David K. Israel
9 Medical Marijuana Ads
by David K. Israel - March 15, 2010 - 9:22 AM

Unless you live in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont or Washington, you probably aren’t getting a lot of medical marijuana ads in your local newspapers. (Did I leave any states off the list?) Because the ads are so ubiquitous, and so interesting, I thought a small roundup was in order for our friends living in all the other states, or in other countries where medical marijuana is illegal.

Of course, long before cannabis was legalized in these 14 states, it was used widely throughout ancient Greece, Egypt, India, and China to treat various illnesses and conditions. But it wasn’t until an Irish physician called William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, Assistant-Surgeon and Professor of Chemistry at the Medical College of Calcutta, conducted an experiment in the 1830s to help treat muscle spasms, that marijuana was introduced to the so-called modern world of medicine.

Perhaps he’s the reason why all the following ads have a green tint, then? ;-)

[N.B. mentalfloss does not condone nor condemn the use of medical marijuana. This post is about the language used in the ads.]

1. 20 of the best strains in town… and 2 crappy ones!

Picture 2

2. In this ad we learn that they’re looking for “donations” not purchases. Plus, if you act now!
Picture 5

3. Get Legal Today!
Picture 3

4. This one has WEED in the phone number
Picture 4

5. There’s so much to study in this one, it’s ridiculous. Let’s start with the name: Westwood “Organic”
Picture 10

6. “Call for directions” – Gee, if you need directions on smoking marijuana you think they could give you a demo in the store, no?
Picture 9

7. Attorney Protection Program? ‘Nuf said.
Picture 8

8. The winking smiley face here just cracks me up!
Picture 7

9. Non SELF INCRIMINATING medical forms!
Picture 6

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Comments (34)

  1. Awesome. I think it’s time for a wake ‘n bake

    posted by Cara on 3-15-2010 at 9:51 am

  2. [N.B. mentalfloss does not condone the use of medical marijuana. This post is about the language used in the ads.]

    Why not?

    posted by Bryan on 3-15-2010 at 10:21 am

  3. Sooo…..Jealous….!!!!

    posted by Nick on 3-15-2010 at 11:17 am

  4. What’s an edible?

    posted by Michelle on 3-15-2010 at 11:32 am

  5. Re: Michelle’s question – I’m GUESSING it’s something like a brownie with the marijuana baked in? Anyone know for sure?

    posted by Anon on 3-15-2010 at 11:41 am

  6. michelle: an ‘edible’ is a food item made with pot. (like the infamous brownie, for example) you can make almost any sort of baked good & lots of other things too

    posted by sammylee on 3-15-2010 at 11:44 am

  7. An edible is a tasty treat that has been infused with marijuana so that you get the high without the smoke.

    posted by Heather on 3-15-2010 at 11:50 am

  8. Colorado also has radio commercials for dispensaries. It’s kind of a culture shock for me to experience both the newspaper and radio ads, and the openness and acceptance of it’s use, having lived my whole life in the Southeast.

    posted by Joel on 3-15-2010 at 11:55 am

  9. Gotta love Google’s “revolutionary indoor garden” product ad that appeared at the bottom of this post.

    posted by Calumny on 3-15-2010 at 12:08 pm

  10. great post but i was hoping for adds from other states too, not just CA. Any luck on VT or RI? VT is known for growing excellent marijuana so i would be interested to see what their adds may entail

    posted by izzi on 3-15-2010 at 1:45 pm

  11. They also use THC oil to make edibles. This way, you aren’t ingesting the leaves and there’s none of that “marijuana” flavor to it. It’s like cake or cookies or fudge or lollipops or bread – with a kick. This makes it easier for older people battling cancer and chronic pain to ingest and an option for those who choose to remain non-smokers but desire the effects that THC provides.

    And my guess is that the green tint of the adverts have nothing to do with some Irish doctor but everything to do with the fact that marijuana is green! And most REALLY good marijuana is grown organically and it’s an organism, so there’s no reason that having a dispensary with the word organic in the name is all that odd.

    And, yes, non self-incriminating forms are something you might want to be concerned with considering marijuana legalization is states’ law while federal law still classifies it as a Schedule I controlled substance and not legal for possession.

    Overall, I found this article to be ridiculous, uninformative and condescending. Sadly, that seems to be par for the course with David K. “Look at me and the people I know and the sponsors I get for my quiz” Israel as of late.

    recaptcha: the cleaner

    posted by n on 3-15-2010 at 3:49 pm

  12. Is there an age limit for the use of Medical Mirijuana? If there is, why?

    posted by graham on 3-15-2010 at 4:43 pm

  13. I hadn’t hit the “refresh button” since I opened this page over an hour ago, so I didnt have the opportunity to read N’s post…what an ass!

    I did not find this to be condescending at all, why would you N?

    posted by graham on 3-15-2010 at 4:50 pm

  14. N, you really need to lighten up. Maybe take a toke or two of that green stuff you know so much about and are so fond of.

    posted by Admiral Byrd on 3-15-2010 at 5:06 pm

  15. Not that it’s a big deal, but on #6 I took that to mean “call for directions to our store”.

    posted by Kelly on 3-15-2010 at 5:31 pm

  16. Hey, when did Mental Floss get a coupon section?

    posted by J on 3-15-2010 at 6:00 pm

  17. You see, Admiral, I was making a comment on the content of the article along with what occurs to be a developing pattern with said blogger. If you prefer that I wait for you to post poorly structured sentences in the comments section and criticize them in lieu of making a useful statement in regard to the actual content – I can do that for you.

    Graham, I find it condescending because the “jokes” are based upon unresearched idiocy that perpetuates a negative stereotype of both the business and the clientele that frequent dispensaries. Had this been done in a more informative manner, I wouldn’t have found it so offensive. Thank you for actually commenting on the article before calling me an ass, though.

    posted by n on 3-15-2010 at 6:34 pm

  18. N, I don’t think it’s very condescending at all. I live in California, and most of the ads I see are regular ads – the only way you can tell they are for medicinal marijuana is usually the huge pot leaf in the background (though they’re not always present.)

    A lot of these are just poor ads, or barely hiding the fact that it’s just a legal way for anyone who wants it to score some weed. I mean, come on, a winking doctor smiley face? Guarantees that they can get you a prescription or your money back?

    Yes, the “call for directions” joke isn’t funny as they’re refering to how to get to their location, and yes an attorney may be required, but some of the slogans are amusing. What’s also amusing is the fact that there are just so many MM dispensories in LA that they have to offer coupons to try to get your business.

    posted by Leah on 3-15-2010 at 6:52 pm

  19. A friend of mine was quoted in the Denver Post business section about a medical marijuana clinic moving in next to their business. He said “It will be something new for our neighborhood for sure…we will just have to roll with it.”

    posted by Alan on 3-15-2010 at 7:28 pm

  20. Oh god, that last ad on the bottom with the doctor. It looks like they just photoshopped her from a medical-themed porn spread. I don’t remember any legitimate doctors looking at me like they wanted to nibble on me.

    posted by Vastad on 3-15-2010 at 7:33 pm

  21. I am from Michigan and my local paper runs a medical marijuana ad every week. It is so wonderful to witness the mainstreaming of marijuana into our society. I have used marijuana for over 40 years and I never thought that I would live to see the day that mj is either decriminalized or legalized. As a regular user I really don’t care if it ever becomes legal. It is amusing to watch the gyrations and knee jerks the politicians are going through as they continue to enforce the prohibition of cannabis even as it becomes legal all around them. The Federal Government is a laughing stock as they recite the same old lies and arguments against marijuana as state after state moves to legalize it. Talk about head in the sand syndrome! In any case, mj seems to be on the fast tract to acceptance in america and maybe someday I’ll get to smoke a big legal one. Whatever….

    posted by denbee on 3-15-2010 at 8:00 pm

  22. Take all the money currently being used to prosecute users now. Not to mention all the money currently being spent to house and feed and guard the small time dealers and users of cannabis. Legalise it ‘officially’ and cut all of that profit away from the big dealers, and tax it for the government to make even more money, for things like better salaries for teachers.

    posted by old hippy chick on 3-15-2010 at 10:45 pm

  23. You sound like the SNL character, Nicholas Fehn or a square from the 1960′s laughing at Rock and Roll. You might be a little out of touch with a lot of your readers.

    posted by oldtimer on 3-17-2010 at 6:09 am

  24. Wahh, i want my state to have legal weeeeeeed!!!! Boo hoo. :’[

    posted by Moo on 3-22-2010 at 1:24 pm

  25. Around here, the head shops sell edibles:
    It’s a pipe made out of candy that you can eat when you’re done with it.

    It tastes every bit as nasty as you would expect.

    posted by Chris on 3-22-2010 at 1:26 pm

  26. I’m proud to say that I’m from N.J. We are the 14th state to allow Medical Marijuana. It’s been a battle for quite awhile, but the change did come through for Medical Marijuana. I’ve been a member of the MPP (Medical Marijuana Project)for many years. The time spent on efforts to vote this bill into law, has been well worth it. Haven’t seen any ads locally yet, but I’m hoping soon. As an RN,I’m relieved to see it happened in my lifetime.

    posted by CRonaldson on 3-22-2010 at 4:44 pm

  27. Good news! California may legalize pot to save $200 mil! Talk about win-win!

    When California voters head to the polls in November, they will decide whether the state will make history again — this time by legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults.

    posted by Valerie on 3-25-2010 at 3:21 pm

  28. I’m from AZ and they recently passed a law allowing for the taxation of marijuana. I guess we have these ads to look forward to in the Arizona Republic soon

    posted by Cathy on 3-31-2010 at 11:21 pm

  29. Laws That Affect Medical Marijuana Use
    Although in many parts of the country all use of marijuana is illegal, in Sacramento and other parts of California it is legal to use marijuana for medical reasons. This means that if you have a painful medical condition such as AIDS, or a condition that requires painful treatments, such as cancer, you can legally use marijuana to get relief from the associated pain and nausea. Of course, you will need to go through the proper channels to make sure that you are within the scope of the law. Following the proper guidelines ensures that you will be able to use marijuana medically in Sacramento without having to worry about getting into trouble with the police.
    In 1996, Californians voted to pass Proposition 215. This proposition is also known as The Compassionate Use Act. It allows people to use, cultivate, and transport marijuana for medical uses. It also exempts people who do so and doctors who prescribe medical marijuana from any legal repercussions related to their actions. This is relevant because the federal government still considers marijuana use to be a crime. There have been several cases where the US government chose to prosecute individuals using medical marijuana in Sacramento (mostly growers of marijuana) who believed that they were acting within the scope of the Compassionate Use Act. If you choose to grow marijuana for medical purposes you will want to be aware that the federal government may choose to pursue you even though the state laws in Sacramento and other parts of California are on your side.
    Following the passage of Proposition 215, marijuana dispensaries started springing up around Sacramento. In order to clarify some questions that came up, the California Senate passed Bill 420. This bill paved the way for a registration program for individuals who wanted to use marijuana for medical purposes. People who want to get a Medical Marijuana ID card (MMID) need to have a note from a doctor saying that their condition would benefit from the use of marijuana. Once a person has that he or she will need to go to the Sacramento County Office of Vital Statistics to pick up an application. The application asks about medical history and whether the applicant believes that marijuana use will help their medical condition. In addition to the doctor’s notes, applicants are required to provide proof of residency, a photo identification, their doctor’s name and contact information, and a non-refundable application fee of $166. Applications can only be turned in with a prior appointment. Appointments are scheduled on Wednesdays or Fridays, and applicants can call 916-875-0994 to schedule one.
    Since the passage of Proposition 215 and Senate Bill 420, the use of medical marijuana in Sacramento has become much more commonplace. There are websites dedicated to maintaining a directory of doctors who are willing to write letters of recommendation, and of dispensaries where those possessing an MMID can purchase marijuana for medical use. Overall, surveys show that many citizens of Sacramento favor medical marijuana use so long as there are programs in place to keep people from abusing the system. For those who use medical marijuana for pain relief, these laws have enabled them to find their product in Sacramento without fear of legal repercussions.
    Click below for more information.
    sunnyfieldsgrow.org

    posted by Chikitita03 on 4-4-2010 at 8:41 am

  30. that’s awesome! and yes..edibles are great!

    posted by we on 4-12-2010 at 5:15 pm

  31. In number 6, I believe the “call for directions” means calls for directions to the store….not directions on how to smoke….lol…who’s the stoner now?

    posted by WildIrish on 6-23-2010 at 6:37 am

  32. A cop calls 911 after eating pot brownies. Click on the link to check out the hilarious video.
    http://tinyurl.com/3k692hh

    posted by Jordan on 4-20-2011 at 7:40 pm

  33. Just a heads up, but Hawaii in fact does have PLENTY of medical Marijuana Ads. You’ll most likely see one nailed up on a tree in the more jungly hippie part (Pahoa/Kapoho) of the Big Island (Hawaii). Take one humorous example: ” Call Dr. Weed for medical marijuana permits!”
    We also had a Cannibis church at one time (that was closed down).
    So, there’s one state to cross of your “states without marijuana ads” list. =)

    posted by Malia on 8-26-2011 at 11:07 pm

  34. Opps, you ARE saying there are medical marijuana ads in Hawaii….. sorry. Still a funny ad though: haha Dr. Weed.

    posted by Malia on 8-26-2011 at 11:10 pm

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