Pubdate: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL) Copyright: 2014 Orlando Sentinel Contact: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325 Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs. Author: Scott Powers Page: B3 NEW PRO-MEDICAL MARIJUANA RADIO AD CALLED 'RACE BAITING' BY CRITICS A new pro-medical marijuana radio ad that ties the 1936 movie "Reefer Madness" to the outlawing of marijuana and to historic discriminatory enforcement against black people, has critics accusing the Amendment 2 campaign of pandering to black voters. Narrated by John Morgan, the ad was released last week by United For Care on urban radio stations, arguing that Amendment 2 can help right discriminatory laws if voters approve the medical marijuana initiative. Rhetta Peoples, a political commentator and columnist in the black press, said she admires Morgan's intentions and said everything in the ad is true. But she called the ad "race baiting" for "not differentiating between medical and "street" marijuana laws." Sarah Bascom, spokeswoman for the Amendment 2 opposition, Vote No On 2, said the ad is meant to incite "fear and anger," and she thinks it would be offensive to anyone. Morgan begins the 30-second spot by declaring, "The marijuana laws in this country are based on hatred and racism." "'Reefer Madness' set off a series of actions and laws that have for decades terribly discriminated based on race," he says in the ad. "A disproportionate number of African Americans have been profiled, arrested and jailed based on these laws. This election we have an opportunity to reverse some of that hatred with compassion." The ad insists that Amendment 2 would not legalize marijuana, just help suffering people. It concludes, "This year your vote is so important. They hope you stay home. Vote for compassion. Vote for Amendment 2. Power to the people." Amendment 2 would allow doctors to certify patients to use marijuana for "debilitating" illnesses and injuries, and would allow it to be grown, processed and sold for that purpose. United For Care's Ben Pollara said the ad is true and argues for compassion. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom