From out-and-proud Oscar winners to progressive southern Democrats, here are the week’s most notable cannabis quotables.
“I personally believe that what adults do behind closed doors and on private property is their choice, so long as it does not negatively impact the health and safety of others, especially children.”
—Vermont governor Phil Scott, who this week signed a bill legalizing cannabis possession in his state
“It totally works, it’s amazing.”
— Oscar-winning actor Charlize Theron, singing the praises of cannabis’ insomnia-conquering properties, on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
“This project didn’t start as a statement, it began as me wanting to make a film in my favorite genre. I sat down, and I would smoke a little bit of weed while I try to write a mind-bending horror film. At some point, I just followed the truth and realized there are people that are locked up for smoking less weed than I smoked while I wrote the movie.”
—Oscar-winning screenwriter Jordan Peele, in his acceptance speech after winning Best Director at the Independent Spirit Awards
“I’m the only chief of police in Lumberton that likes to smoke weed.”
—Shane Flynt, former police chief in Lumberton, Mississippi, in an online video that showed him smoking a bowl and quickly led to his suspension and resignation
“We assume that a certain level of employees are going to be partaking on the weekends. We don’t care. We’re going to exclude a whole group of people, and we desperately need workers.”
—Employment lawyer James Reidy, addressing the growing number of cannabis-friendly human resources policies, to Bloomberg
“Hidden beneath a dense canopy of deciduous trees is a prostitute of sorts. And those who profit by selling her will stop at nothing to exploit her. Sold and promoted for her non-addictive, even medicinal advantages, what lies behind the veil of this seductress is far different than what she first appears to be. She is a harlot, and her name is Mary Jane.”
—An anti-cannabis PSA produced by the NRA and aired on NRATV
In closing, a couple hopeful tweets from southern Democrats:
.@KYAlGentry says FDA approved painkillers were prescribed like candy. Cannabis doesn’t give the side effects of opioid-based painkillers. This product can be a safer option for people experiencing pain. #kyga18
— Kentucky Democrats (@KyDems) March 5, 2018
Medical marijuana treats serious and chronic illnesses like MS, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and more — and it should be available to all Tennesseans who need it. Sign on here if you agree: https://t.co/Z7Otb6DSPRpic.twitter.com/LNtZdJNiJA
— TN Democratic Party (@tndp) March 8, 2018