MJBiz - September/October 2024 - 40

HIGH STAKES
V O T E
ME-02
Jared Golden
(D-incumbent)
Austin Theriault (R)
Cook Political Report
Ratings Summary
Toss-up, slight Democrat
advantage
NORML
Grade
A
C
Cannabis Voter Project
Supports state and federal
legalization
No rating
Democratic incumbent Jared Golden is considered one of marijuana reform's biggest allies. He co-sponsored the
2023 SAFE Banking Act, voted in favor of the MORE Act and, in 2021, was one of three congressmen to introduce
legislation that would allow state-regulated marijuana businesses to access Small Business Administration loans.
Golden's challenger is former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault. The Republican challenger voted to seal criminal
records on marijuana crimes related to possession and cultivation, but otherwise he hasn't left much of a public
record about his position on marijuana.
NM-02
Gabriel Vasquez (D)
Yvette Herrell (R)
Cook Political Report
Ratings Summary
Toss-up, slight Democrat
advantage
NORML
Grade
No rating
F
Cannabis Voter Project
Supports state legalization,
opposes federal legalization
Opposes all legalization
This is a rematch of New Mexico's most recent 2nd Congressional
District race, when incumbent Gabriel Vasquez ousted Yvette Herrell in
2022. During her two-year term, Herrell opposed all marijuana reform
measures, even research.
While NORML doesn't have a grade for Vasquez, he has made positive
statements about cannabis reform.
" Legalizing cannabis is part of this new, radical strategy to diversify
the state's economy, create nearly 11,000 jobs and jumpstart a brand
new, small-business economy that could benefit every corner of the
state. ... We strongly support the legalization of cannabis in New Mexico, " Vasquez wrote in the Alburquerque
Journal in 2020.
NORML's Fox noted that Vasquez is working on legislation that would force federal border authorities to stop
intercepting state-legal cannabis transporters.
Gabriel Vasquez
Yvette Herrell
NY-17
Michael Lawler
(R-incumbent)
Mondaire Jones (D)
Cook Political Report
Ratings Summary
Toss-up
NORML
Grade
DA+
Yet
another rematch from the 2022 election, when then-challenger
Michael Lawler defeated Mondaire Jones, the incumbent.
As a state legislator, Lawler voted against New York's adult-use
legalization measure, Senate Bill 854.
When Jones was in office, he co-sponsored the MORE Act and the
SAFE Banking Act. When the Biden administration fired several
staffers who reported past use of marijuana, Jones protested the
move.
" I have in the past smoked marijuana. I do not currently smoke
marijuana, but if I did, it wouldn't be a problem, " Jones told the
New York Daily News in March 2021, after he and 29 other House
Democrats sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to reinstate the fired staffers.
Cannabis Voter Project
Opposes state and federal
legalization
No rating
Mondaire Jones
Michael Lawler
40 September-October 2024 | MJBizMagazine

MJBiz - September/October 2024

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