A little hazy on where the presidential candidates stand on recreational use of marijuana? There is a scorecard for that.
Last week, the anti-pot legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana gave a grade to each of the major players in the 2016 field regarding their stand on policies against the legalization of cannabis. Fifteen Republicans and three Democrats were examined.
“It’s important that the American people understand where the candidates stand on issues related to marijuana,” said Kevin Sabet, president of SAM. “Unlike in 2012, there are critical issues that candidates need to be aware of, not the least of which is the creation of a new, massive Big Marijuana industry that is taking pages right out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. Our scorecard will keep the candidates accountable.”
The report evaluated the candidates on where they stand on three criteria:
- “Opposition to marijuana legalization for recreational purposes.”
- “Support of prevention, intervention, and treatment for marijuana use.”
- “Regulated, FDA-approved approach to legitimate medical use of marijuana components.”
Leading the pack are Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Chris Christie and former neurosurgeon Ben Carson, all Republicans and each receiving an “A” rating. All three candidates oppose legalizing recreational pot and are in favor of limited medical marijuana use.
Close behind are Republican Govs. John Kasich and Bobby Jindal and former Sen. Rick Santorum, all receiving a “B+” rating.
Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton received a “B-“, boosted by her “laudable” $10 billion plan to battle drug abuse and mental illness and the cautious stance on medical marijuana, but hurt by her stated willingness to allow Colorado’s foray into legal recreational marijuana to continue.
Donald Trump, the long-time Republican front-runner in the polls, earned a “C+” grade. He has said he opposes pot legalization, but would allow the states to decide its fate. The media mogul and billionaire businessman also said he supports medical marijuana programs.
Sitting in last place are Sens. Rand Paul and Bernie Sanders.
Paul, a Republican with libertarian views, said he believes the decision to legalize recreational pot should be left up to the states and that they should lessen state-sponsored restriction on state-licensed marijuana businesses. These enterprises, Paul said, should have access to banking services. He has also introduced legislation to ban the federal government’s ability to prosecute medical marijuana users in states where it has been legalized.
SAM awarded Paul a measly “D-” grade, but did applaud the Kentucky senator for his efforts to put a stop to the incarceration for personal possession of the drug.
In dead last is Sanders, who boasts an “F” rating. The Vermont senator wants to ban all federal restrictions on marijuana and remove it from the list of controlled substances all together. He also backs medical marijuana programs.
The report said that “While his interest in alternatives to incarceration of drug users is positive, his stance on legalization ironically would undermine his desire to reduce the power of Wall Street.”
The full scorecard is available here.
Though possession and use of marijuana is forbidden under federal law, the Obama administration announced in 2013 it would not challenge laws legalizing weed for adults in the states. Currently there are four states that have legalized recreational and medical marijuana: Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.
