LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
If you're a Facebook user, you surely have noticed the targeted ads that appear on the sidebar of the site's pages. One of those ads that ran earlier this month was from Just Say Now, a group that is using the internet to grow support for the movement to legalize marijuana, explains the Huffington Post.
Running between August 7th and 16th, the ads drew "38 million impressions and help[ed] the group's fan page grow to over 6,000 members." Then they were taken down.
Facebook claims the ads were removed because of the graphic that was used: a pot leaf. A spokesman said in an email to Just Say Now: "The image of a pot leaf is classified with all smoking products and therefore is not acceptable under our policies."
Of course, from a grassroots group focused on mobilization using the internet, Just Say Now isn't taking Facebook's decision silently.
After our ads with the Just Say Now logo of marijuana leaf ran more than 38 million times, Facebook flip-flopped and banned all images of marijuana from its ads. Sign our petition to Facebook to protest this censorship:
Marijuana legalization is a critical issue facing our country. Clear majorities in states across the country support legalizing marijuana.
By censoring marijuana leaves, Facebook is banning political speech. This is unfair, and unacceptable.
Facebook should reverse its decision and allow the free discussion of US drug policy that the country is ready for.