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Rudy Giuliani 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

Rudy Giuliani strongly opposes making marijuana available for medical reasons

"I believe the effort to try and make marijuana available for medical uses is really a way to legalize it. There's no reason for it... We'd be much better off telling people the truth. Marijuana adds nothing to the array of legal medications and prescription medications that are available for pain relief."

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Rudy Giuliani supports federal raids on medical marijuana facilities in states which have approved its use

But Giuliani has spent most of his career advocating for more federal power to fight the federal war on drugs. He has declared that he would continue the Drug Enforcement Administration raids on medical marijuana facilities, overruling state law.

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Rudy Giuliani strongly supports fighting a war on drugs internationally

But Giuliani has spent most of his career advocating for more federal power to fight the federal war on drugs.

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Rudy Giuliani opposes relaxing drug laws and/or drug enforcement

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Executive Director Keith Stroup is outraged. "What he's doing is arresting kids for smoking pot in the park. Giulani's campaign is based on busting as many pot smokers as possible," fumed Stroup. "It's the largest percentage increase in arrests I've ever seen. Incredible."

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In focusing on toughening drug laws, Giuliani said he would focus on methamphetamine. Giuliani said he would boost funding for drug education and would toughen prosecution for those who sell drugs by applying federal penalties aimed at drug trafficking.

Associated Press: August 7, 2007