Talk show host and marijuana advocate Montel Williams spoke out against opponents of Arkansas’ proposed medical marijuana legalization measure, calling them “racist” for creating an ad which features an African American man as the drug dealer.
Williams spoke at the Arkansas Capitol on Thursday, along with members of Arkansans for Compassionate Care. Aside from the race issue, Montel also spoke out against the fact that the group portrayed medical marijuana patients as gun wielding gangsters.
Williams told a crowd, “Offensive is really an understatement. It’s the most egregiously racist, false statement you’ve ever seen in your life. They’ve people sitting in a picture holding guns, talking about medical marijuana, and of course they happen to be different colors to make sure you’re as irritated and angry as you can be.”
The ad in question was funded by the Family Council Action Committee. The ad’s narrator says that with medical marijuana, “The grass-growers and dope dealers would be in charge. Arkansas doesn’t need a state filled with stoned-out zombies, or the criminal activities that come from legalizing controlled substances.”
Williams believes the ad is misleading, using scare tactics to convince people not to consider medical marijuana legalization. He told reporters, “It’s a way to see if they can scare people into thinking this is something different than it is.”
Jerry Cox, the head of the Family Council Action Committee told the press, “Sure, [Williams] wanted to seize on that, but that’s not the message we’re sending. We’re sending a message that this harmful act is going to affect every family in this state if it passes.”
If voters approve Arkansas’ proposed medical marijuana law, patients suffering from cancer, HIV, AIDS, Glaucoma, and Alzheimer’s disease would be able to purchase and grow marijuana to help deal with the symptoms of their conditions.
Should Arkansans vote to legalize medical marijuana this November, Arkansas will become the first Southern state in the US to have a medical marijuana program.
[Source]
SweetSoulB said on Oct 19, 2012
AR- KAN- SAS- What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.
Wiscocheez said on Oct 25, 2012
say it again
Elvers said on Oct 19, 2012
the bunch are southern ding a lings. they don't get it and never will.besides when the federal Judges reverse the law their going to be out of luck, for what they've said and portrayed with their pictures, and prejudice that they do. like our governor here in AZ. the'll be eating their words.
Coleburgess said on Oct 19, 2012
you know i see what hes saying but its not like there were 10 commercials with black guys being the drug dealer it was one ad…
jibbler said on Oct 20, 2012
Come on 'yall!' You know better! Hypocrites and racists are in every state in this country.
txgreenman said on Oct 20, 2012
Yout tell em MONTEL!!!!!!!!!!!!
app25 said on Oct 20, 2012
Marijuan is going to become legal in Colorado, I would bet money on it
app25 said on Oct 20, 2012
MarijuanA
redlaser said on Oct 20, 2012
Like Jibbler said above, plus this is in the bible belt. A lot of hardcore Baptists, Christians etc. (Not that their is anything wrong with that, as long as it's not forced on others). From the Midwest myself so I'd be shocked to see anything pass there. Hell, they even still have dry (alcohol) counties in Arkansas, which is probably a good thing, don't see too much use for alcohol.
dayzaway99 said on Oct 20, 2012
the midwest is home to the stupidest people in the world. Most are highly religious and do not believe in scientific/ medical advancements, they hate weed, cuz they think its a black and mexican drug. Hence why making the drug dealer black in the AD would be effective to making them not want to pass medical marijuana. The midwest is a big part of the reason why this country cannot move foward and progress. States like texas, arkansas, montana, utah, dakota wyoming, indiana, are still living by 1800s puritan and quaker laws and hold back the country from advancement
Guardian said on Oct 20, 2012
Not too mention gay marriage and stem cell research. The Bible Belt is holding this country back. Lets move forward not stay in the past
SBStoner said on Oct 21, 2012
I sware Christianity is holding this country back so much. If it wasn't for this fake religion people wouldn't even have these biases in the first place… For the most part at least.