Brad Pitt and Legal Pot

by Matt Kelley · 2009-08-16 11:48:00 UTC
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Bra d Pitt sparked discussion among drug reformers this week - and got the attention of mainstream America - when he said on the Today Show that he supports legalizing and taxing marijuana. And although he threw the statement out as a joke, and it was taken as such, every little bit helps. Celebrities lining up behind this important cause could make an enormous difference.

It's important that celebrities raise this issue, but it's critical that they do it in a serious way. When Bill Maher asked Pitt to elaborate on his support for legalization on Real Time on Friday, the conversation went straight to jokes about Brad's supposed joint-rolling talents, and another opportunity to discuss the real facts of the issue was missed.

Of course, enlisting the help of Hollywood in progressive reform can always be a double-edged sword. Brad Pitt has enormous reach, but we already have a problem with the drug reform movement not being taken seriously. When someone like Brad Pitt joins the cause, it can raise awareness but it may also further alienate the middle-America voters that would need to be onboard before legalization of marijuana could happen. This is a concern, but in my eyes the benefits outweigh the risks.

For a fact-sheet you can share with friends, family, neighbors and your local A-list celebrity before he mentions this issue on national TV, download a helpful fact sheet from the Marijuana Policy Project here. (The link goes straight to the PDF)

Pitt was in New Orleans pitching his wonderful Make It Right project, which aims to build 150 homes in New Orleans' Ninth Ward by the end of next year. As we mark the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina this month, Make It Right is celebrating the opening of its first 15 homes. The marijuana comment came up because Ann Curry asked him about T-shirts people are wearing in N.O. calling for Pitt to run for mayor. He laughed off the challenge, saying he wouldn't run and that he'd have no chance because he'd be running on the "gay marriage, no religion, legalization and taxation of marijuana platform."

Maybe not mayor, Brad, but we'll take you as a spokesperson.

Matt Kelley is the Online Communications Manager at the Innocence Project and a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow him on Twitter @mattjkelley.
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