http://blog.norml.org/2009/04/19/first-ever-nationwide-pro-marijuana-tv-ad-campaign-is-launched-in-conjunction-with-420/
First-Ever Nationwide Pro-Marijuana TV Ad Campaign Is Launched in Conjunction with ‘4/20′
Boulder, Colorado:
I have every reason to believe that ‘4/20′ in 2009 will be the biggest
and most momentous one to date as NORML launches 7,770 nationwide TV
ads that advocate for cannabis law reform; NORML expects record numbers
of supporters to join the organization for the celebratory one-day price of $4.20
because, I believe, there is a palpable zeitgeist in America right now
favoring reform; the Obama administration appears amenable to some
cannabis law reforms in ways that no prior president since Jimmy Carter
has embraced; and lastly, with NORML’s nearly 600,000 ‘friends’ on
Facebook and nearly 67,000 MySpace, more Americans than ever before who
are keen on cannabis can create a viral effect that benefits reform.
Here in Boulder between 10,000-15,000 students and activists are
expected to celebrate in what has become the biggest 4/20 event in the
world.
Heck, the New York Times has already posted a profile of 4/20 for today’s paper, where they came yesterday for interview and photos to the University of Colorado at Boulder’s National Marijuana Forum.
This portends well to what will be an insane day in the media for
pro-reform groups like NORML (I’ve already got 35 interviews
scheduled…) as I was also asked to pen an essay for National Public
Radio’s All Things Considered that I assume will be published today. (UPDATE! Read and comment on Allen’s essay here.)
I dare say we as a country are finally ‘getting it’ regarding the clear and obvious need to reform our misguided cannabis laws.
Thanks to the hundreds of NORML supporters who donated what they
could to buy ad time to launch a timely 4/20 ad campaign, you’re the
green that keeps NORML all grassroots, all of the time!
Have an enjoyable and safe 4/20 from the staff of NORML!
Legalization: Yes We Can – Jason Druss
[UPDATE: Yes, the part at the end where the young
lady giggles has been edited out for the airing on TV. I will work to
find a copy to place on our site. — Russ Belville, National Outreach
Coordinator]
Marijuana Advocacy Group Launches TV Campaign on ‘4/20’
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Foundation (NORML Foundation) a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy
organization, established in 1997, is purchasing advertising time on
selective cable outlets to underscore the urgency of decriminalizing
cannabis.
The NORML Foundation launched this pro-marijuana ad campaign to
create further political pressure on the federal government to
recognize 1) the ever-increasing support of Americans who favor
cannabis legalization, 2) the clear sea change of cannabis laws that’s
been happening at the state level since Californians voted in favor of
medicinal access to cannabis in 1996, and 3) to rally cannabis
consumers and anti-prohibitionists on April 20, a date on the calendar
that has organically become a national day to both publicly celebrate
cannabis as well as protest 70 years of prohibition.
The featured ad is the winner of NORML’s recent
user-generated-content contest that asks NORML supporters: ‘What would
you say to President Obama about legalizing marijuana?’
New Jersey college student and up and coming filmmaker Jason Druss
created the winning submission and is the recipient of the contest’s
$3,500 cash grand prize after 6500 votes were cast on NORML’s webpage.
“It’s time for President Obama to endorse cannabis law reform where it
is legally controlled and taxed like alcohol and tobacco products,”
stated Jason Druss. “It’s shocking that students can lose out from
federal student loans for possessing a few joints, when pot’s been part
of the college culture for decades.’
Marijuana, By the Numbers…
Thirteen states (with a population base of 115 million Americans) have
decriminalized cannabis possession; thirteen states (with a population
base of 75 million Americans) now have medical cannabis laws.
Additionally, more states than ever before are debating cannabis law
reform, including California and Massachusetts where legalization
legislation have been introduced.
Since 1965, over 20 million Americans have been arrested on
cannabis-related charges—90% for possession-only; over 900,000 cannabis
arrests are expected again this year.
According to numerous survey and polls, approximately 75% of
Americans support medical access to cannabis; 73% favor decriminalizing
cannabis possession for adults and 42% of Americans support legalizing
cannabis.
7,700 NORML Foundation ads are appearing on cable outlets nationwide
(with a strong media buy in Ohio) on CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, Fuse,
FX Networks, G4, MSNBC, CNN’s Headline News and Spike TV.
Vastaa