Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Gary Chambers of Louisiana released a new ad that shows him smoking a cannabis blunt. The video is designed to help destigmatize marijuana and promote a path toward legalization. Former President Barack Obama famously smoked weed in his youth, but this is the first time we’ve seen a political candidate take an approach this bold.
Photo via Gary Chambers political ad
The Goal is to Normalize and Legalize Cannabis Use
“I hope this ad works to not only destigmatize the use of marijuana, but also forces a new conversation that creates the pathway to legalize this beneficial drug, and forgive those who were arrested due to outdated ideology,” Chambers said in the ad.
Cannabis-Related Arrests Have Been Used as a Tool of Discrimination
While cannabis is currently being touted as having numerous health benefits, historically it has been used as a reason to lock up Black people. The racial disparity in cannabis-related arrests persisted for decades.
Unfortunately, cannabis-related arrests are still happening in Louisiana and other states that have not legalized marijuana.
“Every 37 seconds someone is arrested for possession of marijuana. Black people are four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana laws than white people,” Chambers said. “States waste $3.7 billion enforcing marijuana laws every year. Most of the people police are arresting aren’t dealers, but rather people with small amounts of pot, just like me.”
Many States are Working Toward Legalization, but Only 18 Have Achieved Success
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, eighteen states and Washington, D.C. have legalized marijuana for recreational use while twenty-seven states have decriminalized it.
Photo via Diyahna Lewis on Unsplash
“We must move toward criminal justice reform regarding marijuana arrests by pushing away the stigma and being real,” Chambers said in a statement to CBS News.
Chambers is a progressive activist who finished third in a special election primary race to fill former Congressman Cedric Richmond’s seat last year. Louisiana has a Democratic governor but leans heavily Republican.
Chambers is now in the running to challenge Republican Senator John Kennedy. Candidate Smokes Cannabis
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