Politics
Lawmaker Apologizes For Saying Black People Are Genetically Predisposed To Abuse Drugs
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A Republican Kansas lawmaker apologized Monday for claiming that black people had a genetic predisposition to abuse drugs like marijuana.
Republican state Rep. Steve Alford previously argued against the legalization of marijuana while speaking at a Garden City hospital Saturday, reports The Washington Post.
During his speech, Alford claimed marijuana was previously outlawed because black people often reacted poorly to the drugs because of their “character makeup — their genetics and that.” He added that black people were “basically users.”
“One of the reasons why, I hate to say it, was that the African Americans, they were basically users and they basically responded the worst off to those drugs just because of their character makeup, their genetics and that. And so basically what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to do a complete reverse with people not remembering what has happened in the past,” Alford told the crowd.
Some state lawmakers distanced themselves from Alford’s remarks, while one attendee called his comments “the most racist thing he has ever heard.” Alford eventually released a statement Monday, apologizing for any “hurt” he may have caused.
“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,” Alford said.
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