Category: Guide

In short: Incomplete. Although a critic of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders, Sharpton has not spoken on the issue of medical marijuana. It’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t be a supporter, but until he speaks to this issue, we cannot grade him. What Sharpton has done: Sharpton has never held elected office. In 1991, he founded… Continue reading Name: Rev. Al Sharpton

Name: Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL) In short: Graham opposed federal legislation legalizing medical marijuana and would not have stopped the current administration’s policy of arresting and jailing seriously ill patients and their caregivers. What Graham has done: Graham has not taken any action to protect medical marijuana patients. He has neither cosponsored nor voted on any legislation specifically… Continue reading Name: Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL)

In short: Gephardt voted for a 1998 U.S. Senate resolution condemning state efforts to legalize medical use of marijuana. Gephardt gets an “F” grade for refusing to pledge an end to the Bush administration’s cruel and heartless raids on medical marijuana patients. What Gephardt has done: In 1998, Gephardt voted for H.J.Res. 117, a resolution opposing efforts… Continue reading Name: Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO)

In short: Retired Army General Clark recently pledged unequivocally to stop the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids on seriously ill medical marijuana patients. Clark also said that, as president, he may sign medical marijuana legislation. What Clark has done: Clark, a career military officer, has never held elected office. What Clark has said: Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana’s… Continue reading Name: Retired Army General Wesley K. Clark

In short: Former Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, who served as a U.S. senator from Illinois from 1992 to 1998, had voiced support for federal legislation allowing seriously ill people to have medical marijuana, with their doctors’ approval. Moseley Braun also pledged to end the Drug Enforcement Administration’s raids on medical marijuana patients. What Moseley Braun has… Continue reading Name: Carol Moseley Braun

In short: Lieberman cosponsored a 1998 U.S. Senate resolution condemning state efforts to legalize medical use of marijuana. Lieberman gets an “F” grade for refusing to pledge an end to the Bush administration’s cruel and heartless raids on medical marijuana patients. What Lieberman has done: In 1998, Lieberman cosponsored S.J.Res. 56, opposing efforts to legalize marijuana or… Continue reading Name: Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT)

In short: Edwards has publicly stated that he thinks it would be “irresponsible” to end the Justice Department’s policy of arresting patients and caregivers who defy federal law. Edwards gets an “F” grade for refusing to pledge an end to these cruel and heartless raids on medical marijuana patients who are complying with state law. What… Continue reading Name: Sen. John Edwards (D-NC)

In short: Kerry would stop the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids on seriously ill medical marijuana patients as president. Kerry has previously said he favors federal legislation to allow people with cancer, AIDS, and other serious illnesses to have medical marijuana, with their doctors’ approval. What Kerry has done: Kerry recently co-authored a letter asking the Drug… Continue reading Name: Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)

In short: Asked about medical marijuana as he campaigned for president in 1999, George W. Bush said he believes “each state can choose that decision as they so choose” (sic). Yet the Bush administration has arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned medical marijuana patients and providers at an alarming rate. Administration officials have aggressively campaigned against local and state… Continue reading Name: President George W. Bush

In short: On May 29, 2003, Kucinich was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle as supporting medical marijuana “without reservation” and indicated that as president he would be willing to sign an executive order permitting its use. (You can read the full text of the article here.) This is on the heels of his May 27 announcement calling for a broad… Continue reading Name: Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)