Eric Beach (R) vs Lee Snodgrass (D) for 57th Assembly District

Eric J. Beach, a Fox Valley businessman, has announced his candidacy for 57th Assembly District.

Beach served for 20+ years in the US military, 15 of those with Appleton’s own 2-127th Infantry, deploying twice to Iraq during that time. As such he brings a strong appreciation for service to the community and an intimate understanding of how to prepare for and defend individual and collective community rights.

Our chapter was first introduced to Eric Beach when he spoke to our chapter about his campaign at a meeting in the Appleton Public Library early this spring. If you do not know his stance on marijuana reform, we got your answer. We have had some great conversations with him and he completed our 2020 Candidate Questionnaire, here are the candidates view on marijuana reform:

Over three dozen US states and territories, not including Wisconsin, are regulating marijuana for medical and/or adult-use, despite marijuana’s federal illegality. Ending federal prohibition would alleviate the tension between these states and the US government and allow states to set their own policies free from federal interference. Do you support or oppose ending the federal prohibition of marijuana?

Support

Please provide a position statement regarding legalizing the medical use of marijuana.

If a licensed medical professional and their patient thinks the prescription of marijuana is a viable treatment option, then it should be considered. I don’t want to, nor am I qualified to debate the semantics of the pros and cons of use. Healthcare if definitely a practice, patients and providers seek the best care options. Benefit and risk of each care option should be carefully evaluated and considered. I don’t condone or condemn the use prescription or non-prescription drugs as medical treatments; however, marijuana does seem in my view a much more natural option than some of the drugs big-pharma produces. As a Veteran, and knowing that many Veterans struggle with PTSD (Post traumatic Stress Disorder). I am fully supportive of any care that helps our veterans manage stress, reintegrate and remain productive members of our communities.

Do you support or oppose decriminalizing the simple possession of marijuana?

Support

Please provide a position statement regarding decriminalizing the simple possession of marijuana.

I support decriminalization, legalization, and a well-regulated marketization of marijuana. Criminalization of marijuana has long lasting effects on individuals. A single infringement by anyone will get possession of a controlled substance on their record. This in many instances prohibits them from many employment, housing and other opportunities for the rest of their life. Criminalization of minor marijuana use/possession has long lasting personal and social impact. Marijuana charges account for 61% of our states drug arrests. It would be nice if law enforcement could put their efforts into more dangerous offences and substances.

The prohibition of marijuana allows for the disproportionate criminalization of black and brown Wisconsinites, despite similar rates of consumption across all races and ethnicities. The impacts of marijuana criminalization are far reaching and include long-lasting collateral consequences well beyond the criminal charge. Do you support the automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana possession convictions?

Yes

Please provide a position statement regarding automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana possession convictions.

If the conviction is non-violent, no intent to distribute, and in small quantity. Yes, the effect of the criminal record to the individual’s ability to achieve or seek opportunity in the future are so greatly impacted that the individuals may become socially/economically ‘cornered’. Meaning that a person with no or little options may have to make rash decisions. I’m not advocating that criminal history is ignored, but in this instance, I think there is more harm than good. However, if it becomes legalized expungement is almost a moot point.

Legalizing the responsible adult-use of marijuana provides states the opportunity to take marijuana off the street corner and place it behind an age-verified counter to better provide for consumer and public safety and prevent youth access. Taxing and regulating the adult-use of marijuana also provides economic stimulus through job creation and tax revenue. Do you support or oppose legalizing and regulating the responsible use of marijuana by adults?

Support

Please provide a position statement regarding legalizing and regulating the responsible use of marijuana by adults.

I support legalization and well-regulated adult use, for several reasons. The first reason is personal liberty, adults in my opinion should be able to choose how to live their life. We are faced with personal choice at all times, people still work and contribute positively even though alcohol and entertainment are personal options. Another reason is marketization and regulation, marijuana use is already in our culture. With marketization and regulation safeguards are set in place and it brings it off the black market and into a revenue generating market. Another is criminalization, we can’t continue to label and mark individuals for every minor offense God should judge us.

Learn more about the campaign of Eric Beach by following his campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Beachfor57Assembly/ and visiting his website at: https://www.beachfor57.org/

VS

In October 2018 Lee Snodgrass was interviewed in mainstream media and we archived that ‘cannabis conversation’ here. In addition, her 2018 Candidate Survey is archived (Thanks SE WI NORML!). Earlier this summer Lee Snodgrass reached out to our chapter and met with Executive Director Kris Teegardin to discuss marijuana reform in depth. We are are happy to report that her 2020 Campaign Website does have marijuana reform as an important campaign issue:

Marijuana Legalization ?

Core Belief: Marijuana is proven less harmful than alcohol and if we legalize it, we can regulate it and tax it. This would provide alternative pain relief options, keep more people out of our overcrowded prisons and be an economic boon for Wisconsin’s economy.

I support medical and recreational marijuana legalization in the state of Wisconsin and support removing marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances. Wisconsin has some of the harshest penalties related to marijuana possession, sale and cultivation. Wisconsin prisons have bloated to over 23,000 incarcerated leading to dangerous, overcrowded conditions. We can drastically cut down on the prison population by doing away with incarceration of non-violent, low-level drug offenders.

Additionally, with the opioid crisis impacting communities throughout Wisconsin, we need to consider legalization as part of a viable solution. In studies published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found that states that allow the use of cannabis for medical purposes had 2.21 million fewer daily doses of opioids prescribed per year under Medicare Part D, compared with those states without medical cannabis laws. Opioid prescriptions under Medicaid also dropped by 5.88% in states with medical cannabis laws compared with states without such laws, according to the studies.

Learn more about her campaign on Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SnodgrassforWI/ and visit her webisite at: http://votesnodgrass.com/