I’ve finished the California U.S. House and Senate Voting Guide. These guides focus on statements made by candidates through Project Vote-Smart, as well as actual voting records of incumbents on the “Hinchey” medical marijuana amendements in the House.
The Senate race is definitely one to check out. I’m strongly encouraging all California drug policy reformers to vote for James P. Gray. He is running specifically on a drug policy reform platform, so every single vote for him is a statement. If he ends up with significant numbers, it could make a lot of people pay attention.
Another race to watch is the 3rd District, where former drug warrior and California Attorney General Dan Lungren is trying to get into Congress, which would not be a good thing.
I also found it remarkable just how many incumbents voted against the Hinchey amendment. To understand this, realize that the amendment simply said that, in states where medical marijuana was legal, the federal government should not interfere in state law regarding medical marijuana. California is a medical marijuana state. So those California Representatives who voted against the amendment were essentially saying: “Although the people of California clearly voted to legalize medical marijuana and although the people overwhelmingly support legal medical marijuana, I disagree, and wish to have the federal government step in and arrest and harrass my constituents who are obeying state law.” These idiots need to be removed from office, where they’re currently incumbents in districts 2, 4, 11, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 48, 49, 50, and 52.
Now on to the next state. I hope to find time do one or two a week, and get as many done as I can before the election. I welcome suggestions, assistance, further details on races (or which states you’d like me to do). I also welcome feedback on the usefulness of such a guide. My thinking at this point is that even if there are a handful of voters who are not fully informed, but do a google search on the candidates and “drug policy” before they go in to vote, these guides could be worthwhile. (I’ve already found, with the Illinois guide, some candidate staff google searches for their candidate’s name and the word “endorsement” — they need to know that someone is paying attention to drug policy.)
“bullet” Don’t forget my featured race in Illinois, where I’m strongly pushing for Tari Renner over drug warrior Jerry Weller. And it’s one we can win. Support Renner.
- DrugWarRant.com, the longest running single-issue blog devoted to drug policy
Join us on Pete's couch.
Send comments, tips,
and suggestions to: Recent Comments
NorCalNative on Marijuana and toxicology in ancient Greece and Rome: “From the paper:…For many patients, evidence suggests that the known harms of cannabis outweigh the (potentially small degree of benefit…” Apr 16, 14:19
Servetus on Marijuana and toxicology in ancient Greece and Rome: “A functional wiring diagram of the brain has been revealed that will aid in future brain research focusing on brain…” Apr 13, 13:20
Servetus on Marijuana and toxicology in ancient Greece and Rome: “CBD reduces autism (ASD) symptoms in children: 8-Apr-2025 – New research presented at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry reveals…” Apr 9, 20:55
Servetus on Marijuana and toxicology in ancient Greece and Rome: “The ACP weighs in on cannabis: 4-Apr-2025 — The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued Best Practice Advice for…” Apr 4, 22:29
Servetus on Marijuana and toxicology in ancient Greece and Rome: “Cannabis given to Australian patients who do not respond to conventional medical treatments resulted in health related improvements: 2-Apr-2025 –…” Apr 3, 19:39
Servetus on Marijuana and toxicology in ancient Greece and Rome: “The Journal of Sex Research: Link” Apr 1, 22:16
Servetus on Marijuana and toxicology in ancient Greece and Rome: “Researchers are investigating psychedelics and sex. Participation in future research is provided through an updated survey available to anyone interested…” Apr 1, 22:11
Servetus on Marijuana and toxicology in ancient Greece and Rome: “I checked out the Filthy Heretic and Socrates versus Freedom. He’s good at heresy and he covers more material than…” Apr 1, 21:02
Pages
- About
- Articles
- A Day at the Museum
- A story for Thanksgiving (Isidro and Teresa Aviles)
- Andrea Barthwell, caught red-handed
- Andrea Barthwell, Snake Oil Salesman
- Bong Hits 4 Jesus – Supreme Court Case
- DEA Bad Girl Michele Leonhart
- Deep Thoughts About the Drug War
- Drug War Victims
- Drug War Videos
- Drug WarRant Joins SOPA, PIPA Protest
- Hammer Down, Pop Up
- If I were Contrarian-King of the United States
- Increase in Burger Abuse Seen
- Irvin Rosenfeld and the Compassionate IND — Medical Marijuana Proof and Government Lies
- Karen Tandy and the DEA (Can Congress Get a Clue?)
- Len Bias – the death that ushered in two decades of destruction
- Mother and Son
- Patriot Act, Victory Act, Despot Act
- Petition for Correction under the ONDCP Information Quality Guidelines
- Raich v. Ashcroft
- Rand and American Enterprise Institute Studies – Indictments of Federal Drug Policy
- the Drug Czar is Required by Law to Lie
- Treatment Statistics
- Who’s Who in Drug Prohibition
- Why is Marijuana Illegal?
Archives
Authors