2014 Colorado Cannabis Voters Guide

The Cannabis Consumers Union is a cannabis consumer advocacy organization that does not endorse any one political party, but strives to provide the cannabis community with information on which candidates support cannabis so that members can make informed choices based on their own political party’s candidates. Below is a list of candidates running for election or re-election and their views and voting history on cannabis. Please note that this list will be updated as we get closer to the general election in November:
Governor
John W. Hickenlooper (D- Incumbent) – Has a terrible record of coming out against cannabis legalization and not supporting the economic growth of an industry that has provided 10,000 new jobs, nearly $50 million in sales, and potentially $98 million is tax revenue for the state.
Tom Tancredo (R) – Supports cannabis.
Scott Gessler (R) – No known position on cannabis.
Bob Beauprez (R) – No known position on cannabis.
Mike Kopp (R) – Kopp is concerned about the impact cannabis legalization will have on children. He did not support legalization and wants to be tough on cannabis as he thinks legalization has been disastrous for public safety.
Matthew Hess (L) – Supports cannabis and was opposed to the extra sales tax on cannabis.
Mike Donafon (I) – Libertarian activist who is very vocal supporter of cannabis and is endorsed by the Denver 420 Rally.
Lieutenant Governor
Joseph Garcia (D – Incumbent) – Is currently Gov. Hickenlooper’s Lieutenant Governor and more than likely supports the same negative views, although there is no known position on cannabis that can be located online.
Vera Ortegon (R) – Mike Kopp’s running who does not support cannabis and has gone as far as saying that cannabis is not medicine.
Brandon Young (I) – Matthew Hess’s running mate. No known position on cannabis.
Attorney General
Don Quick (D) – Opposed cannabis legalization.
Cynthia Koffman (R) – Has stated that she will defend voters’ will, even if she does not personally believe in cannabis legalization.
David K. Williams (L) – Very public supporter of cannabis legalization and was a speaker on behalf of the Amendment 64 campaign.
United States Senate
Mark Udall (D) – On record supporting cannabis reform and in 2001 cosponsored a bill entitled “States’ Rights to Medical Marijuana Act.”
Cory Gardner (R) – Recently (as of 2014) voted against defunding medical marijuana raids.
United States House of Representatives
Diana DeGette (D- District 1) – Long time supporter of cannabis and recently introduced a bill entitled “Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act.”
Martin Walsh (R – District 1) – Walsh is running against DeGette. He has not stated and position on cannabis and his campaign staff did not reply to a request for information.
Jared Polis (D – District 2) – Jared Polis is a very vocal advocate of cannabis and is also pushing for legalization at the federal level by introducing a bill to remove authority over cannabis from the DEA called the “Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act .”
George Leing (R – District 2) – No known position on cannabis.
Scott Tipton (R – District 3) – Does not support cannabis and recently voted against defunding the DEA’s medical marijuana program and thinks that cannabis legalization is dangerous for children.
David Cox (R – District 4) – Considers using cannabis a states’ rights issue and that the Controlled Substance Act is unconstitutional.
Vic Meyers (D – District 4) – Believes cannabis legalization is a states’ rights issue and that the Federal Government should respect state rights.
Ken Buck (R – District 4) – The Weld County District Attorney is against marijuana legalization.
Steve Laffey (R – District 4) – Is against cannabis legalization, opposes banking for the cannabis industry, and believes that Colorado is the laughing stock of the country.
Barbara Kirkmeyer (R – District 4) – No known position on cannabis.
Scott Renfroe (R – District 4) – Voting record suggests support for cannabis, however in 2010 stated that the National Guard be called against medical marijuana activists protesting at the capitol. Renfroe voted for cannabis regulations, against extra cannabis sales taxes, and against setting marijuana DUID bill.
Doug Lamborn (R – District 5) – Lamborn is neutral on cannabis legalization and recently voted yes to defund the DEA’s medical marijuana program. In an interview with Colorado Pols, he said he once voted marijuana legislation that was funded by George Soros.
Bentley Rayburn (R – District 5) – No known position on cannabis. In an interview with Colorado Pols, he shows no real commitment by saying that there is potential for medical marijuana, but that marijuana is a dangerous drug.
Irv Halter (D – District 5) – No known position on cannabis.
Mike Coffman (R – District 6) – Voted against Amendment 64, but stated that he respects the will of voters, supports the Colorado cannabis banking bill, and recently voted for defunding the DEA’s medical marijuana program. He also believes that cannabis legalization will keep Fortune 500 companies out of Colorado.
Andrew Romanoff (D – District 6) – Supported controversial blue wording for Amendment 44 in 2006 essentially stating that if passed, adults could give cannabis to minors who were under 15 years old.
Ed Perlmutter (D – District 7) – Supports marijuana and recently introduced the “Commonsense Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act.”
Don Ytterberg (R – District 7) – No known position on cannabis.
Douglass Campbell (Constitution Party District 7) – No known position on cannabis.
Colorado Congressional District Map