Governor: Drug Initiatives

Question: Where do you stand on the two ballot propositions relating
to drugs? Provisions of Proposition 203 include decriminalizing
possession of small amounts of marijuana, making it a civil offense,
and requiring the Department of Public Safety to distribute free
marijuana for medical use. Proposition 302 expands a judge's ability
to imprison drug offenders who now face only probation, including
those who refuse treatment.

REPUBLICANS

Betsey Bayless of Phoenix, secretary of state

My top priority as governor is the education of the children of
Arizona. Proposition 203, which decriminalizes marijuana sends the
wrong message to those children. Proposition 203 also requires the
state police (DPS) to distribute the marijuana for free. I oppose
using our police for this purpose. Proposition 203 is bad for Arizona.

Proposition 302 emphasizes treatment of drug offenders but restores
discretion to the judge to order jail time to offenders who refuse to
participate in their own treatment. It allows the medical use of
marijuana, not the recreational use. Proposition 302 appears to be a
more rational approach to drug policy in Arizona. In the end, to
reduce the supply of drugs we must reduce the demand. This means
investing our time, talent and resources in our children. That is what
I intend to do as governor. To read my education plan, please visit
www.betseybayless.com.

Matt Salmon of Mesa, business consultant, former U.S.
congressman

I oppose Proposition 203 for the simple reason that I have no desire
to see the Department of Public Safety forced to distribute marijuana
to anyone. Regardless of your opinions about marijuana for medical use
- - remember that Proposition 203 doesn't require a prescription to
qualify for "medical use" - Proposition 203 goes too far and should be
defeated.

On the other hand, I support Proposition 302 because it closes a
significant loophole in Arizona's drug laws. Currently, some drug
offenders will not face jail time even if they violate their probation
or refuse to enter treatment. Proposition 302 will give courts and
prosecutors the tools needed to force drug users into treatment and to
complete their probation. Proposition 302 is a common-sense measure
that deserves Arizona's support. Proposition 203 is anything but.

Carol Springer of Prescott, state treasurer

I oppose Proposition 203. This proposal is fatally flawed, with the
notion that the Department of Public Safety should become drug dealers
by distributing confiscated marijuana. This is a ludicrous concept.
Voters should resoundingly reject this proposition.

I support Proposition 302. As we have embraced mandatory sentencing
with a "one size fits all" approach, we fail many times to provide
true justice. Judges should be allowed more flexibility in sentencing
as provided in Proposition 302.

INDEPENDENT

Richard Mahoney of Phoenix, professor emeritus-

international studies, former Arizona secretary of
state

I support Proposition 203. To end the drug war - and its bankrupting
costs - we should take careful steps toward a more realistic and cost-
effective policy. I oppose Proposition 302, which undermines what
Arizonans have twice voted in favor of. I chaired the Voter Protection
Alliance in 1998 to stop the governor and Legislature from gutting
propositions. We were successful.

DEMOCRATS

Alfredo Gutierrez of Phoenix, retired business consultant, former
majority leader of the Arizona Senate

I support Proposition 203. My mother died of cancer. The pain
lingered; she suffered unmercifully. If marijuana would have relieved
her pain, I would have bought it on the streets for her - state and
federal laws be damned. I believe most sons and daughters, husbands
and wives would take exactly the same risks. I believe that the so-
called war on drugs has ruined the lives of untold young people who
have been imprisoned and their futures crushed for the mere possession
of small amounts of marijuana. This policy has cost billions, filled
our prisons, and proved to be a miserable failure.

I oppose Prop. 302. The people have spoken. Arizonans have twice
approved voter initiatives on this issue. Proposition 302 merely seeks
to subvert the will of the people.

Janet Napolitano of Phoenix, state attorney general

I plan to vote "no" on both propositions. The fundamental mission of
the Department of Public Safety is to ensure the safety of our
highways and communities, not to dispense narcotics. Although I
empathize with cancer victims and favor ways to ease their pain, it is
not in the state's interest to either legalize marijuana or use scarce
state resources to distribute it. I think Proposition 302 is well-
intended, but I believe we should let the 1996 law approved by Arizona
voters play its course before tinkering with new laws. Our focus
should remain on rehabilitating small-time marijuana users, vigorously
prosecuting big-time drug dealers and aggressively attacking
methamphetamines. As U.S. attorney and Arizona attorney general, I
have prosecuted meth dealers for nine years, and I know that meth is
more devastating to our state than any other drug.

Mike Newcomb of Cave Creek, physician

I would be in favor of Proposition 203, which would decriminalize
possession for small amounts of marijuana. I also would favor using
marijuana for medical purposes, but do not feel it should be
distributed for free. It should be treated and regulated like any
other prescription drug.

I am not in favor of Proposition 302, which would expand a judge's
ability to imprison drug offenders on probation. Furthermore, an
individual should have the right to choose whether or not they want
rehabilitation and should not face penalties if they opt not to
undergo treatment.

Mark Osterloh of Tucson, physician

The federal law pre-empts Arizona state laws that conflict with
federal law. Having our state police distribute free marijuana would
violate federal law. For this reason, I cannot support Proposition
203.

I do support Proposition 302. I strongly favor drug abuse treatment
programs over incarceration. If we are serious about having
individuals receive drug abuse treatment, then the threat of prison
time is an excellent incentive for successful completion of these programs.

LIBERTARIANS

Gary Fallon of Phoenix, senior applications developer

Libertarians advocate liberty and responsibility. Proposition 203
represents neither. In terms of freedom, it adds vague laws instead of
simply re-legalizing inanimate objects. It lacks responsibility, too;
it permits government to seize marijuana from one individual and then
redistribute the same marijuana to another. How absurd!

Proposition 302 is no better. It attempts to revoke probation for
those who fail or refuse to participate in drug treatment. Think about
it: The government is coercing non-drug users to pay for either the
incarceration and/or rehabilitation of the drug user. You lose either
way. Instead, I would advocate a complete revision of Title 13
Chapters 9 and 34 to allow non-violent adult drug users to exercise
their free will. The money saved by repealing government spending on
prohibition and rehabilitation could then be returned to its rightful
owner - you. Restoring individual liberty and personal responsibility
is the answer. Visit www.garyfallon.org

Barry Hess of Phoenix, small-business owner

Proposition 203: No, no, no a thousand times, no! I read it. What
appears to be a "de-criminalization-sorta" proposition, actually
foists more worthless bureaucracy on taxpayers, skewers medical
information privacy, allows bureaucrats to make medical
pronouncements, turns DPS into a "free" pharmacy, the federal
government into an agricultural monopoly and opens the door to
government control of health care.

While I do not advocate the use of drugs, I do know that your body is
your body, and nobody can tell you what you can or can't do to it or
what you can or can't put into it. Why can't it just say, "The People
revoke, repeal and rescind all laws, statutes and regulations
regarding the prohibition of marijuana and associated paraphernalia,
order released all previous non-violent offenders convicted under
these laws, and apologize for our stupidity"?

Proposition 302: Ditto. Visit www.HessforGovernor.Org

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