Legalized pot advocates launch $1 million campaign with non-using mom

BY Josh Kerns  on August 6, 2012 @ 10:47 am (Updated: 12:36 pm - 8/6/12 )

Supporters of the initiative to legalize marijuana in Washington are launching a $1 million TV blitz this week. In a somewhat unique twist, the ad features a non-pot smoking mom touting the measure.

"The reality is, the overwhelming majority of Washington citizens believe that treating marijuana use as a crime is not working. But at the same time they don't necessarily want to smoke marijuana themselves. They just want the laws to work better," says Alison Holcomb, campaign director with New Approach Washington, the organization behind Initiative 502.

"We feel that it's very important to reassure people that when we're talking about changing our marijuana laws, that's very different from talking about promoting marijuana use."

In the ad, a woman identified as a Washington mom says, "I don't like it personally, but it's time for a conversation about legalizing marijuana."

The woman goes on to raise questions about the benefits of legalization, including increased tax revenues for schools and health care.

The 30-second spot will run on TV news outlets across Western Washington for the next three weeks. Holcomb says the goal is to get as much attention as possible before the fall election season heats up.

"This is going to be such a busy campaign season and we really wanted to make sure we had a chance to engage voters in thinking about this issue well before the media market just becomes saturated with all of the ads that will be running for other campaigns."

Holcomb hopes the ads will convince voters the people behind the campaign are taking a thoughtful, careful approach to the issue and aren't a "free the weed, let's all get high" group.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (30)


  • Add A Comment

  • Newton wrote...
    Where do I sign.
    August 6, 2012 12:06 pm
    I agree lets make it legal. About time this state starts acting like adults. People on marjiuana are are not violent. If you ask me it turns them into happy gentle humans. I say lets make this happen as soon as possible. I want to help get Washington on the map with hemp fuel. Lots of money to be made by the State if they would stop thinking like a child and start thinking of the good it could bring/revenue to this state. Lets get this thing done.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    I agree, legalize it and regulate the crap out of for-profit growers
    August 6, 2012 12:39 pm
    There are already many common scams in play.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Burn_Notice wrote...
    Okay .. ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING
    August 6, 2012 12:49 pm
    It would still be illegal under Federal Law. The Feds can and will, as they did in California, raid dispensories and growing operations. I am not saying legalizing it on the state level would necessarily be a bad thing, but don't let your reefer flag fly free while the G-Man is playing under a different set of rules.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Why? Becuase she is a pot head.
    August 6, 2012 1:15 pm
    Pot heads do society good when they are reading books behind bars. They drag society down with their laziness and the drag society down with their voting preferences: Democrat/liberal.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • diverphil wrote...
    @shark75wrote
    August 6, 2012 6:39 pm
    Such a closed minded stereotypical way of thinking. I have a degree in Sports Medicine with a minor in Kinesiology. I have never missed a day of work in 11 years. Guess what. KISS MY ARSE!!! Laziness?, Lazines?.. I do more by 5:00am then you do in a week.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    Thats the reason the left wing radicals support it.
    August 6, 2012 1:28 pm
    It's easier to control some one bombed on bud. They're to stupid to make a rational decision on their own. Keep em high, keep em votin for the "D"s.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Obama is OWNED by the Pharma Co's
    August 6, 2012 2:01 pm
    They will never allow weed to be legal. There's WAY TOO MUCH MONEY at stake. He turned his back on all the so-called "Legal" Dispensaries in California...See Liberals, Obama can't be trusted by ANYONE! He cares more about his big $$$ Donors than he does about keeping his word. He's a friggin LIAR & a HYPOCRITE!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    Not just D's
    August 6, 2012 2:17 pm
    A lot of socially conservative folks and Libertarians like me want it legalized.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Heyduke wrote...
    Why Legalize? For the Kids!
    August 6, 2012 2:41 pm
    My kid is 14 and has already smoked it. I don't pot is so bad, but a 14 year old brain is not ready for it. Way to young. He may at 14 the rest of his life. He needs to wait a few years. Anyway. If pot were legal sold and taxed in a store for peolpe 21 and above like alcohol, my son would have a had time getting pot. Know it's hard to get alcohol and easy to get pot. Make it hard for the kids to get and legalize it!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Amorget wrote...
    If nothing else
    August 6, 2012 2:39 pm
    This sets up a big legal show down of State vs Federal rights.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • O-town listener wrote...
    Not just D's
    August 6, 2012 2:55 pm

    Agree with DesertRez - I'm not a D but I'm ok with this. Have known plenty of pot smokers that aren't lazy, that are working full time, that aren't a drag on society, and that aren't D's. This isn't just a teen thing anymore - plenty of adults in high stress jobs / career fields are using to relax - Insurance agents, lawyers, accountants, etc.

    And HLC - I like how you call pot smokers too stupid to make a rational decision while your decisions are obviously based on uninformed stereotypes.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • lukaszkb wrote...
    to
    August 6, 2012 3:14 pm
    I like how HLC feels pot smokers are "to" stupid to make rational decisions. I smoke and at least I know when to say "to" and "too".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    Against legalization
    August 6, 2012 3:41 pm
    Legalizing a drug makes it more socially acceptable. Our country is already in too much of a mess to have more unmotivated potheads.

    One thing I do agree with, though, is that marijuana should be tested for in DUI and auto accident cases.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    I'm sure this the problem with Republicans . . . .
    August 6, 2012 3:58 pm
    they can't handle marijuana. Look at who they pick as leaders. Try to defend that point. Make sure your high when you do.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    CH Dude
    August 6, 2012 7:28 pm
    Obama has already sold you out on the legalizing weed issue. Sorry , but it ain't gonna happen on the Federal level. Holder already sent out SWAT teams To shut down dispensaries in Cali...your hero Barry sold ll of you out.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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