Newspaper ads supporting a Colorado ballot initiative to legalize marijuana (Referendum 44) uses images of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney to bolster claims that pot is a less dangerous drug than alcohol, the Associated Press reported Nov. 4.

One ad featured a photo of Bush along with text reading, "In 1972, this man tried to fight his dad when he was drunk. Just one more reason to vote Yes on 44." Another shows Cheney with the caption, "Shot his friend in the face after drinking. Just one more reason to vote 'Yes on 44.'"

White House spokesperson Tony Snow called the ads "snarky and juvenile," adding, "I'm not sure they did their cause much good."

The ads were timed to coincide with visits to Colorado by the two leaders. "They were both in town today and we are simply taking this opportunity to draw attention to the fact that alcohol contributes to far more problems than marijuana," said Mason Tvert, director of SAFER Colorado, which sponsored the ads.