A Bernie Sanders supporter at the convention.
Bernie Sanders’ delegates at the Iowa Democratic Party’s state convention successfully inserted many of their policy objectives in the party platform, including a call to legalize not just marijuana, but all drugs.
Jason Frericks, a Sanders supporter from Red Oak, did not vote for the proposal.
“But the thought process behind legalizing all drugs was this: The drug war has been a massive failure. We need to start coming up with reasonable ways to address this problem,” Frerichs says, “besides criminalizing addiction.”
Frerichs has read “chatter” online suggesting Republicans may use this policy proclamation against Democratic candidates, but Frerichs doesn’t think it will work.
“I think that most people who are reasonable think that the way we approach the drug war and addiction in this country is ridiculous,” Frerich says.
This morning, Governor Terry Branstad — a Republican — was asked about how candidates view party platforms.
“The platform is a statement of the grassroots and it doesn’t necessarily represent the views of the candidates,” Branstad told reporters this morning.
The Sanders delegates also secured “progressive” planks in the Iowa Democratic Party platform that call for a single-payer health care system and getting rid of “super delegates” at the party’s national convention. This weekend, Frerichs — who is chairman of Montgomery County Democrats — was elected chairman of the newly-created Iowa Democratic Party Progressive Caucus. The caucus has 360 members today and Frerichs is now a member of the Iowa Democratic Party’s state central committee.