Medical Marijuana Grades: Kucinich, M-B, Clark, Kerry...

[Jerseycoa]

Source: Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana

Candidates Grades

Kucinich: A+
Moseley-Braun: A
Clark: B+
Kerry: B+
Sharpton: B
Dean: C
Lieberman: C
Edwards: D-
Bush: F

Gephardt: B- downgraded to "?"



Source: Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana

Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM) announced today that it is giving the Democratic presidential candidates a final deadline. Any candidate who does not unequivocally pledge by January 1, 2004, to stop the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA's) raids on medical marijuana patients will receive a failing grade in GSMM's voter guide.

"We have been extremely patient with these candidates," said GSMM Campaign Coordinator Aaron Houston. "We've talked to them, educated them, given them reams of information, and adjusted their grades upward when they took even small steps forward, but frankly, it's time to put up or shut up. It's time for them to say clearly whether they will end the Bush administration's war on the sick."

So far, five of the nine Democratic presidential candidates have said they would end the DEA's raids on seriously ill patients who use medical marijuana legally under state law: U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark (D-AR), U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), former Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun (D-IL), and Rev. Al Sharpton (D-NY). While only five candidates have explicitly pledged to stop the raids, most of the others have made positive but vague statements about medical marijuana at some point along the campaign trail.

:dem:

[Virgil]

1. Thanks for putting this up

I follow the cannabis issue closely and this is the first link to such a good summary of the candidates position. I gave your link here credit for the source in this comment at cannabisnews.com- http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17968.shtml#40

[Jerseycoa]

2. Great

Get the word around. It is a very important issue.

[WiseMen]

4. KERRY has shown the courage to speak straight

On dangerous issues such as Medial Pot and the Cuba embargo.

I attended a fundraiser in which he was amazingly frank about
these types of issues. There seem no political calculation, just straight "this is my opinion."

[JohnKleeb]

5. I dont support Kerry but

:thumbsup: for the reasonable positions here. I do like him as a second choice.

[Jerseycoa]

8. Clark and Kerry

do seem to have a lot in common. I didn't know Kerry had come out on the Cuba embargo, but Clark has. Thanks.

[blm]

35. Clark has aligned himself alot with Kerry's policies.

There are a couple here and there where they differ, like flag burning, but overall, they are very much aligned.

I don't think that's just a coincidence, either. Clark was one of the few who backed up Kerry when he was advocating for gays to serve openly in the military.

[jmaier]

3. Thanks

It's nice to see a concise posting contrasting the candidates on a specific issue instead of the usual nonsense.

X said this.
No he didn't.
Your guy lies.
Well, your guy isn't even smart enough to lie.



Wes Clark: A Man for ALL Reasons

[K-W]

6. I like how strong they are overall

Kucinich: A+
Moseley-Braun: A
Clark: B+
Kerry: B+
Sharpton: B
Dean: C
Lieberman: C
Edwards: D-
Bush: F
Gephardt: B- downgraded to "?"


Thats a 2.8 GPA for the democratic field. Not too shabby. The only part thats worrisome is the Dean C. But a C isnt a D or an F.

[Jerseycoa]

7. Actually

He had an F but worked at it, to his credit.

[leftofthedial]

9. Once again, DK is the best on progressive issues

How this primary season and this board could have devolved into pissing matches between advocates of two conservative candidates with little to distinguish between them is a mystery.

Dennis is the true liberal's choice.

[Beaker]

10. In an ideal world, Kucinich would be the ideal candidate.

unfortunately, we don't- and most likely never will- but definitely not by Nov.2.

[Kanary]

19. He's the best.... but we can't have the best.

Interesting for a country that considers itself #1.

Some of us think we *deserve* the best, and won't settle that easily.

sigh....

[Mairead]

27. Yeah we can, Kanary

Don't compromise yourself--you're all you've got.

[Kanary]

36. Ummm, I refuse to compromise myself :)

I signed up long ago, Mairead... notice my avatar?

I guess my bit of sarcasm didn't go over so well.... that'll learn me... :)

I just reached a bit of impatience with the "we're not ready for him" line... sigh...

I'm waaay ready for the Dept of Peace!

thanks for noticing!

Kanary

[K-W]

11. This is not the election to shoot for revolution

this is the election to shoot for Bush. Before we can have a Kucinish presidency we need to take back the party and take back our country.

[Mairead]

28. No, but this *IS* the election to shoot for real change

because if we don't get real change out of it -- if all we get is Bush-style governance with a D label on it -- then who will really have won?

[redqueen]

37. I disagree

The chances are actually greater against a failure like GWBush.

Think of it... if he were stronger, he would be an easier vote. But because he has alienated so many, even from his conservative base... this is the ideal time to bargain hard.

Analogy... say you're trying to sell your car. It's not a popular make, though, and your neighbor has a really trendy one that he's selling. You'll have a harder time selling yours, so maybe you wait for a better time, right?

But if you have a car that's not as popular as others, and the one your neighbor is selling one that's breaking down, out of style, etc... that's when you put the ad out! :)

Horrible analogy maybe, but the gist is I think that truly, This Is The Moment.

[Jerseycoa]

14. Clark's no Kucinich

But you are mistaken to think he is conservative.

Take a look at his policies:

http://clark04.com/issues/

[sweetheart]

25. what is the grading on recreational pot smoking?

I'm looking for a president who does not point a gun to my head and threaten to take away my property and send me to prison... is that too much to ask?

How many are willing to reconsider the failed prohibition?

Obviously DK rocks... he's sweeeeet. :=)

[Mairead]

29. Sorry, Jersey, Clark is very conservative.

His policies are Bush Lite: tweaks. He's not planning on changing the direction in which wealth flows, and his statements on constitutional/civil rights are filled with weasel words.

[Jerseycoa]

39. Sorry, Mairead, not buying it

He is a liberal and not a conservative. No Kucinich, I give you that. But never a conservative. He believes in being strong on national security and respecting the flag.

But what's weasely and "very conservative" and "Bush-Lite" about his policies?

I believe that law enforcement should have access to all necessary tools to deal with the problems of terrorism, which is why I'm calling for an immediate $40 billion investment in homeland security. But I don't believe that we can win a war on terror if we give up the essence of who we are as Americans. That's why I think that Congress should fully review the so-called USA PATRIOT Act - and repeal the provisions that go too far.

The USA PATRIOT Act was jammed through Congress in a matter of weeks, when the country was still in shock from the horrific attacks of September 11th. It wasn't carefully drafted and it wasn't fully debated. More troubling is that, in just two years, the Act has grown the tentacles that many feared. Last month, a Justice Department report admitted that the John Ashcroft has actually expanded the substantial reach of the Act, using it to snoop in secrecy for evidence of crimes that have nothing to do with terrorism.

Reproductive freedom. Every woman deserves complete information about and access to birth control so that families can be planned and so that every child is a wanted child. I will oppose measures that interfere with the ability of a woman and her doctors to make choices about her reproductive health.

Affirmative action. Throughout my career, I have seen the meaning, consequence, and importance of affirmative action firsthand. I was proud to join a group of retired military officers who filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of affirmative action at the University of Michigan. I think such policies are necessary to facilitate diversity within, and thus the legitimacy of, the nation's leadership. And the Supreme Court agreed on the importance of diversity, relying on the successes of the military model. America cannot be a great nation without the leadership of our very best - of all races, from all parts of the country. Affirmative action ensures that future leaders who might otherwise never get a chance are brought to the forefront. As a result, Americans - all Americans - benefit.

Voting rights. I am concerned that so many Americans who are legally entitled to vote have had their right to vote impaired or their ballot ignored. I am astonished that the votes of thousands and thousands of African-American ballots were discarded in Florida. I was proud to lead a multilateral force in Bosnia and Kosovo, seeking to restore free and fair elections to the Balkans; what many Americans - and many African Americans - put their lives on the line for in Europe simply must be guaranteed here at home. I will fight to make sure that African Americans are never again unlawfully disenfranchised. In addition, I would encourage the states to look at the laws that strip voting rights from those who have served their time. Many thousands of these citizens are veterans who have also served their country, and disproportionate numbers are African Americans. When the right to vote - the basis of government - is at stake, the states should reexamine their answers to the hard questions: who is excluded, why they're excluded, for how long they're excluded, and whether the law as it stands serves justice for all.

Ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. We should make sure that the Civil Rights Act bans discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and sexual orientation.

Strengthen federal protections against hate crimes. No one in this country should be the target of violence because of their appearance, religion, or sexual orientation.

Protect all families. Families in the United States come in many shapes and sizes. Currently, most of our laws extend rights and responsibilities only to heterosexual families and explicitly exclude same-sex couples from enjoying those same rights and responsibilities. It is in the best interest of our country to promote stable communities and families - this includes both heterosexual and same-sex families. Accordingly, I believe that same-sex couples should not be denied rights to pensions, health insurance, family medical leave, bereavement leave, hospital visitation, survivor benefits, and other basic legal protections that all families and children need.

Source: Clark Policy Statements

[CivilRightsNow]

42. This is a big issue for me..

Im sick of seeing people's lives screwed up because of medicinal marijuana use and the Ashcroftian federal penalties. Living in Cali, I was just blown away by the number of DEA that were used even though the state had laws of their own.

I would also like to see a candidate support decriminalization of pot that would stop sending our minorities and young brothers and sisters to jail and a life after with a criminal record for anything less then an ounce.

[goodhue]

12. as always

DK is ahead of the class!

