Robert Watson has been the center of controversy for his words, now a Rhode Island lawmaker's alleged actions are causing problems in East Haven.
Police stopped Watson, a Republican state representative from the wealthy town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island at a police checkpoint in East Haven on Friday and there was a "strong odor of marijuana" coming from Watson's car, East Haven Sgt. Gary DePalma said.
A lawmaker who is arrested on drug charges is one thing. But Watson has been the focus of criticism recently over comments he made earlier this year about immigrants, drugs and homosexuality.
In February Watson made a controversial statement during a meeting with business leaders: "I guess that if you are a Guatemalan gay man who likes to gamble and smoke marijuana, you probably think we are onto some good ideas here."
Needless to say, members of the community have taken umbrage with those remarks.
The Guatemalan American Alliance of Rhode Island joined with the Immigrants in Action demanding an apology for his comments. Watson refused, telling a Rhode Island radio station his comments were made with levity and came out of frustration over the fact that Rhodes Island is in a state of fiscal ruin.
Watson, the House Minority Leader in Rhode Island, issued a statement acknowledging that police discovered "trace evidence" of marijuana but said he wasn't driving under the influence.
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Police said his eyes were glossy and bloodshot. When asked if he had been drinking, he said he had a drink or two at his friend's house but was fine to drive, according to the report.
Watson, who police said smelled of alcohol and marijuana, agreed to a sobriety test and told police he was an attorney and does sobriety tests on his friends while out at bars.
Watson has been released on a promise to appear in court.faces charges of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence after
