witchlinblue
12-22-2003, 08:48 PM
Democrats
Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun (Democrat); says she would decriminalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Voted against the HR 3355, the Omnibus Crime Bill, the bill included building more prisons, and eliminate authorization for grants to drug courts (1994). Voted against an amendment to HR 3540, to provide an additional $53 million to international narcotics control programs (1996). Favours reducing prison sentences for those convicted of non-violent crimes. Favours increasing funding for fed. sponsored drug education and treatment programs. Favours increased spending to build more fed. prisons, favours prosecuting youths accused of a felony as adults, favours increased penalties for selling illegal drugs.
General Wesley Clark (Democrat); His comments on drug policy reflect his career in the military. Clark’s support for combating “the flow of drugs from the region through a variety of means, including surveillance, confiscation, crop destruction and efforts at eliminating government corruption.” He told Boston’s National Public Radio affiliate WBUR (early 2003) that he did not “favor decriminalizing the use of marijuana. I might change my mind on that, but I don't right now favor that.”
Governor Howard Dean (Democrat); He opposed a bill to grant terminally ill patients the right to use marijuana medicinally. He recently outlined his plans for medical marijuana on Larry King Live, saying that as president he would “require the FDA within [the] first 12 months to evaluate marijuana and see if it is, in fact, a decent medicine or not.” In a Q&A at DeanVolunteers.org; he described casual drug users as “a public health problem, not a criminal problem, and we ought to approach it using a medical model.” He also spoke out in favor of “drug courts where when drugs are the problem the court has wide discretion to sentence people to rehabilitation.” He also said that he recently became a supporter of treatment instead of jail, declaring that after previously opposing such a policy, he now believes that “the drug problem is so serious that it's smarter frankly to send casual users of serious drugs to rehab rather than jail.” He stressed that he is “not in favor of decriminalizing drugs” but of utilizing “a medical model and not a criminal model for most cases.” In September 2003, the Washington Post wrote that Dean views the “War on Drugs” as a “misguided – not to mention expensive public policy to fight drug addiction with prison sentences. He said he would begin to shift from punishing to rehabilitating drug users, while continuing to punish the ancillary violent crimes that accompany the drug trade. In essence, he said, reducing demand is the critical element that has been ignored in the drug war.” He opposed passage of bill H 645, the Medical Marijuana Bill, which would have protected seriously ill Vermonters from arrest and jail for using medical Marijuana with their doctors recommendation (2002).
Senator John Edwards (Democrat); Told a San Fran audience of reporters, "I wouldn't change the [marijuana] law now, but I would set up a committee to see if pain relief is different with marijuana." According to the Associated Press, Edwards seemed confused by a question posed by a voter about his views on the utility of hemp fiber. "I could tell you, in general, my position about the medical use of marijuana, which is not what you are talking about,” Edwards said. “You are talking about industrialized hemp being used for what?" He voted against an amendment to S 625 that proposed stiffer penalties for amphetamines or methamphetamine manufacturing or trafficking, and possession of powder cocaine (1999). Voted to pass S 254: Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act, allowing U.S. attorneys to prosecute juveniles 14 or older charged with some drug crimes as adults and to authorize more than $5 billion in new spending that could be used for increased enforcement, additional detention facilities, and anti-drug programs (1999). Voted as member of Senate Judiciary Committee to confirm Drug Czar John Walters (2001).
Congressman Dick Gephardt (Democrat); According to Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana, Gephardt responded to an inquiry about medical marijuana during a televised C-SPAN campaign event: "It should be a state issue." At another recent New Hampshire campaign stop, Gephardt was questioned about medical marijuana, to which he replied, "That's what I'm for...states' rights." He then came out in support of federal legislation permitting medical marijuana. He has voted against an amendment to S 1306, which would have barred federal funds from providing drug addicts with clean syringes (1992). Against amendments to HR 2333 & HR 4550, to require random drug testing of State Department and other federal employees (1993; 1998). Against amendments to HR 2264, HR 4380 HR 3717, and HR 4942, which would restrict the funding needle exchange programs by barring the use of state, local, or federal funds (1997; 1998; 1998; & 2000). Against HR 3064: Bill making appropriations for, and providing for the District of Columbia in Fiscal Year 2000, that included provisions to prohibit the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs, prohibits implementing an approved ballot initiative to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana (1999). Voted for H.J. Res. 117, stating Congress's support for the existing prohibition on medical marijuana and opposing efforts to legalize marijuana or other Schedule I drugs for medical use (1998). In favor of HR 3908: Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2000 (Plan Colombia), a bill that included aid to Colombia for counter-narcotics programs (2000). Against an amendment to HR 4690: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that would reduce funding for prisons in favor of Boys and Girls Clubs and drug courts (2000). Abstained from voting in support of House Roll Call vote 420 - Hinchey Amendment for medical marijuana, which would have prohibited the use of federal funds to prevent the implementation of state laws authorizing the use of medical marijuana (2003).
Senator John Kerry (Democrat); Voting record on drug policy issues is mixed, and he has been vague about his position on medical marijuana. According to Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana, at two separate campaign events Kerry described himself as “open to” and “in favor of” medical marijuana. Kerry recently pledged to end DEA raids on medical marijuana users. Voted against an amendment to HR 3540, to provide an additional $53 million to international narcotics control programs (1996). Voted against an amendment to S 625 that proposed stiffer penalties for amphetamines or methamphetamine manufacturing or trafficking, and possession of powder cocaine (1999). Voted to pass S 254: Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act, allowing U.S. attorneys to prosecute juveniles 14 or older charged with some drug crimes as adults and to authorize more than $5 billion in new spending that could be used for increased enforcement, additional detention facilities, and anti-drug programs (1999).
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Democrat); Was one of a few courageous congressmen to speak out on the House floor in favor of states’ rights to adopt medical marijuana laws during the Hinchey Amendment debate. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Kucinich has made “a campaign promise to legalize medical marijuana.” Kucinich has repeatedly said that as president he would immediately sign an executive order permitting the medical use of marijuana. Kucinich has also stated that, as president, he would call for a broad rethinking of anti-drug policies, emphasizing treatment over criminalization. Voted against HR 4550: Drug Demand Reduction Act, to require that anyone hired by the Federal Government is subject to random, unannounced drug testing (1998). Voted against amendments to HR 3717, HR 4380 & HR 4942, which included language barring federal, state, or local funds for funding needle exchange programs (1998; 1998; & 2000). Voted against HR 3064: Bill making appropriations for, and providing for the District of Columbia in Fiscal Year 2000, that included provisions to prohibit the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs, prohibits implementing an approved ballot initiative to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana (1999). Voted against HR 3908: Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2000 (Plan Colombia), a bill that included aid to Colombia for counter-narcotics programs (2000). Voted in favor of an amendment to HR 4690: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that would reduce funding for prisons in favor of Boys and Girls Clubs and drug courts (2000). Voted in favor of House Roll Call vote 420, The Hinchey Amendment for medical marijuana, to prohibit the use of federal funds in preventing the implementation of state laws authorizing medical marijuana use (2003). (Ballot measures in favor of medical marijuana were passed in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington). Voted in favor of H.J. Resolution 117, to oppose efforts to legalize marijuana or other Schedule I drugs for medical use. The resolution condemned efforts to usurp the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration (1998).
