Weed 101: Colorado Tries Neighborly Pot Education

[420]

Denver AP - Colorado is taking a novel approach to marijuana education – not telling people to avoid the drug, just to use it safely.

State health officials announced a new $5.7 million campaign Monday. The ads are different from previous pot-education efforts because they don't demonize the drug.

Colorado's campaign last year to deter teen pot use, for instance, featured giant rat cages and was widely panned.

Dr. Larry Wolk, the state's chief medical officer, described the new campaign as "bright and neighborly."

One of the ads shows a park bench and asks people not to smoke marijuana in public. Another points out that you can't drive a car after smoking pot – but that walking, hopping and skipping are allowed.

The print ads come in bright colors, and the radio spots have a folksy announcer with none of the ominous sound effects common to older anti-drug ads.

"This is not an aversion campaign," Wolk insisted.

Colorado health officials have good reason to promote the brighter tone after their campaign last year aimed at teens.

The "Don't Be a Lab Rat" effort, which included human-sized rat cages placed in downtown Denver, were criticized as repeating "Just Say No"-type messages instead of promoting responsible, moderate use.

The rat cages became targets for graffiti and derision. At one point, a downtown Denver rat cage had a waiting line of people to snap selfies inside while toking joints in violation of a public-consumption ban.

Wolk called the rat campaign "provocative" but conceded it was time for Colorado to try a new direction.

The campaign is funded by sales taxes on recreational weed. It includes flyers to be handed out at dispensaries, with targeted campaigns coming later specific to youths, pregnant and nursing women, and Latinos.

"We need to start treating marijuana like the drug it is, not the drug some fear it to be," said Rep. Jonathan Singer, a Democrat who sponsored the legislation to tax pot and use part of the proceeds for education.

News Moderator: 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Weed 101: Colorado tries 'neighborly' pot education
Author: Kristen Wyatt
Contact: Twitter @APkristenwyatt
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[J9BLACK]

Colordo is maybe the second most educated state in the union next to Massachussets. This is a practical example. The next step is for Colorado to educate big 12 rivals like Nebraska (where the "N" stands for "Nowlige") on how cannabis is good, and their teams suck.

 

[MassMedMan]

Good approach, eye ah gree.

 

[cleanslate]

"We need to start treating cannabis like the plant it is, not the drug some fear it to be," said Rep. Jonathan Singer, a Democrat who sponsored the legislation to tax pot and use part of the proceeds for education.

Much better now.

 

[wobbler]

Spot on cleanslate.

 

[Jedthedog]

Their "Rat campaign" did not go over very well.. People are getting educated.. However it is sometimes a slow process ..

 

[Radogast]

IMO, we need to start treating cannabis like the HERBAL SUPPLEMENT it is.
Cannabis products should be sold in health food stores alongside garlic and turmeric extracts.

 

[dingusmcgee]

i think mj should have the exact same restriction and regulation that lettuce has.

 

[cleanslate]

i think mj should have the exact same restriction and regulation that lettuce has.

That was pretty much the case for thousands of years until about a hundred years ago. The plant hasn't changed much, so what did?

 

[J9BLACK]

The "dirty" tatooed mexican immigrants {after fleeing conflict in Mexico) were getting white girls high and banging them (eary 20th century). After so much prohibition with so much agony, death and wasted lives and money...there is not a single net benefit and those lucky guys are still banging the white daughters.

I'm a late comer but I am firmly in the corner that cannabis legalization is the most important civil rights issue of our time.

Many people are quietly smiling at the great loss of revenue NYC is suffering because of the work stopage.