Cannabis Law Group's Medical Marijuana Legal Blog
California marijuana legalization supporters to air television ads in Los Angeles
Proposition 19, California’s marijuana legalization effort, will run television ads in the Los Angeles area in the closing days of the campaign, the L.A. Times reported.
As our Los Angeles medical marijuana defense attorneys reported recently on our Marijuana Lawyer Blog, political pundits placed part of the blame on a recent 10-point deficit in the polls on the fact that Proposition 19 supporters have lacked the funds to mount an aggressive statewide television campaign.
Beginning Tuesday, and running through the final week to election day, the commercials will air featuring retired San Jose Police Chief Joseph D. McNamara endorsing the initiative.
It is the first campaign supporters of the initiative have put on television. A spokesman said the campaign will spend $170,000 to run the commercials on cable television through election day.
He said he hopes the modest buy of television time can be expanded into other markets though the donations of supporters.
The spot will feature McNamara wearing a suit and tie and speaking directly to the camera. He will say his 35 years in law enforcement have convinced him that the war on marijuana has failed.
“Today, it’s easier for a teenager to buy pot than beer,” he says. “Proposition 19 will tax and control marijuana just like alcohol. It will generate billions of dollars for local communities, allow police to focus on violent crimes and put drug cartels out of business.”
Meanwhile, the California Chamber of Commerce is spending $250,000 in radio ads aimed at beating the initiative. The chamber vaguely claims the proposition would hurt California’s economy and make it tougher to create jobs.
The legalization initiative is supported by the National Black Police Association and 48 current and retired law enforcement veterans.
The CANNABIS LAW GROUP is a law firm dedicated to the rights of medical marijuana patients, collectives and growers and has built a reputation for high-powered, aggressive legal representation of the medical marijuana industry in Southern California. Call 949-375-4734 for a confidential consultation to discuss your rights.