opinion

Montini: Billboard mocks anti-marijuana fear tactics

Be unafraid. Be very, very unafraid.

The only reason Arizona residents would vote against a ballot proposal legalizing marijuana in a way that treats pot like alcohol -- is fear.

That’s it. That’s the only argument against it:

FEAR!

We know already that fear tactics will be the primary strategy used by those opposed to legalization. Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, who is serving as vice chairwoman of Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, is doing everything she can to make the case against marijuana legalization by scaring people.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol knows this.

That’s why they’ve put up the billboard shown above at Seventh and Lincoln streets.

It mocks the fear tactics. Has a little fun with the idea of combating them.

In a press release, campaign chairman J.P. Holyoak said, “Marijuana is illegal thanks to decades of anti-marijuana propaganda and fear mongering. Once people find out it is actually safer than alcohol, they tend to agree it should not be a crime for adults to use it responsibly.”

This is one of those issues -- like same-sex marriage -- that will change because the people making the choices for our future don't see things the same as their parents or grandparents. Younger people haven't been infused with the fear that previous generations received by way of propaganda films like "Reefer Madness," whose imagery the billboard is spoofing.

Those trying to prevent regulated legalization of marijuana are on the wrong side of history. It's going to change. It's only a matter of how soon.

Holyoak added, “Over the next 12 months, our opponents are going to do everything they can to scare Arizonans into keeping marijuana illegal. We just want voters to remember that we’re talking about a substance that is proven to be less harmful than alcohol.”

In order to get that message across, campaign organizers are going to have to inoculate the public from something that has proven to be much more harmful than marijuana or alcohol:

Fear.