Capital Commerce

Do California Ads Promote Marijuana Use?

By Matthew Bandyk

Posted: July 9, 2009

The pro-marijuana-decriminalization group the Marijuana Policy Project is making big waves in California's debate over whether to legalize, tax, and regulate pot in order to raise revenue. Many national media sources are reporting on an ad the MPP is airing on California TV that argues the state is ignoring millions of willing taxpayers--marijuana smokers.

Well, the ads are intended to be aired on TV--the LA Times reports that several major local stations are refusing to air them. They were also rejected by an NBC affiliate in the San Francisco area, and ABC affiliates in LA and San Francisco.

Why? According to the San Francisco Chronicle politics blog, the stations fear that the ads appear to "promote drug use."

I think that argument is a bit strange, because if you think about it, taxed and regulated marijuana could actually be harder to obtain than pot in the status quo--especially for underage people. Have you heard of any drug dealers who ask their customers for ID?

Watch the ad and decide for yourself.

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Rvynoqnb of MN @ Nov 16, 2009 06:01:54 AM

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Captagum of MN @ Nov 16, 2009 06:01:47 AM

Lesser evil

Honestly I think a large majority of the prohibitists would rather see teachers, policemen, firefighters laid off and parks closed than allow adults to consume marijuana legally in the privacy of their own homes. People are growing and smoking it right now probally not more than a few hundred feet from you. Only difference is they pay street value without tax.

Lets look at a regulated smoked substance like tobacco. Thru education and heavy taxes ususage has dropped a lot. Then take a look at an unregulated smoked substance like marijuana where we use propaganda and the law to stem ususage yet it continues to increase.

Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out people.

If for some odd ball reason things don't work out... guess what we can always go back to prohibition.

Tax it of WA @ Jul 11, 2009 02:24:14 AM

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Capital Commerce

Capital Commerce

U.S. News business reporter Matthew Bandyk examines the issues, people, and debates that shape the nexus of political and economic life in the nation's capital.

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