Explore Candidates → Tom Tancredo on Medical Marijuana and Drug Policy

Tom Tancredo on Medical Marijuana and Drug Policy

Marijuana became illegal at the federal level with the U.S. Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. However, currently 12 states have legalized medical marijuana for medicinal purposes. Marijuana and other drugs have been at the center of numerous controversial issues in the United States, as they widely impact domestic policy, foreign policy, and law. This topic includes information about candidate positions on: the U.S. international "War on Drugs", sentencing guidelines for drug-related offenses, federal and state drug laws, and the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

The issues

Tom Tancredo opposes making marijuana available for medical reasons

Voted NO to pass a bill that provides $429.1 million in funds for the District of Columbia and approves the District's $6.8 billion budget. Among other provisions, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs, prohibits implementing an approved ballot initiative to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana.

Bill sponsored by Istook, R-OK; Bill HR 3064 ; vote number 1999-504 on Oct 14, 1999

Tancredo voted YES on the "State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and Implementation Act" - An amendment to prohibit the use of funds made available in this Act to the Department of Justice may be used, with respect to certain states, to prevent such States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.

Project Vote Smart congressional vote analysis Jul 11, 2006

Tom Tancredo strongly opposes federal raids on medical marijuana facilities in states which have approved its use

In every year from 2003 to 2006, Rep. Tancredo voted in support of the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, which would have ended the federal government's DEA raids on patients and caregivers.

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Tom Tancredo strongly supports fighting a war on drugs internationally

Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) today called on the federal government and the governments of southern border states to immediately deploy troops to the U.S. - Mexico border in light of recent armed assistance's military has given to drug smugglers.

US Fed News: January 24, 2006

Voted YES on amendment to set up a task force on counter-terrorism and drug interdiction and allow military personnel to help patrol U.S. borders.

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If Mexico is now admitting that it is unable to control the smuggling activity on its side of the border, then it is time for the U.S. to recognize this reality and change our policies accordingly. The first step is for the Border Patrol and local law enforcement in our 26 border counties to be given weapons that match the firepower of the drug cartels.

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Tom Tancredo is neutral on relaxing drug laws and/or drug enforcement

Tancredo voted YES on the "State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and Implementation Act" - An amendment to prohibit the use of funds made available in this Act to the Department of Justice may be used, with respect to certain states, to prevent such States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.

Project Vote Smart congressional vote analysis Jul 11, 2006