Washington, DC: NORML released its 2004 Presidential Candidate Report Card this week, which profiles the positions of each of the major Democratic candidates on various marijuana-related issues. The Report Card is available online at NORML’s website at:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5895
“Marijuana law reform promises to be a pivotal and highly publicized issue this election,” NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup said. “NORML’s 2004 Presidential Candidate Report Card is a quick reference guide to the candidates’ positions on decriminalization, the legalization of medicinal marijuana, and the repeal of the drug conviction exclusionary provision to the Higher Education Act.”
Democratic front-runner John Kerry (D-MA) received one thumbs up (for his stated support for the use of medicinal marijuana), and two thumbs in the middle (for his mild support for decriminalization, and his partial support for repealing a 1998 law that bars convicted marijuana and drug offenders from receiving financial student aid) from NORML. John Edwards (D-NC), who finished second in this week’s Iowa caucus, received three thumbs down. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who finished third, received two thumbs down for his views opposing decriminalization and medical marijuana, but received a thumbs up for his support for abolishing the drug conviction exclusionary amendment to the Higher Education Act.
For a complete listing of candidates’ positions, please visit:
http://www.norml.org