Let’s break down WV and presidential candidate cannabis positions!
Election Day is tomorrow! We encourage you to vote for informed and forward-thinking representatives. This year, we’re taking the time to highlight where both West Virginia representatives and presidential candidates stand on cannabis reform. Finding this information can be challenging, scattered across countless websites, so we’ve made it easy for you. Here’s your one-stop guide to help you make an educated and impactful vote!🗳️
FIRST, LET’S BREAK DOWN WV CANDIDATE CANNABIS POSITIONS:
West Virginia Governor Candidates:
Steve Williams: the Democratic candidate and current mayor of Huntington, supports the legalization of recreational cannabis. Williams believes that adults should have the right to make their own decisions regarding cannabis, similar to alcohol and tobacco. He has stated that legalizing cannabis could generate significant tax revenue for the state, create jobs, boost the economy, and alleviate the burden on the criminal justice system. He supports putting legalization on the ballot and letting voters decide through a statewide constitutional amendment. He also mentioned that legalizing cannabis could ensure safer products, keeping harmful substances like fentanyl out of the marijuana supply.
Sources: The Marijuana Herald newsandsentinel.com/
Patrick Morrisey: the Republican candidate and current Attorney General of West Virginia, opposes the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. Morrisey's focus is on addressing the opioid epidemic, and he believes that legalizing cannabis could exacerbate the state's substance abuse issues. He has been vocal in his stance against adding more “drugs” to the state.
Sources: The Marijuana Herald newsandsentinel.com/
Erika Kolenich: the Libertarian candidate, is in favor of decriminalizing recreational cannabis. She believes that many neighboring states have already moved forward with legalization, and West Virginia loses significant revenue when its residents travel out of state to purchase recreational cannabis. Kolenich emphasizes a focus on individual freedom and limited government intervention in her platform, which aligns with her stance on cannabis legalization.
Sources: The Marijuana Herald newsandsentinel.com/
Chase Linko-Looper: the Mountain Party candidate, has not explicitly made cannabis legalization a focal point of his campaign. However, his platform is centered on advocating for human rights and supporting communities that face discrimination, which could imply a sympathetic stance toward cannabis reform. Specific details about his position on cannabis were not available in the information retrieved.
Source: Chase Linko-Looper For Governor
S. Marshall Wilson: the Constitution Party candidate and former member of the House of Delegates, has not publicly stated support for cannabis legalization or decriminalization in the available resources. His campaign has focused on other conservative issues, and he has not made cannabis a priority topic in his platform.
Source: theintelligencer.net
West Virginia candidates for US House of Representatives (1st district):
Carol Miller: has not been a supporter of cannabis legalization. She has consistently aligned with traditional conservative policies, opposing broader legalization for recreational use. While she hasn't made recent public statements specifically about cannabis, her voting record suggests a preference for stricter regulations.
Source: JUST FACTS
Wes Holden: has not publicly detailed his stance on cannabis legalization in his campaign materials. His platform emphasizes government accountability, economic empowerment, and veterans' services, but it does not specifically address cannabis policy.
Given his focus on revitalizing West Virginia's economy and supporting veterans, it's possible that Holden may be open to discussions about cannabis reform, especially considering the potential economic benefits and therapeutic uses for veterans. However, without explicit statements or policy proposals from his campaign, his exact position on cannabis legalization remains unclear.
Source: Wes for WV
Chris Bob Reed: Reed's campaign focuses on social justice, economic development, and healthcare access. Though he hasn't explicitly mentioned cannabis policy, his emphasis on social justice suggests possible support for reducing incarceration for non-violent drug offenses.
Source: BallotPedia
WEST VIRGINIA candidates for US House
of Representatives (2nd district):
Riley Moore: the current State Treasurer of West Virginia, has not made cannabis reform a key part of his platform. Moore has emphasized his conservative values and has a track record of fighting against what he views as left-wing policies, such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. He has presented himself as a "conservative warrior" focused on economic growth, lowering inflation, and defending Second Amendment rights. However, during his previous role as a state delegate, Moore voted in favor of authorizing the use of medical marijuana in 2017, indicating support for medical cannabis while not endorsing broader legalization efforts.
Source: WV Metro News Just Facts
Steven Wendelin: has not explicitly focused on cannabis legalization in his campaign. However, his general campaign message emphasizes individual freedoms, including the right to make personal choices free from government interference. He has stated that West Virginians should be allowed to live their lives as they see fit, which may imply support for policies such as cannabis reform. Wendelin's overall platform is centered on reducing political polarization, improving social services, and ending government overreach, suggesting a potentially open stance toward cannabis legalization, especially in terms of individual rights and freedoms.
Source: Wendelin For Congress
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture:
Deborah Stiles: emphasizes her support for both large and small farmers, enhancing food safety, and eliminating unnecessary regulations. Stiles has a background in agriculture research and rural policy, which she uses to advocate for the modernization of West Virginia's agricultural sector. A unique point about her campaign is that she actively took the initiative to stop by our storefront to discuss issues within the hemp and cannabis industry and explore ideas for progress. This highlights her willingness to connect with industry stakeholders directly and find ways to foster local agricultural development, including cannabis reform.
Source: Stiles for Agriculture
Kent Leonhardt: has taken a cautious but supportive approach towards hemp, viewing it as an agricultural opportunity that could boost the state's farming revenue. Leonhardt has previously promoted expanding hemp production as part of his broader initiative to diversify West Virginia’s agricultural offerings and reduce the state's dependence on traditional cash crops.
Leonhardt also focuses on other key agricultural initiatives, such as expanding agritourism and enhancing programs like FFA (Future Farmers of America) to inspire the next generation of farmers. However, he generally opposes broader government regulations and has not specifically highlighted expanding the cannabis sector beyond hemp. He instead prioritizes creating a favorable business environment and limiting overregulation to support the free market.
Source: Kent for WV
LET’S BREAK DOWN
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
CANNABIS POSITIONS
Donald Trump: During his first term, his administration was criticized for rolling back protections for state-legal cannabis industries and for the actions of his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, who aggressively opposed legalization. Despite this, Trump has recently embraced pro-cannabis policies, including supporting recreational legalization in Florida and advocating for federal legislation to give states more control over marijuana laws. Trump has framed his current stance around states' rights and economic considerations, stating that adults should not be jailed for simple possession and expressing support for banking reform for cannabis businesses.
Sources: POLITICO Every Brain Matters
Kamala Harris: has shifted significantly from her earlier days as a prosecutor, during which she opposed cannabis legalization and was involved in prosecuting cannabis-related offenses. As a Senator, she introduced and supported major cannabis reform legislation, including the Marijuana Justice Act and the MORE Act, which aimed to remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances and expunge previous cannabis-related offenses. As part of her current campaign, she supports federal legalization and continues to advocate for reforms that address past injustices caused by cannabis prohibition.
Source: MPP
Your vote has the power to shape not only your community but the entire country. By choosing representatives who are committed to progress and open mindedness you help create a future where everyone's voice is heard, and positive change is possible.
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