Double-Standard Alert: CBS Denies Pot Ad

by Matt Kelley · 2010-02-12 09:45:00 UTC
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According to CBS, anti-abortion advertising is okay for the Super Bowl, but the network can't stomach an ad for the legalization of marijuana?

Last weekend, CBS ran into controversy for running a Super Bowl ad on behalf of the anti-abortion group Focus on the Family, which featured Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Now, it turns out that CBS has just denied an ad advocating legal pot, created by NORML, for an outdoor video screen in Times Square.

Seriously, what about this ad was too hot to handle? The NORML ad was about as straightforward as it gets, calling for legalization of marijuana because it would generate billions in tax revenue (you can watch it after the jump). Still, though, CBS said no.

In the past, CBS has rejected ads from a variety of progressive organizations, including MoveOn and the United Church of Christ. Its explanation was that it didn’t accept “advocacy” ads at all. Now, though, in response to the controversy over the Focus on the Family ad, the company claims it's changed its policy and will now accept “responsibly produced” advocacy ads.

So why is it rejecting NORML? Take action here -- write to CBS executives urging them to accept the NORML video.

By drawing an arbitrary line between advocacy ads, and taking political sides, CBS has made a huge gaffe. (Although I gotta admit, that Super Bowl ad was all inference and certainly didn't say much). As for the question of what's "responsibly produced," whatever line CBS is drawing will certainly be a hard one to walk if they decide to draw it with NORML. The need for drug law reform is finding its way into the public debate, whether CBS likes it or not. This decision is likely to backfire on the company, especially so soon after the Super Bowl controversy. Speak up -- our voices can show CBS that their hypocrisy won't be ignored.

Watch the NORML video below, and take action here.

Photo Credit: Francisco Diez

Matt Kelley is the Online Communications Manager at the Innocence Project and a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow him on Twitter @mattjkelley.
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