Pubdate: Wed, 05 Mar 2003
Source: National Journal (US)
Copyright: 2003 National Journal Group Inc
Contact: http://nationaljournal.com/help/feedback.htm
Website: http://nationaljournal.com/njweekly/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1172
Author: Meg Kinnard
Cited: Marijuana Policy Project ( www.mpp.org )
Cited: Office of National Drug Control Policy ( www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov )

AD QUESTIONS DRUG-TERRORISM LINK

2003 Political Ads

In a new ad campaign, the Marijuana Policy Project has launched a parody of 
the White House's recent drug policy ads.

MPP went up last week with a TV spot spoofing some of the White House 
Office of National Drug Control Policy's "Nick and Norm" ads, which feature 
two men debating the connection between drugs and terrorism.

In the MPP piece, Norm affirms Nick's acknowledgement that "maybe a little 
of the money I spend on marijuana supports terror and violence" because of 
the drug's illegality. If the drug were legalized and regulated like beer, 
Nick then postulates, "it wouldn't support violence?"

According to MPP Communications Director Bruce Mirken, "Did I Say That?," 
which was produced in-house, debuted Feb. 27 on Washington-area ABC, CBS 
and FOX stations. In a buy worth $20,000, the spot will run through the end 
of this week. The group might decide to expand the buy, although no plans 
are in place yet.

WRC, NBC's Washington affiliate, refused to run the ad, according to 
Mirken. At press time, NBC representatives could not be reached for comment.

Mirken said that MPP decided to create the ad to address the 
"disinformation" ads run by ONDCP in the past year.

Ad Spotlight has the latest commercials from the 2003 and 2004 campaigns, 
issue/advocacy groups and searchable archives dating back to 1997.

Script of "Did I Say That?" (TV)

NICK: Okay, so maybe a little of the money I spend on marijuana supports 
terror and violence.

NORM: Right.

NICK: And that's because marijuana is illegal.

NORM: Exactly.

NICK: When I buy a beer, that doesn't support terror, because beer is 
legal, right?

NORM: Now you've got it.

NICK: So what you're saying is if we make marijuana legal and regulate it 
like beer, it wouldn't support violence?

NORM: Did I say that?

(On screen: Marijuana prohibition. Harmless?; 1-877-JOIN-MPP (toll free); 
www.MarijuanaPolicy.org; Paid for by the Marijuana Policy Project)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom