Pro-Marijuana Ads on D.C. Metro Criticized October 31, 2003
News Summary
Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee on drug addiction, said he is outraged over the "Legalize and Tax Marijuana" ads that appear on Metro buses and in subway stations throughout Washington, D.C., the Washington Times reported Oct. 23.Souder wrote a letter to Metro Chief Executive Officer Richard A. White criticizing the transit system for running the ads.
Souder said the ads promote marijuana use and risky sex. Two of the ads promote the legalization and taxation of marijuana with the slogans, "Save Our Taxes!" and "Protect Our Children!" The other shows a young couple in a romantic embrace with the tagline, "Enjoy Better Sex!"
"I was flabbergasted. Drug use and pregnancy are two of the strongest things that prevent young people from finishing school and becoming successful," Souder said in the letter. "And in D.C. of all places, why would you want to promote this?"
D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), chairman of Metro's Board of Directors, was also displeased with the ads.
"It's an extremely sensitive subject, but one that we have to tackle. I was very upset to see Metro posting ads about marijuana and sex. We have a responsibility to the public in advertising to be truthful," Graham said. "We will address this issue during an upcoming board meeting."
Change the Climate, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit group, is running the public service announcements on the exterior of 60 Metro buses, the interior of 150 buses and inside 10 subway stations.
Joseph White, founder and president of Change the Climate, said the ad campaign is designed to encourage discussion about drug laws.
The campaign, which began in September, is scheduled to run through the month of October.
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