Kansas Lawmaker Makes Racist Comments about Cannabis and People of Color

Lawmakers, activists and the citizens of Kansas are outraged about recent comments that are specifically directed at people of color who are also cannabis consumers. Republican Rep. Steve Alford made racist comments at legislative session on Jan. 6, saying that people of color respond to cannabis especially negatively because of their “genetics” and “character makeup.”

Alford made the comments at a townhall meeting Saturday evening in Garden City, Kansas, with cameras rolling. Alford questioned whether America should return to its “Reefer Madness” days. “What you really need to do is go back in the ’30s when they outlawed all types of drugs in Kansas (and) across the United States, what was the reason they did that?” Alford said. “One of the reasons why, I hate to say it, the African-Americans, they were basically users and they basically responded the worst off those drugs just because (of) their character makeup, their genetics, and that.” The video was posted on YouTube by The Garden City Telegram.

Alford’s comments hit a sour note among other lawmakers and cannabis activists. “He needs to apologize to somebody, if nothing else the individuals of color in his own community,” Rep. Valdenia Winn, an African-American lawmaker from Kansas City told The Kansas City Star.

The comments ultimately forced Alford to issue an apology, but he added “Substance abuse is a blight on our society, and legalizing marijuana only opens the door to harder drugs. I have seen firsthand how drug abuse destroys lives, even within my own family, and I remain committed to fighting the spread of addiction in our state.” However, Alford’s apology did little to calm the emotions caused by his comments.