cannabisnews.com: Metro Accepts Marijuana Ad Banned in Boston Metro Accepts Marijuana Ad Banned in Boston Posted by FoM on January 03, 2001 at 21:11:05 PT By Lyndsey Layton, Washington Post Staff Writer Source: Washington Post Metro subway stations and buses -- law-and-order places where eating a french fry can land you in jail -- began displaying advertisements this week that suggest marijuana use should be decriminalized.The ad campaign, rejected by Boston's subway system and the subject of a pending lawsuit there, was funded by Change the Climate Inc., a nonprofit organization that believes punishment for marijuana use is too harsh. "We are business owners and parents who are increasingly concerned that the punishment far outweighs the crime," said Joseph White, 45, a partner in a Massachusetts-based telemarketing and opinion research firm who formed the group last year. "We want the politicians and thousands of people who are going to be here for inauguration month to take an interest in the issue."Change the Climate Inc. approached both Metro and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston early last year, seeking approval for its advertising. "We like transit agencies because we want to reach average Americans," White said.Metro officials initially refused the ads, citing a policy that says public service advertising must be non-commercial, nonpartisan and "not designed to influence legislation or public opinion on a controversial subject," spokesman Ray Feldmann said.But when threatened with a lawsuit backed by the American Civil Liberties Union arguing that Metro was violating free speech, officials relented. Metro is also reviewing its policy, Feldmann said.The legal challenge would have been similar to one faced by the MBTA in Boston. Massachusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci (R) has refused to settle that case, arguing that the ads promote marijuana use.Change the Climate Inc. paid Metro a discounted advertising rate for nonprofits of $2,150 in exchange for illuminated signs on 10 subway platforms, large exterior signs for 50 buses and smaller signs for the interiors of an additional 500 buses, Feldmann said.The month-long campaign consists of three ads. The first, which is in the stations -- including the one closest to the White House -- features a young woman who asks, "Why do kids go to jail for doing what politicians did when they were young? Tell us the truth."Justin Cohen, a 25-year-old lawyer from Chevy Chase, was drawn to that ad while waiting for a train at the McPherson Square station yesterday. "It's a good ad," he said. "I was even going to check out the Web site. I'm already leaning towards that point of view. We need to change the way we handle marijuana. . . . Good kids just experiment, but if they get caught, it can ruin their lives."The second ad, inside buses, shows a business executive with cancer who admits to smoking marijuana after chemotherapy. The third, which appears outside the buses, features two police officers in front of an American flag. It reads "Police are too important . . . too valuable . . . to good . . . to waste on arresting people for marijuana when real criminals are on the loose."All ads carry a disclaimer that Metro does not endorse the message.White said his group is not trying to legalize marijuana but rather reduce the penalties so it is not in the same category as heroin and other "hard" drugs. "Over 4 million people have been arrested since 1992, and most of those arrested have been young people -- our own children," said White, a father of three, who lives in Greenfield, Mass. "Most responsible parents don't want their kids smoking marijuana, but we don't want our children arrested, jailed and terrorized in the manufactured hysteria surrounding marijuana."But Howard Simon, of Partnership for a Drug Free America, called the advertising campaign "disingenuous.""Most people see this for what it is: an attempt by a vocal minority to make marijuana more socially acceptable," Simon said. "One of the ads says, 'Tell us the truth.' Well, the truth is the vast majority of Americans want marijuana to remain illegal. The truth is that medical marijuana should be decided by the medical community. That's the truth. We don't think these ads are going to be very effective."Change the Climate Inc. plans to expand its transit ads to New York and Chicago. "We think that having an ad campaign in the nation's capital will make it easier for us in other cities," White said. Related Article & Web Site:Change The Climatehttp://www.changetheclimate.orgMarijuana Ad Campaign Begins in Washingtonhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8187.shtmlCannabisNews - Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by Murple on January 04, 2001 at 23:33:51 PT Write to Metro Write to Metro and let them know they made the right decision, and that running these ads is a brave and honorable stand for freedom, and that you appreciate it! Their customer service email is csvc wmata.