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Julian Castro on Drugs

Democratic Presidential Challenger (withdrawn); former HUD Secretary

 


Send high-level executives to jail for opioids & corruption

Sen. Kamala HARRIS: I think of this as being a matter of justice and accountability, because they are nothing more than some high-level dope dealers. The eight biggest pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies last year profited $72 billion on the of people that have been overwhelmed by this crisis, which is a public health epidemic. They should be held accountable. Let's end that failed war on drugs and go after these pharmaceutical companies for what they've been doing to destroy

CASTRO: They need to be held accountable, not only financially, but also criminal penalties. You know, you can draw a straight line between making sure that we hold executives accountable, whether it's these drug manufacturers or Wall Street executives that should have been held accountable a decade and a half ago.

Source: October Democratic CNN/NYTimes Primary debate , Oct 15, 2019

Decriminalize and legalize marijuana

Legalizing marijuana is an issue that has seen a steady uptick in support over the years. Fifteen states have decriminalized marijuana while 10 others and the District of Columbia have legalized the drug, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.

Many in the Democratic presidential primary field have issued full-throated support for legalizing the drug on the federal level. Earlier this year, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Marijuana Justice Act, which would legalize marijuana on the federal level and expunge the records of those who have been charged with a crime for using or possessing the drug. Several Democratic presidential contenders have signed on as cosponsors of the measure: Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Former HUD Secretary Julian Castro are among the candidates that have also signaled support for legalization efforts.

Source: Denver CBS Local on 2020 Democratic presidential primary , May 16, 2019

Crack down on traffickers of dangerous drugs like fentanyl

I would make sure we have harsh penalties against people who traffic in fentanyl and similar drugs. We need to make smart investments in our ports of entry so that we can crack down further on the trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs. One thing that I believe we should do is to better invest in security at our ports of entry so that we can do things like catch more of the fentanyl that is coming through.
Source: CNN Town Hall: 2020 presidential hopefuls , Apr 11, 2019

Legalize and regulate marijuana; expunge criminal records

I actually support the legalization of marijuana. It's going to be regulated, right? People are not going to be able to do whatever they want, but a well-regulated, legalized system of marijuana, I think, makes sense. On top of that, we need to go back and expunge the records of people who were imprisoned because of using marijuana.
Source: CNN Town Hall: 2020 presidential hopefuls , Apr 11, 2019

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Other big-city mayors on Drugs: Julian Castro on other issues:

Tom Barrett (D,Milwaukee)
Bill de Blasio (D,NYC)
Rahm Emanuel (D,Chicago)
Bob Filner (D,San Diego)
Steven Fulop (D,Jersey City)
Eric Garcetti (D,Los Angeles)
Mike Rawlings (D,Dallas)
Marty Walsh (D,Boston)

Former Mayors:
Rocky Anderson (I,Salt Lake City)
Tom Barrett (D,Milwaukee,WI)
Mike Bloomberg (I,New York City)
Cory Booker (D,Newark,NJ)
Jerry Brown (D,Oakland,CA)
Julian Castro (D,San Antonio,TX)
Rudy Giuliani (R,New York City)
Phil Gordon (D,Phoenix)
Tom Menino (D,Boston)
Dennis Kucinch (D,Cleveland,OH)
Michael Nutter (D,Philadelphia)
Sarah Palin (R,Wasilla,AK)
Annise Parker (D,Houston)
Jerry Sanders (R,San Diego)
Antonio Villaraigosa (D,Los Angeles) 		Abortion
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Page last updated: Mar 25, 2021