[1]In news that sets him apart from a crowded field of contenders for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring U.S. Representative Jim Moran in Virginia’s Eighth Congressional District, state Senator Adam Ebbin [2] today received the endorsement of NORML PAC, the political arm of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
In a news release and blog post [3] dated April 28, the political action committee explained why it was supporting Ebbin, who represents the 30th state senate district and formerly served as delegate from the 49th district:
“NORML PAC believes strongly that Senator Ebbin has the tenacity, coalition building skills, and political acumen required to help end our country’s destructive war on marijuana consumers,” stated NORML PAC Manager Erik Altieri, “Outgoing Congressman Jim Moran has a long history of supporting important marijuana law reform proposals at the federal level and Adam Ebbin is a proven and effective leader that will carry on that important legacy by working to roll back the damage marijuana prohibition is having on families and communities across the nation.”
Ebbin eagerly accepted the endorsement, as well:
“I have a record of supporting decriminalization and, like President Obama, do not believe that the effects of marijuana are more harmful than alcohol,” Senator Ebbin said. “For more than a decade, I’ve been fighting for progressive causes in the General Assembly. In Virginia, marijuana-related arrests make up over 50% of all drug-related arrests, costing the state over $67 million. We must focus our time and resources on job creation, clean energy, healthcare, education, and our economy. I look forward to continuing my work for our shared progressive values as the next member of Congress from the 8th District.”
In addition to the national NORML PAC endorsement, Ebbin received a similar note of support from the state affiliate, Virginia NORML.
Ebbin faces nine opponents in the Democratic primary on June 10: former Virginia lieutenant governor Don Beyer [4], retired non-profit manager Lavern Chatman [5], Alexandria mayor Bill Euille [6], state delegates Charniele Herring [7] and Patrick Hope [8], Virginia Tech professor Derek Hyra [9], structural engineer Satish Korpe [10], talk radio host Mark Levine [11], and former Navy pilot Bruce Shuttleworth [12].
All of the candidates characterize themselves as progressive Democrats (Levine calls himself the “aggressive progressive” and Shuttleworth claims the title “progressive warrior”) so any point of differentiation among them is going to boost the candidate who earns it.
Ebbin’s declared support for marijuana law reform tracks with current public opinion on the issue, which has expanded [13] from a core of libertarian activists to a majority of Americans across the political spectrum. For instance, recent Pew Research Center [14] poll shows 69 percent of Americans think alcoholic beverages are more harmful than marijuana, with only 15 percent saying marijuana is more harmful than alcohol. That same poll showed [15] support for marijuana legalization winning 54 to 42 percent.
If I were to bet on the outcome of the Eighth District Democratic primary, I would give a slight edge to Don Beyer, with Adam Ebbin coming in a close second and the other eight candidates trailing — but those top two outcomes could be reversed.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican nominee Micah Edmond [16] and Libertarian candidate Jeffrey Carson [17] in November.
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