Bob Ferguson on Drugs

	Bob Ferguson on Drugs

Rated F by NORML: stiffen penalties for cannabis

NORML Politician Info:

Candidate: Bob Ferguson (D - WA): Holds office Attorney General
Position on Marijuana Legalization: Signed onto letter asking Congress to stiffen penalties for cannabis

Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race , Aug 8, 2024

Accountability for those who deal or supply drugs illegally

In his first television ad, Mullet jabs Ferguson for his calling in 2021 for the elimination of criminal penalties for possessing "non-commercial" amounts of illegal drugs -- in line with a policy that Oregon adopted but has since walked back.

Ferguson, in an emailed statement, didn't directly respond to Mullet's criticism of his 2021 positions on drug decriminalization. Instead, he noted his stance last year on a bill lawmakers approved to overhaul the state's drug possession law. "I supported restoring criminal penalties for simple drug possession, prioritizing treatment, and holding individuals accountable for selling drugs, engaging in public drug use, and refusing court-ordered treatment," he said.

He also said he has "always demanded accountability for those who deal or supply drugs illegally or unethically -- whether on the street or in corporate boardrooms," noting $1.2 billion in legal settlements his office had won from companies with ties to the opioid sector.

Source: Washington State Standard AdWatch on 2024 Governor race , Apr 26, 2024

Prepared to defend state marijuana legalization against DOJ

Washington state officials, including Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson, are vowing to defend the state's pot laws as federal changes are planned, after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded Justice Department policies under President Obama that allowed state-sanctioned marijuana markets to sprout up across the country.

"We will use every single power at our disposal to preserve and protect the mission statement Washington State voters gave us,” said Gov. Jay Inslee, at a news conference at the state capitol, noting that voters approved the initiative legalizing marijuana in Washington state.

While Ferguson said he didn't know whether Washington would take any legal steps against Sessions' action, his office has spent years preparing. "Take my word for it, but my legal team has been very focused on this issue from the day marijuana was legalized in Washington state five years ago," Ferguson said, adding later: "Our legal arguments have been crafted; we are prepared."

Source: The Seattle Times on 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race , Jan 4, 2018

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*Other governors on Drugs:*			*Bob Ferguson on other issues:*
*WA Gubernatorial:* Dave Reichert Hilary Franz Jay Inslee Mark Mullet Semi Bird *WA Senatorial:* Maria Cantwell Patty Murray Raul Garcia Tiffany Smiley	*Gubernatorial Debates 2023:* KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D) vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R) vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R) LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited) vs.Jeff Landry(R) vs.Shawn Wilson(D) vs.John Schroder(R) vs.Sharon Hewitt(R) MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R) vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew) vs.Brandon Presley(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2024:* DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited); vs. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. County Exec. Matt Meyer (D) vs. State Rep.Mike Ramone (R) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); vs. Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Eric Doden (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Attorney General Curtis Hill (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): vs. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. State Senator Bill Eigel (R) vs. Lt.Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D) vs. State Rep. Tanner Smith (R, lost June 4 primary)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); vs. Lt.Gov. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Attorney General Josh Stein (D) vs. Treasurer Dale Folwell (R, lost March 5 primary) vs. Justice Michael Morgan (D, lost March 5 primary) vs. State Senator Andy Wells (R,withdrew) vs. Rep.Mark Walker (R, withdrew) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R, retiring) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) vs. U.S.Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R) vs. State Sen.Merrill Piepkorn (D) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. U.S.Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Mayor Joyce Craig (D) vs. Acting Gov.Chuck Morse (R) vs. Exec.Councilor Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) vs. Minority Leader Brian King (D) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) vs. Lt.Gov.David Zuckerman (D, withdrew) vs. Selectman Peter Duval (D) vs. Commissioner Esther Charlestin (D) WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); vs. Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) vs. U.S.Rep.Dave Reichert (R) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. Hilary Franz (D, withdrew to run for U.S.Rep.) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D) vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R, lost May 14 primary) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R, lost May 14 primary)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]