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Just Say Now, the pro-pot legalization group using the web to mobilize support, have found a new home for the very same ads that were yanked by Facebook earlier this month. The ads are now running on Google.Depicting a graphic of a pot leaf in a talk bubble, the ads promoting the group's wish to open up discussion of the issue of legalizing marijuana, were deemed in violation of Facebook's policy on accepting advertising that connotes smoking, despite the ads having been run, and clicked on, for ten days in early August.
"Google’s decision to run the ads is an affirmation that the search network is mature enough to run ads that are clearly political speech," remarks Firedoglake, the blog affiliated with the Just Say Now campaign, adding:
Bruce Fein, former Associate Attorney General for President Ronald Reagan and Just Say Now advisory board member, had this to say: "Facebook’s concocted prissiness over political advocacy is more to be disparaged than imitated. Freedom of expression is made of sterner stuff. Google deserves applause for exposing Facebook to shame."
Californians will vote on legalizing marijuana in the state, via Prop 19, this November.