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Vice President Kamala Harris pledges to federally legalize marijuana, ensuring that access to cannabis is “the law of the land."
If elected, she will "break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back by legalizing marijuana nationally, working with Congress to ensure that the safe cultivation, distribution, and possession of recreational marijuana is the law of the land."
The Democratic presidential nominee’s cannabis plan to "legalize marijuana at the federal level to break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back" is part of what her campaign calls an "opportunity agend." (10/14/24)
As Vice President, Harris has repeatedly stated that Americans should not be incarcerated for marijuana use. She’s championed the Biden administration’s efforts to pardon low-level marijuana offenders and to loosen certain federal cannabis restrictions. And as the Democratic presidential nominee, she’s the first major party candidate to have ever called for the plant’s legalization and regulation.
Following the passage of Congressional amendments limiting the Justice Department from taking prosecutorial actions against those in legal marijuana states, Former President Trump consistently issued signing statements indicating that he believed that he had the power to disregard these amendments because he believed them to be unconstitutional. (Source)
Regarding Florida's 2024 Amendment 3, Trump said, "someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other States.” (8/31/24)
Governor Walz has been an outspoken proponent of adult-use marijuana legalization and in 2019 he ordered state agencies to begin taking steps to prepare for a change in law.
Vance was among the nine members of the Senate Banking Committee who voted in the minority against the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act in September 2023. That bill is still pending floor action, and Democratic leadership has repeatedly described it as a priority without advancing it further, but Vance said he opposed it in part because he believes it would inadvertently make it easier for illicit operators to traffic other drugs such as fentanyl. Asked about his opposition to the legislation in April 2024, the senator argued that it “was crafted in such a way that actually would have opened up access to banking resources for fentanyl traffickers and others.” There’s no clear evidence that that’s the case, but Vance has more generally discussed his concerns with the fentanyl trade on several occasions. (7/15/24)
During a campaign event with the Milwaukee Police Association in Wisconsin, Vance said he spoke to a police officer who told him that "we’ve got fentanyl in our marijuana bags that our teenagers are using," echoing a claim about laced cannabis that’s been routinely contested by advocates and certain state regulators: "Look, I’m the parent of three young kids… A seven-year-old, a four-year-old and a two-year-old. We don’t have to worry about this yet, but I’m certain—because kids are kids—that one day, one of my kids is going to take something or do something that I don’t want them to take. But I don’t want that mistake to ruin their life. I want them to learn from it. I want their parents to be able to punish them. I don’t want our kids to make mistakes on American streets and have it take their lives away from them," he said, suggesting that he recognizes when his children grow up they may experiment with certain substances such as marijuana, but he’s more concerned with potentially lethal contamination. (8/16/24)
Attorney, Johnnie L. Turner, PSC. Baptist. JD. US Army Medic, 1967-1969. KY Bar Assoc.
Christian. African American Episcopal. UofL, BA, Sports Admin. EKU, MA, Corrections/Juvenile Justice Studies.
Attorney, Law Offices of David Yates, PLLC. Catholic. UofL, BA Political Science, Salmon P. Chase College of Law, JD. Louisville Metro Council Member, 2010-2020. Louisville Metro Council, Pres, 2016-2017. Louisville Business First's Forty Under 40, 2017. Outstanding Alumnus, UofL Political Science Dept, 2016. Greater Louisville Inc's Most Valuable Policy Maker, 2016. Insider Louisville's Top Influential Leaders, 2016-2017-2018. Holy Cross Silver Cross of Heroism Award.
Jefferson Co Public Schools. Bellarmine, MAT, PhD Ed. UofL, BS, MBA Mgt. JCTA Bd of Dir. NAMI KY Bd of Dir. Bellarmine Outstanding Prospective Educator Award, 2009.
On Purpose Consulting, Consultant. Stephens College for Women, BFA. Coalition Supporting Youth Advocates, Education Committee Member. ChooseWell Communities, Advisory Board Member. UK, Foster Mentor. Aetna SKY Governance, Advisory Board Member. JCPS Family Resource Center, Former Member. Coleridge Taylor Montessori, Board of Advisors. The Producers Inc, Former board member and Scholarship Chair.
Unitarian Universalist. Clinical Psychology, Ph.D. APA Citizen Psychologist. KY Psychological Assoc, Former Exec Dir.
Born March 25, 1997. Contract Worker. Former, Metro Council Legislative Aide. Catholic. Notre Dame Academy. Holy Cross High School. U of L, BS Political Science. The Little Loomhouse, Board President. Pi Beta Phi KY Alpha. The Political Women’s Council. The League of Women Voters. The Southwest Dream Team. Louisville Girls Leadership, Alumni. St. Lawrence Catholic Parish. Class of 2015, Salutatorian
Colonel Stevenson has held a long career of serving as a Judge Advocate General's Corps in the U.S. Airforce and is currently a representative in the Kentucky State House. The Colonel differs from her opponent's "tough on crime" approach. She instead wants to go beyond arresting and incarcerating more Kentuckians to sustainable solutions that invest in people and their futures.
Entrepreneur. Catholic. Bishop David HS. UofL, BS. Attended UK Grad School. North American One-Armed Golfer Assn, founder & Bd member. Pleasure Valley Lions Club, Bd member. US Adaptive Golf Alliance, Bd member.
Born January 29. Micah Legal, Founder. Christian(DOC). FSU, BSW. UChicago, AM. UofCincinnati, JD. Ky Bar Assoc. Fayette Co Bar Assoc. National Assoc. of Social Workers. Monumental Women of KY. KBA-YLD, Young Lawyer Service to Community Award.
UK Facilities Mgt, Supplier Diversity Business Enterprise Coordinator. Catholic. Tennessee State Univ, BS Business Administration. Kappa Alpha Psi Frat, Inc. KBC-LEO. LFUCG Council 1994-2006.
Born January 28, 1982. IT Manager. Catholic. WKU, BS. Henry Clay PTSA. Morton Middle School PTSA, former treasurer. Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center, former Bd member. Lansdowne Neighborhood Assoc.
Non-Profit Event Planner/Producer. Christian. Morehead State Univ, BS Behavioral Science. American Cancer Society, Bd member. The Women's Network, Fayette Co. TheToy Chest Children's Charity, member. Surgery on Sunday, member.
Support Professional, Fayette Co. Public Schools. Jewish. UofL, BA/MA Political Science. Hadassah, Lifetime Member.
Former state Attorney General Andy Beshear narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Matt Bevins on November 5, 2019. Now he is looking to retain his seat as a Democratic incumbant in an otherwise Republican controlled state. Andy Beshear used his pardon power in 2022 to allow possession up to eight ounces of cannabis bought legally in another state with a doctor’s certification that they have at least one of 21 specified medical conditions.
Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman has been outspoken in her approval of medical marijuana legalization especially for veterans.
Senator Mills has been outspoken in his opposition to medical marijuana. In 2020, Mills and other KY legislators held a press conference outlining their staunch opposition to legalizing medical marijuana in that state (see HB136)
SOKY Jobs, VP of sales. Christian. California State Univ, BA. Fullerton College, AA. Staff NCO Academy, US Marine Corp. US Marine Corp, 1972-1981. Fellowship of Christian Athletes Barren River Area Bd member. BG Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
Attorney, Law Offices of David Yates, PLLC. Catholic. UofL, BA Political Science, Salmon P. Chase College of Law, JD. Louisville Metro Council Member, 2010-2020. Louisville Metro Council, Pres, 2016-2017. Louisville Business First's Forty Under 40, 2017. Outstanding Alumnus, UofL Political Science Dept, 2016. Greater Louisville Inc's Most Valuable Policy Maker, 2016. Insider Louisville's Top Influential Leaders, 2016-2017-2018. Holy Cross Silver Cross of Heroism Award.
Jefferson Co Public Schools. Bellarmine, MAT, PhD Ed. UofL, BS, MBA Mgt. JCTA Bd of Dir. NAMI KY Bd of Dir. Bellarmine Outstanding Prospective Educator Award, 2009.
On Purpose Consulting, Consultant. Stephens College for Women, BFA. Coalition Supporting Youth Advocates, Education Committee Member. ChooseWell Communities, Advisory Board Member. UK, Foster Mentor. Aetna SKY Governance, Advisory Board Member. JCPS Family Resource Center, Former Member. Coleridge Taylor Montessori, Board of Advisors. The Producers Inc, Former board member and Scholarship Chair.
Unitarian Universalist. Clinical Psychology, Ph.D. APA Citizen Psychologist. KY Psychological Assoc, Former Exec Dir.
Born March 25, 1997. Contract Worker. Former, Metro Council Legislative Aide. Catholic. Notre Dame Academy. Holy Cross High School. U of L, BS Political Science. The Little Loomhouse, Board President. Pi Beta Phi KY Alpha. The Political Women’s Council. The League of Women Voters. The Southwest Dream Team. Louisville Girls Leadership, Alumni. St. Lawrence Catholic Parish. Class of 2015, Salutatorian
House Session Standing Committee
Judiciary (H) (Member)
Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H) (Member)
Small Business & Information Technology (H) (Member)
Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H) (Member)
BR Sub. on Justice, Public Safety, & Judiciary (H) (Liaison Member)
Interim Joint Committee
Judiciary (Member)
Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (Member)
Economic Development & Workforce Investment (Member)
BR Sub. on Justice & Judiciary (Liaison Member)
Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (Member)
Statutory Committee
Commission on Race & Access to Opportunity (Member)
Caucus
Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus (Member)
Women's Caucus (Member)
Affordable Housing Caucus (Member)
Bourbon Trail Caucus (Member)
Kentucky Nonprofit Caucus (Member)
Louisville Metropolitan Caucus (Member)
Kentucky History Caucus (Member)
Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperatives Caucus (Member)
Kentucky Sportsmen's Caucus (Member)
Engage and Empower Caucus (Member)
Educator. DuPont Manual High School. Columbia Univ, BA & MA Journalism. Marian Univ, MAT & Teaching. Teach for America.
Christian. African American Episcopal. UofL, BA, Sports Admin. EKU, MA, Corrections/Juvenile Justice Studies.
Colonel Stevenson has held a long career of serving as a Judge Advocate General's Corps in the U.S. Airforce and is currently a representative in the Kentucky State House. The Colonel differs from her opponent's "tough on crime" approach. She instead wants to go beyond arresting and incarcerating more Kentuckians to sustainable solutions that invest in people and their futures.
BA. M Ed. MAT. Ed S.
Entrepreneur. Catholic. Bishop David HS. UofL, BS. Attended UK Grad School. North American One-Armed Golfer Assn, founder & Bd member. Pleasure Valley Lions Club, Bd member. US Adaptive Golf Alliance, Bd member.
Retired Educator. African Methodist Episcopal, St John AME Church. KSU, BA. Ohio State Univ, MA. St John AME Church, Steward Bd. South Frankfort Community Ctr Bd. Frankfort City Commissioner, former, Mayor Pro-Tem 1992-2000. KY YMCA Youth Assoc Bd, former member. Greenhill Cemetery Bd, former member. Franklin Co Council on Family Abuse Inc Bd, former member. Frankfort Salvation Army Advisory Bd, former member. Frankfort Arts Foundation, former member. South Frankfort Neighborhood Assoc, former member. Big Brothers/Big Sisters, former member. KSU Bd of Regents, Student Rep 1978-1980. Ed Committee Chair, 2013-2016
Self-employed/Rake Strategies. The Yoga Bar, owner. BA Business. Yale, Campaign School. Harvard Kennedy School. Leading Resilient Communities Program, Senior Executives in State and Local Govnt. Newport Biz Assoc, Bd member. Mental Health America, Bd member. Democratic State Central Executive Committee, member. Affordable Housing Caucus, member. Democrat of the Year. NKY Democrats Entrepreneur of the Year OTR Chamber.
Born January 29. Micah Legal, Founder. Christian(DOC). FSU, BSW. UChicago, AM. UofCincinnati, JD. Ky Bar Assoc. Fayette Co Bar Assoc. National Assoc. of Social Workers. Monumental Women of KY. KBA-YLD, Young Lawyer Service to Community Award.
Community Vol. Baptist. UK, BA. Lexington Chamber of Commerce. Democratic Women's Club. Musical Theater. Philharmonic Women's Guild. Bryan Station Neighborhood Assoc. Jr League. Professional Women's Club. League of Women Voters. Girl Scouts USA. Natl Conference of Christians, Jews. Focus on Family Child Care Council. UK Interdisciplinary Human Devel Inst, Bd. Bluegrass International Affairs. Navy League. Am Cancer Soc, Bd, past Pres. UK Fellow. UK Children's Miracle Network Telethon, Steering Council. Am Symphony Orchestra League, vol council. UK Devel Council. Governor's Advisory Commission on Federal Funding for Ed. Lexington Outstanding Young Woman 1982. Sayre School's Dorothy Moomaw Miles Service Award 1986. Leadership Lexington 1988. Leadership Am 1989. Governor's Vol Activist Award 1989.
UK Facilities Mgt, Supplier Diversity Business Enterprise Coordinator. Catholic. Tennessee State Univ, BS Business Administration. Kappa Alpha Psi Frat, Inc. KBC-LEO. LFUCG Council 1994-2006.
Born January 28, 1982. IT Manager. Catholic. WKU, BS. Henry Clay PTSA. Morton Middle School PTSA, former treasurer. Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center, former Bd member. Lansdowne Neighborhood Assoc.
Non-Profit Event Planner/Producer. Christian. Morehead State Univ, BS Behavioral Science. American Cancer Society, Bd member. The Women's Network, Fayette Co. TheToy Chest Children's Charity, member. Surgery on Sunday, member.
Support Professional, Fayette Co. Public Schools. Jewish. UofL, BA/MA Political Science. Hadassah, Lifetime Member.