Mitt Romney: Not A Fan Of Medical Marijuana, Prefers “Alternatives”

2008Central.net, October 8, 2007

By 08 Guru AsC

On Saturday (10/6/07), while at a campaign stop in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney was confronted about Medical Marijuana by a current user who suffers from muscular dystrophy. Clayton Holton, who is confined to a wheelchair, claims that he and his doctors believe that he demonstrates some of the advantages of medicinal marijuana. The exchange between Romney and Mr. Holton is as follows [video]:

HOLTON: My question for you is will you arrest me or my doctors if I get medical marijuana.

ROMNEY: I am not in favor of medical marijuana being legal in the country.

HOLTON: Excuse me, will you please answer my question?

ROMNEY: I think I have. I am not in favor of legalizing medical marijuana.

Romney instead would prefer that Holton (and others who seek medical marijuana) use alternative pain medication or “synthetic marijuana.” Mitt Romney’s past position on medical marijuana seems somewhat consistent with his view here; although, it’s worth nothing that there is a serious lack of information about Romney’s position on the issue. The only related piece of information that I was able to dig up is that UMass is one of only two universities that are legally allowed to produce high potency marijuana for medical testing. The license was granted to them back in 2003. Romney did not oppose this research, but he did not actively condone it either. So take that for what you will…

In terms of medical marijuana in a more general sense, here are some of his rivals’ position on the issue…

• Rudy Giuliani: Opposes medical marijuana. He believes that it is a back door way of legalizing recreational use of marijuana. He also does not believe that there are any medical benefits to marijuana.
• John McCain: Opposes medical marijuana. He believes that it’s a gateway drug.
• Tom Tancredo: Supports a state’s right to enact a medical marijuana law.
• Ron Paul: Supports medical marijuana (as well as legalizing recreational use of marijuana).
• Duncan Hunter: Opposes medical marijuana
• Sam Brownback: Opposes medical marijuana. Does not believe that it has any use as a pain medication or for any medicinal purpose.
• Mike Huckabee: Opposes medical marijuana. Does not believe that it has any medicinal use.
• Fred Thompson: Seems to oppose medical marijuana, but may be open to the possibility (assuming of course, it would help his momma). Here’s his most recent quote on the issue:

“Well, you’ve got federal drug laws. We have federal drugs laws in this country that are involved. I’ll tell you what my heart says about this. I would think that surely, in the era that we live in, and things that are helping my 87-year-old momma, things that are helping so many of us, and the revolution that we have seen in terms of medicine in this country, that marijuana would not be the only thing that’s going to relieve the pain and suffering for these people. That there would be other things that we could turn to first. Now if somebody can convince me that’s the only thing that will keep someone from undergoing that kind of suffering, I’ll have to take a new look at it, but that’s the way I approach it until you educate me further.”

I don’t think this issue will matter much overall in the election, but responding to an infirmed persona in a way that seems unkind or insensitive could have political effects. Accordingly, if you’re opposed to medical marijuana either avoid contact with anyone that potentially looks like they use it or be prepared to give a heartfelt answer explaining your position in a way that does not make you seem cruel. In all, I’d say Romney avoided a fuss over his response, but I think it could have been better, especially given his experience with multiple sclerosis through his wife.