Lamest Anti-Marijuana Ad Ever?

By Jeralyn, Section Crime Policy
Posted on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:04:02 PM EST
Tags: marijuana reform (all tags)

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Drug Czar Bill Walters (Office of National Drug Control Policy, aka ONDCP)is going out with a whimper.

on ONDCP’s blog, the drug czar’s office unveiled what may be their lamest anti-marijuana campaign yet. Yes, your tax dollars are actually funding this. For now.

By the way, jobs held by people who’ve acknowledged smoking marijuana include governor of California (Arnold Schwarzenegger), astronomer (Carl Sagan), mayor of New York (Michael Bloomberg), billionaire rock star/songwriter (Paul McCartney), and — well, you get the point.

Text of ad below:

Become a Burrito Taster!

Start earning now! Why waste the best days of your life going to college when you can become a burrito taster. Money, power and jet packs are some of the benefits that a certified Burrito Taster enjoys. That, and all the Burritos You Can Handle! Restaurants, motels, clubs, theme parks, and space stations are just a few of the places that need experienced Burrito Tasters. EAT THE GOOD LIFE!!!

Hey, not trying to be your mom, but there aren't many jobs out there for potheads.

Above the influence

ONDCP isn't getting the message. As NORML wrote Wednesday, Voters are rejecting the Bush Doctrine on drugs.

They’ve rejected the lies put forward by drug warriors and law enforcement, and demonstrated — overwhelmingly — that truth, compassion, and first-hand experience are more persuasive than the deception and scare tactics of those who would take away our freedoms and confine us in cages.

In short, it is the cannabis community, not the Drug Czar, that is shaping America’s marijuana policy, and tonight we go to bed knowing that millions of Americans will wake up tomorrow with a better, brighter, and more tolerant future than they had today.

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Lamest Anti-Marijuana Ad Ever? | 28 comments (28 topical)

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sigh (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by Katherine Graham Cracker on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:38:56 PM EST

I wish Obama would focus on the federal marijuana policy. It would end discrimination, save money and if legalized, produce revenue. I think it is the perfect example for a demonstration of doing things differently. No additional studies are required. I'm sure we can find something for the CAMP squads and prison guards to do besides hassle marijuana growers and tokers.

: Are you kidding? (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by gyrfalcon on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 10:58:21 PM EST

Every single Congresscritter who voted for that would be defeated in their next election, probably even in Vermont and Massachusetts.
I agree it's the rational approach, but Nah Gah Happen. I can't see Obama using up one nano-ounce of political capital on it, either.

Where do I sign up? (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Tom Hilton on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:55:07 PM EST

Hell, I would start smoking pot if I thought it would get me a paid job as a burrito taster. Who wouldn't?

: Oh Come on (none / 0) (#16)
by coigue on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 10:33:37 PM EST

start smoking pot?

Is that Tom Friedman in that ad? (5.00 / 3) (#12)
by jerry on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 07:31:35 PM EST

That looks an awful lot like the mustache of understanding. And that tie shouts "The World Is Flat and I bought this tie to remind myself of cheap Gap clothes."

: Funny (none / 0) (#14)
by Shawn on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 08:22:44 PM EST

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Geesh (none / 0) (#1)
by squeaky on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:16:47 PM EST

What a waste of lack of talent. Shouldn't these guys be doing something productive with our tax $$.

via digby:

9 out of 10 MJ Ballot Initiatives passed this election.

J for Drug Czar? (none / 0) (#2)
by oculus on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:18:20 PM EST

: J For Atty Gen (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by squeaky on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:20:16 PM EST

TChris is filling the Drug Tzar position.

By the way, jobs held by [respected] people (none / 0) (#4)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:32:27 PM EST

By the way, jobs held by [respected] people who've acknowledged smoking marijuana include...

If that's the measure we should use to decide if a law is ok or not, then let's throw out all the laws that famous/respected people have broken at one time or another.

My personal pet peeve are traffic/speeding laws, surely they've been/are broken by respected people?

I can't drive 55!

Anyway, lotsa good arguments for decrim'g pot, but I don't think this is one of them...

Except (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by Steve M on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:35:54 PM EST

it is not being offered as an argument for decriminalization, it is being offered as a response to the argument that you'll never get a good job if you smoke pot.

The rejoinder would be even stronger if they had mentioned that one guy, you know, the biggest celebrity in the world.


Tiger Woods? (none / 0) (#7)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:42:48 PM EST

Never mind, he never got high. (none / 0) (#8)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 06:46:32 PM EST

: You sure bro? (none / 0) (#26)
by kdog on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 10:30:13 AM EST

He's never had a couple beers in his whole life? Poor guy:)

Paris Hilton... (none / 0) (#15)
by coigue on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 10:32:56 PM EST

's new president-elect???


someone (i forget who) (none / 0) (#10)
by cpinva on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 07:11:19 PM EST

once said, "the worst thing about pot is that it's illegal".

i'm not foolish enough to believe that smoking something, anything, is good for you, or even benign, it isn't. however, that's not why it's illegal. smoking pot is no worse than smoking tobacco, which is still legal.

the prohibition against pot has little to do with science and public safety, and everything to do with race discrimination; it was commonly associated with blacks, an easy way to put more of them in jail, and keep them from voting. now, i suspect the lobbying power of the tobacco companies helps keep it illegal; anyone can grow pot, they needn't buy it, if they don't want to.

it should be made as legal as tobacco and alcohol.

this poster has as much basis in reality, as the posters and films warning the public of the evils of pot, in the 30's.

If I were to guess... (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by Adept Havelock on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 07:46:45 PM EST

I suspect it has more to do with the Alcohol lobby then the Tobacco lobby. After all, why would they want to compete with an intoxicant folks can easily grow themselves, without a hangover?


It;s also associated with hippies (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by coigue on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 10:34:35 PM EST

and counter culture.

That is definitely a factor


Keep in mind... (none / 0) (#11)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 07:22:09 PM EST

...that one does not have to smoke pot. Aside from vaporizors and other new technology, it can easily be eaten.

In many ways, that is a better way to dose. Or so I've been told.


Uh-huh (none / 0) (#18)
by coigue on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 10:35:32 PM EST

Or so I've been told.

Hey now! (none / 0) (#23)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 08:39:45 AM EST

Watch it or I'll be forced to call you a herbophobe or something! :)


I am exactly the opposite (none / 0) (#25)
by coigue on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 10:19:11 AM EST

of a herbophobe.

In fact (true story)I went to Humboldt State and majored in Botany.


I know... (none / 0) (#27)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 10:44:13 AM EST

...I was just channeling my inner dk on that one. Couldn't resist after the nonsense he was spouting at you (and basically everyone) the other day.


: I think he had a guilty conscience (none / 0) (#28)
by coigue on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 10:51:41 AM EST

I have forgiven and forgotten

I got (none / 0) (#21)
by cal1942 on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 11:44:17 PM EST

completely wasted on brownies once. Very relaxing though, slept like a baby.


all true. (none / 0) (#20)
by cpinva on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 11:07:11 PM EST

however, pot has been illegal since long before hippies, they had nothing to do with prompting that legislation. as for the alcohol lobby, good point, though i suspect beer sales wouldn't be adversely affected. :)

true, there are alternative ways of ingestion, but the single most common one remains smoking it.

the main reason it'll never be legalized is because too much money, in the penal system, would be at stake.

Though not an ad (none / 0) (#22)
by cal1942 on Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 11:51:21 PM EST

the opponents of MI Prop 1 claimed that medical marajuana would lead to a crime wave.

The spectre of terminally ill and others suffering from debilitating diseases knocking over convenience stores, just too much. The opposition grows progressively dumber.

Prop 1 passed overwhelmingly.

Funny... (none / 0) (#24)
by kdog on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 08:49:26 AM EST

I've been a pothead all my life, a serious pothead:), and never had a problem finding and/or keeping a job. Never ran a kid over at the driv-thru, don't live in mom's basement, and don't steal old ladies' purses either. I find the ONDCP-spread stereotypes kinda offensive actually...laughable, but offensive.

Those tyrannical pre-employment drug screens can be a little nerve-racking, but that's how GNC stays in business:) Those cleansers and masking agents ain't cheap!