While we try to keep this blog away from sensational stories, we’re sharing this one, which we first saw in High Times because it illustrates the hypocrisy that so pervades the marijuana movement – medical or otherwise.
Last February, Robert Watson, the minority leader in the Rhode Island House of Representatives made speech expressing his opposition to the decriminalization of marijuana possession and use. Specifically, he said that this was only a wise idea, “…if you are a Guatemalan gay man who likes to gamble and smokes marijuana.”
It’s delightfully ironic, then, that Watson was stopped at a police checkpoint last Friday and charged with marijuana possession. According to the police report, Watson smelled of alcohol and pot smoke, and was speaking with slurred words. He also had trouble passing a sobriety test, and the arresting officers found a wooden pipe and a bag of what appeared to be marijuana in Watson’s pocket.
In addition to the charge for marijuana possession, Watson faces other charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence.
Watson said that his Breathalyzer result was “…well below the legal limit of .08,” and that he was “…safe and sober…” on the road.