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by freedom fighter on January 04, 2001 at 12:34:58 PT It is time for freedom These signs are akin to what our forefathers had done in past. Boston Tea Party! It is time for change! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by JIMMYD on January 04, 2001 at 11:50:01 PT SIGNS FOR THE EARTH I personally think these signs could create a concern. For the government that is. Not only do they tell the truth but give the people a long look at our rights! Hemp and Marijuana are the least understood plants on this planet! Wheres all those tree hugging hippies that know what I'm talking about? If as many people knew that the "hideous" POTplant could save our earth we would'nt be fighting for something that's our right to begin with! Not just could we drop all those overseas idiots charging to much for oil, butwe could get rid of it and it's polluting properties all together. Not to mention becoming financially stable with all the jobs we could create legalizing it, and allowing farmers to produce a crop that actually feeds there family!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by ras james rsifwh on January 04, 2001 at 10:43:37 PT TREE OF LIFE greetings to THE ALL! LIVING I-TERNALLY IN THE CITY OF THE ALMIGHTY! Cannabis Sativa is the Sacred Tree of Life. HOW CAN "The Tree Life" BE...anything but legal and free?...yes rastaman!...right here in the ETERNAL CITY OF THE ALMIGHTY. Give all praise and thanks to JAH RASTAFARI, The Dreadful Lion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by dddd on January 04, 2001 at 06:10:56 PT donate An excellent idea Ripper,and a good investment.It's the one thing that I would ever donate money to also.This ad thing is the most powerful move that has happened in years.It will make the antis very upset and uncomfortable...............ddddP.S.I also got sorta teary eyed and fuzzy............... [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by ripper on January 04, 2001 at 05:52:57 PT Sound Good To Me I wonder if they are, or will get any backing from the three saints? 2150.00, Damn cheap if you ask me. If ever I was going to donate money to something this would be it. Break out your wallets and give them 5.00 or ten bucks. If 50,000people send 5.00 they can put up a lot of damn signs. I would love to see the signs come to Denver and the rest of the country asap. We could do more with a million than the antis could with a billion. Rally around this Boys and Girls, This is a bold and new action that can touch millions of people. Another nail for the war on drugs casket. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by MikeEEEEE on January 04, 2001 at 04:41:20 PT Besides the money This war is about information, who has the monopoly on it, and who's allowed to send a message. No-longer does the government have the monopoly on information, or the exclusive right to only send their message.These advertisements should become and will become more popular. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by sm247 on January 04, 2001 at 04:37:23 PT the real majority i have met over the last 20 years many people i always ask them how they feel about marijuana laws and i can only name a few that thought marijuana should be illegal over 90 % of the people i have spoke to are for reform.These people have ranged from co- workers schoolmates family friends neighbors strangers yes ill even ask a complete stranger how they feel. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by dddd on January 03, 2001 at 22:15:30 PT uh oh This is the biggest and best thing to happen in years.These ads are going to send the antis scrambling for damage control measures. This is a real gem; ""Most people see this for what it is: an attempt by a vocal minority to make marijuana more socially acceptable," The minority,and a very tiny one,is the anti club.I think the timing is perfect.With the czar leaving and the shrub taking over.I am anxiously awaiting the naming of the person who will get bestowed with the title of czar.They're gonna have a hard time finding a bigger asshole than barry. I predict there will be some major behind the scenes efforts to counter these ads,and disallow them.They can sure dish it out,but they cant take it.It's not going to be easy for them to make this go away.JAH is no secret.......dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 03, 2001 at 21:21:05 PT Contact Information Hi Everyone, I forgot to put the contact information in the article and it was easier for me to post it here.Peace, FoM!Source: Washington Post (DC)Author: Lyndsey Layton, Washington Post Staff WriterPublished: Thursday, January 4, 2001; Page B01Address: 1150 15th Street NorthwestWashington, DC 20071Copyright: 2000 The Washington Post CompanyContact: letterstoed washpost.comWebsite: http://www.washingtonpost.com/Feedback: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htm [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: