cannabisnews.com: Drug Group Launches $50,000 Ad Campaign Drug Group Launches $50,000 Ad Campaign Posted by FoM on January 23, 2001 at 21:06:25 PT By Chaka Ferguson, The Associated Press Source: Albuquerque Tribune A national group advocating the reform of marijuana laws has launched a $50,000 ad campaign in New Mexico supporting legislative measures that would decriminalize and allow for medical uses of the drug. The Washington-based National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, began airing radio ads last week in support of the drug law changes. NORML also took out a half page newspaper ad. "The purpose of our running these ads is we wanted to make sure there is healthy debate on the issue," said NORML executive director Keith Stroup, who was in Santa Fe Monday to lobby lawmakers. Gov. Gary Johnson wants to legalize the use of marijuana as medicine for people suffering from certain illnesses, such as cancer. The governor also proposes to decriminalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, treating it like a traffic violation that would be subject to a civil fine but no arrest, jail time or criminal record. Stroup said Johnson's stance on drug reform was a major reason why his nonprofit organization targeted New Mexico. "We gave it the highest priority because you have a sitting Republican governor who has been an incredibly strong supporter and obviously that helps create a political climate where it makes sense for us to put some resources into it," he said. In the 60-second radio spot, the narrator says, "76 million Americans share a secret. Sometime in their lives, they've smoked marijuana. Almost every one of them is an otherwise law-abiding citizen. . . . Maybe you're one of them." The radio spots will run for two more weeks, but no more newspaper ads are planned until the issue moves further along in the Legislature, Stroup said. Nine states already have medical marijuana laws, and at least a dozen states are considering similar measures this year, Stroup said. "We're hoping New Mexico will set a positive example some of these other states would be encouraged to follow," he said. The organization planned a press briefing in the governor's office at 1 p.m. today, with Dr. John P. Morgan, a professor at the City University of New York and author of "Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts," as a resource speaker. Stroup was scheduled to be there to answer questions. Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)Author: Chaka Ferguson, The Associated PressPublished: January 23, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Albuquerque TribuneAddress: P.O. Drawer T, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109Contact: letters abqtrib.comWebsite: http://www.abqtrib.com/Contact Information for Governor Johnson: E-mail: gov gov.state.nm.usWeb: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/Related Articles & Web Sites:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Marijuana The Forbidden Medicinehttp://www.rxmarihuana.com/Radio Spots Seek To Ease Drug Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8417.shtmlJohnson Bill Would Legalize Small Amounts of Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8218.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Governor Gary Johnsonhttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=gary+johnson Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by QuietCrusader on January 24, 2001 at 10:38:40 PT: I am hearing spots for freakys.com on the radio... I cheered when I heard it. We are finally breaking the Code of Silence! Freakys Internet Smoke Shop [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Dan B on January 24, 2001 at 02:26:35 PT: About Donnie R. Marshall Here are the two articles on DrugSense that mention Donnie R. Marshall. Sounds like another gung-ho drug warrior.http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n107/a06.htmlhttp://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n068/a07.htmlDan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Stripey on January 23, 2001 at 21:51:03 PT Go, and make the ignorant see the light. Make the anti's understand.It's time to end the war. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 23, 2001 at 21:18:16 PT: News Brief DEA's Marshall Being Held -- in OfficeSource: Washington Post (DC) Published: January 24, 2001Address: 1150 15th Street NorthwestWashington, DC 20071Copyright: 2001 The Washington Post Company Contact: letterstoed washpost.comWebsite: http://www.washingtonpost.com/The White House has asked former Texas drug agent Donnie R. Marshall to continue as administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration "for the foreseeable future," agency officials said.Marshall, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton last year after serving as acting administrator, is a Texan and former DEA agent in Dallas and Austin.Deputy administrator Julio Mercado, the only other political appointee at DEA, has left for a job in the private sector.Donnie R. Marshall http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/agency/administrator.htm [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: