The American population has grown accustom to being subliminally assaulted by outdoor advertisements as a persuasive means to get civil society to buy into everything from booze to fast food -- not to mention the brainwash tactics commonly branded across park benches and other city property for the sole purpose of teaching children to just say “no” to drugs.
However, a pro-pot organization in Portland, Maine -- which is fighting for voter support at the polls next month -- has taken it upon itself to shift the proverbial gears of the traditional anti-message seen in many cities across the nation by launching a controversial new bus and shelter ad campaign advocating for the use of marijuana over alcohol.
One ad reads, “It’s less harmful to my body.” Another states, “It doesn’t make me rowdy or reckless.”
This new movement aims to strip away the stereotypes often associated with pot use by utilizing well-dressed, clean-cut adult models to spread the message that marijuana does not contribute to factors like disorderly behavior and hangovers unlike booze. The goal is to attract additional support for a referendum, scheduled to be voted on November 5, aimed at legalizing small quantities of marijuana for those people ages 21 and older.
However, the opposition, like members of the substance abuse coalition 21 Reasons, says that they cannot believe the METRO board has agreed to run a drug campaign on the same busses responsible for transporting Portland youth to school.
METRO board of director’s president Bonny Rodden says that she was personally unaware of the content expressed in the approved ads, and although she is uncertain if a second look at the nature of message will have any bearing, there is a possibility she may ask the board to reconsider their decision.
The Marijuana Policy Project is responsible for financing the advertising campaign in support of Portland’s referendum. The agency has made Maine one of the top 10 states it wants to help legalize marijuana before 2016.
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