Action (AFA Action) produces the online "iVoterGuide" for selected state and federal races. The mission of AFA Action is to inform and mobilize individuals to strengthen the biblical foundations of America.