NORML Launches First Ever Nationwide Television Ad Campaign
"Legalization ? Yes We Can!
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Washington, DC: On Monday, April 20th, NORML launched the first nationwide television ad campaign calling for the regulation of cannabis for adults.

The one-minute advertisement, entitled "Legalization: Yes We Can," calls on the President and Congress to repeal the federal prohibition of marijuana. It states: "You can tax it. You can regulate it; apply age restrictions. You can create millions of new jobs. ... President Obama, it's time for legalization. Yes we can!

An online 'rough cut' of the advertisement is available for viewing at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0mEDE_w1xo.

NORML purchased over 7,500 ad buys on over 200 national cable providers. The advertisement will appear on various cable networks in all 50 states, including CNN, CNBC, Fox News, Fuse, FX Networks, G4, MSNBC, CNN Headline News, and Spike TV.

NORML's ad was produced by New Jersey independent filmmaker Jason Druss. Druss submitted the public service announcement as part of NORML's 2009 online ad contest. Druss' entry was selected by the public as the contest's grand-prize winner, besting over 80 other finalists.

"NORML's national advertising campaign epitomizes the growing public support for marijuana law reform, NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said. "This is a grassroots, organic campaign. NORML's ad was produced by and voted on by the public. Even more importantly, all of the money raised to sponsor this national ad buy was donated to NORML by the general public. These ads are on television because thousands of Americans are demanding an end to the criminal prohibition of marijuana.

By contrast, St. Pierre said that the US Congress and the White House Office of Drug Control Policy typically spend close to $100 million annually to produce and air advertisements stigmatizing the use of cannabis and its effects.

"Americans are voting with their wallets to repeal the government's ongoing war on weed, St. Pierre said. "They are willing to donate their hard earned dollars to produce advertisements that run contrary to the federal government's misleading, multimillion dollar public service campaign.

Three recent nationwide polls ? one by CBS News, one by Zogby, and one by Rasmussen Reports ? have each reported that the public's support for legally regulating cannabis is at an all-time high. Most recently, a California field poll sponsored by Oaksterdam University in Oakland found that 58 percent of state voters back regulating marijuana for adults in a manner similar to alcohol.

For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Deputy Director, at: (202) 483-5500.