Senator Joseph Lieberman (Democrat); As a legislator, Lieberman has voted against legalizing medical marijuana and for increased penalties for drug users. On the campaign trail, Lieberman has refined his stance on medical marijuana, telling supporters that he would “probably” sign legislation to allow seriously ill people to use medical marijuana with their doctor’s approval. Lieberman told a New Hampshire audience that it is "humane and sensible" to permit some doctor-supervised medical-marijuana use as a last resort when other treatments fail. Lieberman also said that, under his administration, "[c]racking down on sick people... would not be a priority." Voted against an amendment to HR 3540: Fiscal 1997 Foreign Operations Appropriations, to provide an additional $53 million to international narcotics control programs (1996). Voted to pass HR 3355: The Omnibus Crime Bill, a $22 billion anti-crime bill. The bill included provisions to build more prisons; limit sentencing alternatives for people convicted of many crimes; institute three-strikes-and-you're-out provisions; and eliminate authorization for grants to drug courts (1994). Co-sponsored S.J. Res. 56, a Senate resolution condemning state efforts to legalize medical use of marijuana. Lieberman is the only Democrat now running who co-sponsored this harmful resolution (1998). Voted to pass S 254: Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act, allowing U.S. attorneys to prosecute juveniles 14 or older charged with some drug crimes as adults and to authorize more than $5 billion in new spending that could be used for increased enforcement, additional detention facilities, and anti-drug programs (1999). Voted in favor of an amendment to S 625 that proposed stiffer penalties for amphetamines or methamphetamine manufacturing or trafficking, and possession of powder cocaine (1999). Co-sponsored S 2633, The RAVE Act, an attempt by legislators to stamp out Ecstasy use by equating music clubs that host raves with crack-houses and threatening to jail and seize the property of club owners (2002).
Reverend Al Sharpton (Democrat); Helped found the National Youth Movement and the National Action Network, both of which have sought an end to drug addiction. Sharpton has worked extensively with activists seeking to reform New York’s harsh Rockefeller drug laws. In his 2002 book Al on America, Sharpton writes: “The priority [in the ‘War on Drugs’] seems to be to lock up the low-level guys, many under federal mandatory drug sentencing laws who are caught with a small quantity of crack. Now, I don't condone the actions of that guy, but why should he spend a minimum of 5 to 10 years in jail for a small quantity of crack the size of a ‘Sweet `N Low’ packet, while the drug lord doesn't face any mandatory time? There's something wrong with that picture” .
Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun (Democrat); says she would decriminalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Voted against the HR 3355, the Omnibus Crime Bill, the bill included building more prisons, and eliminate authorization for grants to drug courts (1994). Voted against an amendment to HR 3540, to provide an additional $53 million to international narcotics control programs (1996). Favours reducing prison sentences for those convicted of non-violent crimes. Favours increasing funding for fed. sponsored drug education and treatment programs. Favours increased spending to build more fed. prisons, favours prosecuting youths accused of a felony as adults, favours increased penalties for selling illegal drugs.
General Wesley Clark (Democrat); His comments on drug policy reflect his career in the military. Clark’s support for combating “the flow of drugs from the region through a variety of means, including surveillance, confiscation, crop destruction and efforts at eliminating government corruption.” He told Boston’s National Public Radio affiliate WBUR (early 2003) that he did not “favor decriminalizing the use of marijuana. I might change my mind on that, but I don't right now favor that.”
Governor Howard Dean (Democrat); He opposed a bill to grant terminally ill patients the right to use marijuana medicinally. He recently outlined his plans for medical marijuana on Larry King Live, saying that as president he would “require the FDA within [the] first 12 months to evaluate marijuana and see if it is, in fact, a decent medicine or not.” In a Q&A at DeanVolunteers.org; he described casual drug users as “a public health problem, not a criminal problem, and we ought to approach it using a medical model.” He also spoke out in favor of “drug courts where when drugs are the problem the court has wide discretion to sentence people to rehabilitation.” He also said that he recently became a supporter of treatment instead of jail, declaring that after previously opposing such a policy, he now believes that “the drug problem is so serious that it's smarter frankly to send casual users of serious drugs to rehab rather than jail.” He stressed that he is “not in favor of decriminalizing drugs” but of utilizing “a medical model and not a criminal model for most cases.” In September 2003, the Washington Post wrote that Dean views the “War on Drugs” as a “misguided – not to mention expensive public policy to fight drug addiction with prison sentences. He said he would begin to shift from punishing to rehabilitating drug users, while continuing to punish the ancillary violent crimes that accompany the drug trade. In essence, he said, reducing demand is the critical element that has been ignored in the drug war.” He opposed passage of bill H 645, the Medical Marijuana Bill, which would have protected seriously ill Vermonters from arrest and jail for using medical Marijuana with their doctors recommendation (2002).
Senator John Edwards (Democrat); Told a San Fran audience of reporters, "I wouldn't change the [marijuana] law now, but I would set up a committee to see if pain relief is different with marijuana." According to the Associated Press, Edwards seemed confused by a question posed by a voter about his views on the utility of hemp fiber. "I could tell you, in general, my position about the medical use of marijuana, which is not what you are talking about,” Edwards said. “You are talking about industrialized hemp being used for what?" He voted against an amendment to S 625 that proposed stiffer penalties for amphetamines or methamphetamine manufacturing or trafficking, and possession of powder cocaine (1999). Voted to pass S 254: Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act, allowing U.S. attorneys to prosecute juveniles 14 or older charged with some drug crimes as adults and to authorize more than $5 billion in new spending that could be used for increased enforcement, additional detention facilities, and anti-drug programs (1999). Voted as member of Senate Judiciary Committee to confirm Drug Czar John Walters (2001).
Congressman Dick Gephardt (Democrat); According to Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana, Gephardt responded to an inquiry about medical marijuana during a televised C-SPAN campaign event: "It should be a state issue." At another recent New Hampshire campaign stop, Gephardt was questioned about medical marijuana, to which he replied, "That's what I'm for...states' rights." He then came out in support of federal legislation permitting medical marijuana. He has voted against an amendment to S 1306, which would have barred federal funds from providing drug addicts with clean syringes (1992). Against amendments to HR 2333 & HR 4550, to require random drug testing of State Department and other federal employees (1993; 1998). Against amendments to HR 2264, HR 4380 HR 3717, and HR 4942, which would restrict the funding needle exchange programs by barring the use of state, local, or federal funds (1997; 1998; 1998; & 2000). Against HR 3064: Bill making appropriations for, and providing for the District of Columbia in Fiscal Year 2000, that included provisions to prohibit the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs, prohibits implementing an approved ballot initiative to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana (1999). Voted for H.J. Res. 117, stating Congress's support for the existing prohibition on medical marijuana and opposing efforts to legalize marijuana or other Schedule I drugs for medical use (1998). In favor of HR 3908: Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2000 (Plan Colombia), a bill that included aid to Colombia for counter-narcotics programs (2000). Against an amendment to HR 4690: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that would reduce funding for prisons in favor of Boys and Girls Clubs and drug courts (2000). Abstained from voting in support of House Roll Call vote 420 - Hinchey Amendment for medical marijuana, which would have prohibited the use of federal funds to prevent the implementation of state laws authorizing the use of medical marijuana (2003).
Senator John Kerry (Democrat); Voting record on drug policy issues is mixed, and he has been vague about his position on medical marijuana. According to Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana, at two separate campaign events Kerry described himself as “open to” and “in favor of” medical marijuana. Kerry recently pledged to end DEA raids on medical marijuana users. Voted against an amendment to HR 3540, to provide an additional $53 million to international narcotics control programs (1996). Voted against an amendment to S 625 that proposed stiffer penalties for amphetamines or methamphetamine manufacturing or trafficking, and possession of powder cocaine (1999). Voted to pass S 254: Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act, allowing U.S. attorneys to prosecute juveniles 14 or older charged with some drug crimes as adults and to authorize more than $5 billion in new spending that could be used for increased enforcement, additional detention facilities, and anti-drug programs (1999).
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Democrat); Was one of a few courageous congressmen to speak out on the House floor in favor of states’ rights to adopt medical marijuana laws during the Hinchey Amendment debate. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Kucinich has made “a campaign promise to legalize medical marijuana.” Kucinich has repeatedly said that as president he would immediately sign an executive order permitting the medical use of marijuana. Kucinich has also stated that, as president, he would call for a broad rethinking of anti-drug policies, emphasizing treatment over criminalization. Voted against HR 4550: Drug Demand Reduction Act, to require that anyone hired by the Federal Government is subject to random, unannounced drug testing (1998). Voted against amendments to HR 3717, HR 4380 & HR 4942, which included language barring federal, state, or local funds for funding needle exchange programs (1998; 1998; & 2000). Voted against HR 3064: Bill making appropriations for, and providing for the District of Columbia in Fiscal Year 2000, that included provisions to prohibit the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs, prohibits implementing an approved ballot initiative to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana (1999). Voted against HR 3908: Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2000 (Plan Colombia), a bill that included aid to Colombia for counter-narcotics programs (2000). Voted in favor of an amendment to HR 4690: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that would reduce funding for prisons in favor of Boys and Girls Clubs and drug courts (2000). Voted in favor of House Roll Call vote 420, The Hinchey Amendment for medical marijuana, to prohibit the use of federal funds in preventing the implementation of state laws authorizing medical marijuana use (2003). (Ballot measures in favor of medical marijuana were passed in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington). Voted in favor of H.J. Resolution 117, to oppose efforts to legalize marijuana or other Schedule I drugs for medical use. The resolution condemned efforts to usurp the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration (1998).
Senator Joseph Lieberman (Democrat); As a legislator, Lieberman has voted against legalizing medical marijuana and for increased penalties for drug users. On the campaign trail, Lieberman has refined his stance on medical marijuana, telling supporters that he would “probably” sign legislation to allow seriously ill people to use medical marijuana with their doctor’s approval. Lieberman told a New Hampshire audience that it is "humane and sensible" to permit some doctor-supervised medical-marijuana use as a last resort when other treatments fail. Lieberman also said that, under his administration, "[c]racking down on sick people... would not be a priority." Voted against an amendment to HR 3540: Fiscal 1997 Foreign Operations Appropriations, to provide an additional $53 million to international narcotics control programs (1996). Voted to pass HR 3355: The Omnibus Crime Bill, a $22 billion anti-crime bill. The bill included provisions to build more prisons; limit sentencing alternatives for people convicted of many crimes; institute three-strikes-and-you're-out provisions; and eliminate authorization for grants to drug courts (1994). Co-sponsored S.J. Res. 56, a Senate resolution condemning state efforts to legalize medical use of marijuana. Lieberman is the only Democrat now running who co-sponsored this harmful resolution (1998). Voted to pass S 254: Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act, allowing U.S. attorneys to prosecute juveniles 14 or older charged with some drug crimes as adults and to authorize more than $5 billion in new spending that could be used for increased enforcement, additional detention facilities, and anti-drug programs (1999). Voted in favor of an amendment to S 625 that proposed stiffer penalties for amphetamines or methamphetamine manufacturing or trafficking, and possession of powder cocaine (1999). Co-sponsored S 2633, The RAVE Act, an attempt by legislators to stamp out Ecstasy use by equating music clubs that host raves with crack-houses and threatening to jail and seize the property of club owners (2002).
Reverend Al Sharpton (Democrat); Helped found the National Youth Movement and the National Action Network, both of which have sought an end to drug addiction. Sharpton has worked extensively with activists seeking to reform New York’s harsh Rockefeller drug laws. In his 2002 book Al on America, Sharpton writes: “The priority [in the ‘War on Drugs’] seems to be to lock up the low-level guys, many under federal mandatory drug sentencing laws who are caught with a small quantity of crack. Now, I don't condone the actions of that guy, but why should he spend a minimum of 5 to 10 years in jail for a small quantity of crack the size of a ‘Sweet `N Low’ packet, while the drug lord doesn't face any mandatory time? There's something wrong with that picture” .