In an effort to inform voters, the Susquehanna Valley Progressives reached out to the four gubernatorial campaigns in regards to their positions on medical marijuana. We received the following statements:
Ken Krawchuk, Libertarian Candidate Statement:
The failed War on Drugs takes a social problem and makes it a criminal justice problem, clogging courts and filling prisons while enabling organized crime and terrorists to rake in a fortune.
Jailing pot smokers alone costs Pennsylvania taxpayers over $100 million annually. Even worse, under court-ordered prison caps they’re releasing murderers and rapists to make room for pot-smoking Grateful Dead fans. That’s insane!
And look at the current drug-fueled mayhem in Mexico, which has claimed over 29,000 lives since 2006. The problem is not drugs; the problem is that they’re illegal drugs.
To end this waste of money and lives, my first day in office I promise to pardon all non-violent drug offenders. That way our prisons, courts, and law enforcement can focus on real criminals, and a caring Society can focus on rehabilitation
For more information, visit www.KenK.org.
Tom Wolf, Democratic Candidate Statement:
[I] “support legalizing the use of medical marijuana because he believes we should not deny doctor-recommended treatments that could help people suffering from diseases or illnesses.” For more information visit wolfforpa.org.
Robert Roush says
One thing that’s important is that we get to the level where candidates know they need to reply to our questions and statements – regardless of their view – in order to be taken seriously as a candidate. It’s a lofty goal, but…
Nicole Faraguna says
Agreed, Robert…I know candidate forums that were cancelled because the candidates would not commit to attending…it is a system that favors incumbents because the less they have to answer questions, the more likely they’ll stay under the radar and get re-elected. Of course too many races especially in our neck of the woods include candidates running unopposed. The result of redistricting and the reality that there is little we can do to unseat the seated officials.