ARIZONA NEWS

Montgomery reconciles with veteran over comment at marijuana debate

Apr 10, 2015, 6:00 AM | Updated: 6:00 am

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery met with Vietnam veteran Don Ream Wednesday to reconcile a dispute they had last month during a debate hosted by Tempe Republican Women.

During the March 23 debate, Ream told Montgomery he was offended by Montgomery’s use of the word “pothead” to describe marijuana users. He said Montgomery was “deceived” and that he “felt sorry” for the County Attorney.

Ream went on to say that he needs medical Marijuana to ease his chronic back pain. When he said “I’m a recreational user too,” Montgomery lashed out.
“Well, then you’re violating the law, and I have no respect for you.

“I have no respect for you as someone that would try to claim you served this country and took an oath to uphold the Constitution and defend it against all enemies foreign and domestic, because you’re an enemy,” he added.

“It was a horrible thing to say,” Ream said Thursday. “It still has hurt when I think back on it.”

Montgomery explained Thursday that marijuana use wasn’t the reason that he called Ream and enemy. It was the fact that he is a fellow military veteran who told everyone he breaks the law. Montgomery would have said the same thing regardless of what law he thought that Ream was breaking.

“If someone attempts to utilize their veteran status to encourage people to commit a felony, whether it’s drug use, fraud, forgery, tax evasion, or what have you, I would take the same position,” Montgomery said. “A veteran should not brag about breaking the law and encourage other people to break the law.”

But, now, looking back on the incident, Montgomery realizes something. “(Breaking the law) is not how he (Ream) was viewing it, and that’s not what he was trying to communicate,” he said.

Montgomery came to that realization after the two men decided to sit down and settle their differences Wednesday. The meeting happened at the offices of Mark Victor, the attorney with whom Montgomery was debating during last month’s event.

During the meeting, Ream explained to Montgomery how he views his marijuana use.

“If you have a cocktail in the evening, to me, that is a recreational activity,” Ream said. “I choose not to have a cocktail. I choose Cannabis instead. Marijuana. To many, that would be recreation. In my mind, it is, somewhat, but that is still my medication.”

Montgomery told Ream that the law doesn’t see it that way. It differentiates between medical marijuana for medicinal purposes, which is legal, and recreational use of marijuana, which is illegal.

But Montgomery said that while the two men disagree, “that disagreement doesn’t make him (Ream) the enemy of anybody else.”

Ream said the two men made amends.

“He apologized,” said Ream. “I accept his apology. I don’t believe in vengeance or whatever.”

Montgomery said that Ream also apologized to him.

“If anybody took what he said as encouraging unlawful conduct, that was not what he was trying to communicate,” said Montgomery. “I think it was a mutual misunderstanding of what the other was trying to say.”

When asked if apologies were accepted on both sides, Montgomery said “sure.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

A border wall constructed of shipping containers and topped with concertina wire, built on federal ...

Brandon Gray

Shipping container border wall cases involving federal government and Arizona dismissed

Two cases between Arizona and Federal officials involving shipping containers at the U.S.-Mexico border were voluntarily dismissed, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday.

8 hours ago

FILE - John Holman, of Denver, Colo., right, and others with the group "No Labels" take part in a r...

Associated Press

A third party signed up 15,000 voters in Arizona. Democrats worry that’s enough for a Biden spoiler

More than 15,000 people in Arizona have registered to join a new political party floating a possible bipartisan “unity ticket” against Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

9 hours ago

Maricopa County is seeking sanctions against Kari Lake and her attorneys over the Republican’s la...

Associated Press

At Kari Lake’s 3rd trial related to Arizona election, county makes case to protect ballot signatures

An election official and lobbyists were among the witnesses brought by Maricopa County attorneys on the first day of a trial Thursday in another lawsuit filed by Kari Lake, the defeated Republican in last year's Arizona governor's race, to deny her request to see signed ballot envelopes of 1.3 million early voters.

11 hours ago

AP Photo/Matt Rourke)...

Associated Press

President Joe Biden to deliver speech in Arizona next week, pay tribute to John McCain

President Joe Biden will travel to Arizona next week to deliver a democracy-focused address that will also pay tribute to the late John McCain.

11 hours ago

(Facebook Photo/Homeless ID Project)...

KTAR.com

Homeless ID project helps nearly 800 people in downtown Phoenix during first month

Nearly 800 state IDs were issued during the first month of the Homeless ID Project in downtown Phoenix.

12 hours ago

people standing at mather point...

SuElen Rivera

Grand Canyon National Park to stay open if federal government shuts down, Arizona Gov. Hobbs says

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said the state is prepared to keep Grand Canyon National Park open regardless of a government shutdown. 

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

...

re:vitalize

When most diets fail, re:vitalize makes a difference that shows

Staying healthy and losing weight are things many people in Arizona are conscious of, especially during the summer.

...

Mayo Clinic

Game on! Expert sports physicals focused on you

With tryouts quickly approaching, now is the time for parents to schedule physicals for their student-athlete. The Arizona Interscholastic Association requires that all student-athletes must have a physical exam completed before participating in team practices or competition.

Montgomery reconciles with veteran over comment at marijuana debate