Pubdate: Tue, 08 Sep 2015
Source: Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.morningjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3569
Author: Julie Carr Smyth, Associated Press

CAPED SUPERHERO IS PUSHING MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IN OHIO

COLUMBUS (AP) - A caped green superhero stumping for marijuana 
legalization votes at college campuses and bars in Ohio has sparked 
debate over its impact on children.

"Buddie" is a fuzzy, eversmiling pot bud in a bulging white muscle 
suit with green trunks, gloves and boots. He arrives in a truck 
painted with marijuana leaves declaring: "Yes on legalization."

Children's health advocates opposed to legalization said Buddie is 
reminiscent of Joe Camel, the cartoon dromedary proven so effective 
at marketing cigarettes to teenagers in the 1990s that R.J. Reynolds 
was forced to retire his image. They said the pot mascot makes light 
of a dangerous illegal drug in a manner appealing to kids.

"We didn't believe it when we saw the photos. We were pretty 
shocked," said Nick Lashutka, president of the Ohio Children's 
Hospitals Association that's involved in fighting the legalization 
effort. "This is nothing less than a ploy to market to children."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom