Rick Becker on Drugs

	Rick Becker on Drugs

I view marijuana as a victimless crime, would legalize

Becker is in favor of a pathway to legalizing marijuana, adding that step one in the legalization process would be to decriminalize or decrease the penalties for marijuana related crimes. "I view marijuana as a victimless crime and as such am not in favor of the state criminalizing victimless activities," he said. Source: The Spectrum (NDSU) on 2022 North Dakota Senate race , Jul 19, 2021

Supports medical marijuana and legalized pot

Candidates also had varied stances on potential marijuana ballot measures, one which would allow medical marijuana and another that would legalize marijuana in the state. "I would vote yes," Becker said of the measures.

Stenehjem said he's spoken to attorney generals in other states where marijuana has been legalized and didn't see any positives, vowing to vote against it. "North Dakota will not be healthier or safer," Stenehjem said.

Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial debate , Mar 3, 2016

Voted NO on drug testing for TANF & SNAP benefits

N.D. voting records for H.B. 1385 Rep. Rick Becker voted NAY on screening for controlled substances:

The department shall require every applicant for the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program and the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) to submit to a drug test to determine if the applicant is engaged in the illegal use of a controlled substance.

The cost of the drug testing is the responsibility of the individual tested.

An individual who tests positive for controlled substances as a result of a drug test required under this section is ineligible to receive TANF or SNAP benefits for one year.

An individual who tests positive in a second drug test is ineligible to receive TANF or SNAP benefits for three years.

Require that for two-parent families, both parents must comply with the drug testing requirement.

Legislative Outcome:

House vote 19-72-3 on Feb. 22, 2013 (bill failed)

Source: North Dakota Legislative voting records for H.B. 1385 , Feb 22, 2013

Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs. Click here for a summary of all issue stances of Rick Becker. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Rick Becker. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Rick Becker. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Rick Becker. Click here for issue positions of other ND politicians. Click here for ND primary archives. Click here for ND secondary archives.
*Other governors on Drugs:*			*Rick Becker on other issues:*
[Title7]	*Gubernatorial Debates 2023:* KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D) vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R) vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R) LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited) vs.Jeff Landry(R) vs.Shawn Wilson(D) vs.John Schroder(R) vs.Sharon Hewitt(R) MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R) vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew) vs.Brandon Presley(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2024:* DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited); Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. Matt Meyer (D) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. Bill Eigel (R) vs. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Tanner Smith (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); Dale Folwell (R) vs. Michael Morgan (D) vs. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Josh Stein (D) vs. Andy Wells (R) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Joyce Craig (D) vs. Chuck Morse (R) vs. Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) unopposed WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); Hilary Franz (D, withdrew) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited); vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]