[zulchzulu]

13. They need a better rating system

Kucinich: Thai stick with hash bits
Moseley-Braun: Thai Stick
Clark: Humboldt red bud
Kerry: Humboldt red bud
Sharpton: Mexican high grade
Dean: Mexican mid-grade cut with Oregano surprise
Lieberman: Mexican mid-grade cut with Oregano surprise
Edwards: Ground up hemp stems and pebbles
Bush: Dried toothpaste
Gephardt: Oregano/pot mix with dirt

[bhunt70]

15. perfect.

...

[knight_of_the_star]

18. ROFLMAO!!!!!!

That was great!

I'm hesitating to ask how you know this.

[Sugarbleus]

21. Tooooooooooo Hilarious LOL LOL

Santa Cruz, CA WAMM member here.

[Kanary]

22. Wave for Sugarbleus!

Didn't notice before that you are fairly new here, soooo....

:hi: :hi: :hi:

:toast:

Welcome to DU, Sugarbleus!

Kanary

[Old and In the Way]

26. 5 million votes to harvest.

I gotta believe we could pull another 5MM prople into the process on this one issue alone. If people don't get the economic drain,, that the crime does not fit the punishment, then adding 5 million new, energized voters should be pause to consider.

[Myra]

16. Thanks Jerseycoa. Good info!

I guess this thread doesn't have legs 'cause
it doesn't source the suddenly venerable
Washington Post.

[Jerseycoa]

17. Oh, yeah

All hail WaPo tonight. B-)

[Kanary]

20. Jes' tell 'em I said

That's venerable enough, eh?

:)

Kanary

[stickdog]

23. This group hates Dean for stopping their VT initiative for med pot.

This group had worked long and hard to pass a VT med pot bill. Dean thought it needed more study (read: he needed more political cover), so he scuttled the bill for a year in favor of commissioning a medical panel to make recommendations. Even though the law was passed the next year, these med pot activists became mortal enemies with Dean over his handling of the med pot bill in question. Dean's defense is that as a doctor, he doesn't like medical policy being dictated by political rather than medical concerns.

In terms of Presidential campaign promises, Dean's promise to expedite an full FDA study of med pot and abide by the FDA's scientific and medical recommendations would almost certainly result in a better long term pro-med pot outlook than anything Kerry or Clark has proposed.

I suggest anyone interested in the issue read the website rather than simply the grades given by the (probably admittedly biased) website admins.

[Kerridwyn]

24. Medical vs. political

Dean's defense is that as a doctor, he doesn't like medical policy being dictated by political rather than medical concerns.


I think that is a ridiculous defense. Don't read this as a Dean attack, because he's my second choice, but he annoys me on this. Medical policy already IS being dictated by political rather than medical concerns - it bans marijuana for medicinal purposes on purely political grounds. Supporting medical concerns in medical policy would involve allowing medicinal marijuana to be prescribed if the doctor thinks it is the best medicine!

[stickdog]

31. Truth: Dean is in favor of medical pot only if he can get

sufficient political cover from scientific pot testing that is so comprehensive (read FDA) that it is blessed by the AMA and the rest of the US medical establishment.

As a former doctor who once had a taste for alcohol, he's not in a big hurry to make an obviously psychoactive and typically recreational drug more readily available unless he's 99.9% sure that it's safe and effective as a medicine.

Do I agree with him? Hell, no.

Do I understand his POV? Reluctantly, yes.

Do I think he's fashioned a reasonable compromise? Definitely, and I intend to do everything in my power to hold him to his promise if he's elected President.

[redqueen]

38. Newsflash: The FDA and AMA will never get behind this

:eyes:

If anything, it's his excuse to put the "NO" decision off on others.

Way to lead.

[stickdog]

40. Dean is the LEAST beholden to the big drug companies of the "leading"

candidates. Med pot has a much better shot with him in the White House than with just about anybody other than your man DK.

[blm]

41. Any backup for that claim?

Kerry never took any money EVER from corporate drug companies or ANY other corporate pac money.

[Mairead]

30. "Dean's promise to expedite a full FDA study of med pot"

Try to find that promise on his web site. I couldn't.

[stickdog]

32. I heard him say it myself.

http://www.granitestaters.com/guide/dean.html

[Mairead]

43. Sure. And as community organiser Si Kahn points out in his text

on organising, politicians love to say something in a speech that they won't commit to as a matter of policy...it hooks supporters of the something, and is completely deniable later.

Kahn suggests the rule: if it's not stated as a matter of policy, it's not real.

[GobGoober]

33. Great information to have!

Clark or Kerry are both looking good.

[bitchkitty]

34. Great thread!

I am a medical marijuana patient in Oregon. I'm part of OregonGreenFree, or OGF for short. I am the webkitty and one of the admins of the forum and try to get people interested in politics but for the most part, with the exception of one or two, they are not interested.

I'm going to start a thread on this there, and include names and addresses of the candidates so they can write if they want.

Thanks for the inspiration!

http://oregongreenfree.com