Pubdate: Thu, 18 Sep 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: John Ingold
Page: 7A

NEW ADS PUSH SAFE POT USE

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Marijuana advocates, frustrated with what they say are ineffective 
statebacked ad campaigns to promote responsible pot use, unveiled 
their own Wednesday.

The first ad in the campaign, on a billboard atWest Eighth Avenue and 
Federal Boulevard in Denver, shows a red-haired woman sitting on a 
hotel-room bed with her face in her hands. "Don't let a candy bar 
ruin your vacation," the billboard says. "With edibles, start low and go slow."

The message is a not-atall-veiled jab at New York Times columnist 
Maureen Dowd, who had just such an edibles-induced moment while 
visiting Colorado.

Marijuana advocate Mason Tvert said the billboard treats marijuana 
consumers like people capable of making responsible decisions with 
cannabis, as long as they're educated about it. He contends 
state-sponsored ads, such as the new "Don't be a lab rat" 
youthprevention campaign, do the opposite through insults or scare tactics.

ButMark Salley, a spokesman for the state health department, said the 
department is pleased with the results of that campaign.

"It's been effective in starting a conversation about potential risks 
to youth from marijuana," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom