Dear Just Say Now activist,
Facebook is censoring our marijuana reform ads in the run-up to the 2012 election.
Last week, we tried to launch ads for Don't Forget Marijuana
— our new push to make sure marijuana reform isn't neglected this
election cycle. The ads featured President Obama, Mitt Romney and images
of marijuana leafs alongside a message encouraging people to join the
campaign.
Facebook rejected the ads on the ridiculous grounds that the simple act of showing a marijuana leaf promotes drug use.
This is familiar territory. In 2010, Facebook allowed our
pro-legalization ads to run 38 million times before changing their mind
and banning them.1Once again they are denying us the
ability to identify and communicate with our supporters, but this time
during perhaps the most important election season in our movement's
recent history.
Here are some stats to chew on in light of Facebook's continued censorship of marijuana reform:
- More than 1.3 million people like Just Say Now on Facebook,2
- 50% of Americans support ending prohibition,3
- Three states have legalization initiatives on the ballot this fall4 and many more states and municipalities have varying marijuana reform initiatives as well.5
Marijuana reform is not a fringe issue, and banning the use of marijuana imagery in political speech is like denying a candidate the use of their face in a campaign.
Just Say Now has and always will focus exclusively on reforming our
nation's drug laws, and in an era of overwhelming support for ending the
drug war, the assertion that our efforts are somehow encouraging
others to use marijuana is evidence of how narrow-minded and out-dated
Facebook's policy has become.
Sign our petition protesting Facebook's censorship of ads for our "Don't Forget Marijuana" campaign.
Thank you for your continued support. With your help we'll continue to make sure this issue receives the attention it deserves.
In Solidarity,
Brian Sonenstein
Campaign Director,
JustSayNow.com
Campaign Director,
JustSayNow.com
Sources:
1. Facebook Censors Marijuana – Help Us Fight Back, Michael Whitney, FDL Action, 8/24/2010.
2. Just Say Now Facebook Page, 8/6/2012
3. Half in U.S. support legalizing marijuana use, poll finds, Reuters, 10/18/2011.
4. Marijuana Initiative By State, JustSayNow.com, 8/6/2012.
5. Marijuana on the Ballot, Ballotpedia, 8/7/2012.
2. Just Say Now Facebook Page, 8/6/2012
3. Half in U.S. support legalizing marijuana use, poll finds, Reuters, 10/18/2011.
4. Marijuana Initiative By State, JustSayNow.com, 8/6/2012.
5. Marijuana on the Ballot, Ballotpedia, 8/7/2012.
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Nancy Hinchliff
Writer to the Stars
Saturn Smith
Deven McKay
Con Chapman
Zumi
Salon.com
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