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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom