Washington, DC: The CBS Television Network released a prepared statement yesterday in response to charges by NORML that the network’s decision to air public service announcements by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) violates their policy against airing advertisements “on controversial issues of public importance.”
NORML launched an e-mail campaign last week demanding CBS pull the taxpayer-sponsored anti-pot ads from Sunday’s Super Bowl broadcast, stating: “Marijuana decriminalization currently enjoys 72% support among the American public, according to the latest CNN/Time polling data. Clearly this is a ‘controversial issue of public importance’ that divides American public opinion, and any public service announcement on the subject that promotes only one side of this issue must be considered an issue ad.” To date, more than 4,500 e-mails have been sent to CBS through NORML’s website urging the network to drop the federal anti-drug ads.
In response to NORML’s campaign and increasing public criticism, CBS issued a press release yesterday stating: “Suggestions have also been made that we are violating our own policy by allowing the airing of messages that aim to curb drug abuse and smoking by minors. CBS is unaware of responsible groups that advocate drug abuse and smoking by minors, so it is hard to understand how these laudable efforts would constitute ‘controversial issues.'”
Responding to CBS’s statement, NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre reiterated, “The ONDCP’s ads are inherently controversial and political. CBS should either pull these ads or change their policy.”
St. Pierre also noted that that CBS accepts tens of millions of advertising dollars from the alcohol industry. “Beer remains one of the most widely abused drugs in the United States, yet CBS thinks nothing of airing advertisements encouraging audiences to consume alcohol.”
Lastly, St. Pierre said that NORML does not advocate the use of marijuana or any other drug. “NORML and other drug law reform organizations discourage drug abuse while at the same time educating the public and lobbying elected officials about the failure of marijuana prohibition as a public policy. If CBS believes otherwise, then they are confused.”
For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul Armentano of the NORML Foundation at (202) 483-5500. Information on NORML’s e-mail campaign to CBS is available online at:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=4749626&type=ML