The Conservative view of addiction
It would be safe to say that the Republican presidential candidate Rafael Edward “Ted” Cruz is “very conservative” when it comes to the issues of drug laws, criminal justice system, legalization of medical and recreational marijuana.
So what are Ted Cruz’s opinions on drug issues? We share some of his quotes in this infographic and invite you to SHARE and comment below.
Cruz’s opinions on marijuana legalization
From a purely marijuana reform perspective, Ted Cruz is saying NO. He has stated:
“When it comes to a question of legalizing marijuana, I don’t support legalizing marijuana. If it were on the ballot in the state of Texas, I would vote no.”
However, he also believes that a marijuana reform should be left to the states to decide and as he puts it,
“[Marijuana legalization] is a legitimate question for the states to make a determination”.
On the other hand, Cruz criticized the Obama Administration for not intervening to stop the implementation of marijuana legalization in the states that voted YES. But, we are guessing that he wasn’t so much against marijuana in his youth, when allegedly, he smoked weed, as stated by a spokesperson.
His opinions on the criminal justice system
In a Brennan Center essay, Cruz wrote the following:
“Harsh mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug crimes have contributed to prison overpopulation and are both unfair and ineffective relative to the public expense and human costs of years-long incarceration”.
Regarding the heroin epidemic issue, Cruz has stated his support for legislation to funnel more federal funds into prevention programs. However, he does not see it as an issue that is going to be solved by the government. And, he adds:
“The solution to this is going to come at the state and local level. It’s going to come from the church, it’s going to come from charities, it’s going to come from friends and families and loved ones stepping forward.”
Do you agree with Ted Cruz?
We hope you like our infographic quotes by the 2016 presidential candidates, so feel free to SHARE.
Do you agree of disagree with Ted Cruz? If you have any other questions and comments, we welcome you to leave them in the section below. We try to answer all legitimate inquiries with a personal and prompt response.
Reference Sources: 1. I’ll buy you a tequila. Or even some famous Colorado brownies.
Joel B. Pollak, Oct. 28, 2015, BreitBart
Available at: http://goo.gl/w54Udf [Accessed March 16, 2016]
2. If the citizens of Colorado decide they want to go down that road, that’s their prerogative. I personally don’t agree with it, but that’s their right.
Jacob Sullum, Feb. 26, 2015,; Reason.com
Available at: http://goo.gl/Bk1x9g [Accessed March 16, 2016]
3. I think we can have an intelligent conversation about drug policy and the degree to which it may or may not be achieving the ends we hope it would achieve.
Matt Ferner, Feb. 26, 2015; Huffington Post
Available at: http://goo.gl/anNGl5 [Accessed March 16, 2016]
4. The Obama administration’s approach to drug policy is to simply announce that across the country, it is going to stop enforcing certain drug laws.
Matt Ferner, Feb. 26, 2015; Huffington Post
Available at: http://goo.gl/anNGl5 [Accessed March 16, 2016]
5. Every one of us who has dealt with these demons or who has dealt with loved one grappling with these demons, every one of knows these are personal journeys.
Theodore Schleifer, Feb. 5, 2016, CNN
Available at: http://goo.gl/pz1ssR [Accessed March 16, 2016]
6. It’s certainly not going to be Washington DC that steps in and solves these problems. It’s going to be friends and families, churches and charities.
Theodore Schleifer, Feb. 5, 2016, CNN
Available at: http://goo.gl/pz1ssR [Accessed March 16, 2016]
7. If I’m elected president you have my solemn commitment: we will secure the borders. And we will end this plague of rampant drugs flooding into this country and destroying lives all across this nation.
Theodore Schleifer, Feb. 5, 2016, CNN
Available at: http://goo.gl/pz1ssR [Accessed March 16, 2016]
8. It only takes one hit of heroin to make an addict for life.
Theodore Schleifer, Feb. 5, 2016, CNN
Available at: http://goo.gl/pz1ssR [Accessed March 16, 2016]
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