Here's What Happens When You Spend $1 Million to Keep Weed Illegal in 2016
(ANTIMEDIA) Proponents of marijuana legalization have launched a boycott against Discount Tire, a large corporation headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. The boycott began after the company donated $1 million to fight an upcoming ballot measure that, if passed, will legalize the plant for recreational use in the state.
According to the Phoenix New Times:
“Under Prop 205, it would be legal for adults of drinking age to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, which could be purchased at a state-run system of retail shops or grown in limited quantities for personal use. Possession of more than an ounce up to 2.5 ounces would be a non-arrestable civil offense subject to a $300 fine.”
The proposed change in policy is gaining popularity among Arizonans, nearly half of whom support the initiative. Shortly after Discount Tire (known as America’s Tire in California) made the donation to Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, the campaign group fighting to defeat the proposition, activists called for a boycott of the national brand. Activist Iain Davidson Kathy Inman of MomForce AZ, a group that raises awareness about the dangers of addictive pharmaceuticals and advocates on behalf of cannabis, were among the first to issue calls to consumers to stop doing business with the company.
Inman told Anti-Media she believes Discount Tire is either misinformed about the facts regarding cannabis or potentially attempting to use its donation as a marketing tool to show they are the “good guys” by opposing the legalization of a banned substance. Nevertheless, she stressed the dangers of opposing Prop. 205, especially in light of Big Pharma’s efforts to keep marijuana illegal.
“I appreciate what they’re trying to do,” she said of Discount Tire, “but unfortunately they’re contributing to the worst legal drug ring I’ve ever seen with folks who are ignoring facts about marijuana and opiate use.”
The Times reports the boycott is growing, and the hashtag #BoycottDiscountTire is cropping up in Twitter and Facebook posts. According to Facebook user Brandon Schaeffer:
“Just in this last year alone, I’ve purchased three sets of tires from Discount Tire. I’ve always loved their service and prices. However, I will never do business with them again.
“By supporting Vote No prop 205, you are supporting a racist system that negatively impacts Blacks and Hispanics. A system that makes it harder for veterans to access marijuana to treat PTSD. A system that was created based off of lies and deception. A system that costs taxpayers millions annually. All for what? A green plant that is far less dangerous than alcohol.”
Another user, Matthew Charles Clements Jr., kept it short and to the point: “Officially done getting tires from these tools.#BoycottDiscountTire #ShameOnDiscountTire,” he wrote.
Twitter users also expressed their disapproval of Discount Tire’s stance:
@silver_table We would be glad to help! You can contact our locations directly, or review tire options online https://t.co/rFRFNk7Nci
— Tire Kingdom (@tirekingdom) October 18, 2016
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@DiscountTire So disapointed Been buying from u since i was 16 Wife kids & I need tires & will take business elsewhere #boycottDiscountTire pic.twitter.com/DE9P58HYVt
— J O A Q U I N (@JoaquinSherri) October 17, 2016
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even my warranty on my very expensive tires wont stop me from going anywhere BESIDES @DiscountTire #BoycottDiscountTire #MarijuanaSavesLives
— Cass A Nova ✩☽ (@cassettya) October 18, 2016
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@discounttire Always enjoyed your service but I will will shop at @tire_rack from now on. #boycottdiscounytire
— AlexGaskey (@AlexGaskey) October 18, 2016
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Sadly, @DiscountTire hates both veterans and freedom. https://t.co/tJXbj4eDDj #BoycottDiscountTire#ShameOnDiscountTire
— Peter Cox (@Xenophore) October 18, 2016
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@DiscountTire Just lost a lifetime customer. https://t.co/NPetwuRCJX #boycottdiscounttire
— Creddy (@creddy) October 17, 2016
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This is not the first time Discount Tires has faced outrage over its political statements. In August, protesters and boycotters decried the company’s decision to support embattled Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio has been accused of targeting Latino residents, including citizens and legal immigrants. Just this week, the Department of Justice filed criminal charges against him, holding him in contempt of court for violating a previous judge’s order to halt his alleged discriminatory practices.
Still, Discount Tire is not the only company attempting to stack the deck against marijuana legalization in Arizona. Last month, it was revealed that Insys Therapeutics Inc., a pharmaceutical company, donated $100,000 to Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy. The company manufactures the deadly painkiller, fentanyl, and also worries legalized marijuana could undermine the profits of their pending synthetic cannabis drug, the Intercept reported.
“No on 205 is funded by the deadliest drug in the country,” Inman said, noting the toll pharmaceuticals have taken in Arizona. “We lose ten kids a month in Arizona from pharmaceutical overdose yet we have [this pharmaceutical company] working against a non-lethal substance.”
It’s also worth noting the nationwide opioid epidemic is also contributing to an uptick in heroin addiction.
The Phoenix New Times listed other notable contributions to Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy:
“• $100,000 from Larry Van Tuyl, a Phoenix resident whose family sold its string of car dealerships to Warren Buffett in 2014.
“• $10,000 from Bennett Dorrance, Scottsdale resident and heir to the Campbell Soup fortune.
“• $10,000 from Tucson real estate mogul Donald R. Diamond, an ally of U.S. Senator John McCain whom the New York Times in 2008 called “Arizona’s answer to Donald Trump.”
“• $10,000 from investor Foster Friess of Wyoming, a Trump supporter and, according to TheHill.com, a “Republican mega-donor.”
“Empire Southwest LLC, already a big contributor to ARDP, kicked in another $150,000 this month, and the Arizona Republican Party donated $10,285.”
Though the boycott of Discount Tire started small, outrage is growing as news of the company’s donation spreads. Discount Tire has over 900 stores in over 28 states, meaning the entire country has the potential to use their dollars to change the company’s mind.
As Safer Arizona, a marijuana advocacy group urged, “The only thing that will sway them is a big public backlash. Call Corporate (480) 606-6000, blast them on review pages and most importantly, boycott them.”
MomForce AZ is also holding pro-cannabis rallies throughout the month and into November to raise awareness about the Prop. 205 and how cannabis can help veterans, senior citizens, and others. You can view the events here.
According to a poll conducted at the end of September by OH Predictive Insights, those in favor of Prop 205 are trailing four points behind those opposed (43-47). Still, the findings indicated a surge in support of the measure from previous polls. Ten percent remain undecided.
Anti-Media has reached out to Discount Tire for comment and will update this story should they respond.
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