California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein made a claim that legalizing weed in the Golden State would allow prime time T.V. commercials for marijuana, which has been rated “mostly false” by an internet-based fact checking website.
Feinstein, who in July claimed the legalization of pot in California, under a bill known as “Prop 64”, would allow “marijuana smoking ads in prime time, on programs with millions of children and teenage viewers,” had that claim rated “mostly false” by Politifact on Friday.
“Feinstein’s claim, as she stated it, is misleading,” Politifact writes. “The federal Controlled Substances Act bans TV stations from advertising illegal substances, including marijuana.”
“If Prop 64 passes, nothing will change in terms of what radio and television stations can legally broadcast,” president of the California Broadcasters Association Joe Berry told Politifact. “The federal government’s position is that marijuana is an illegal substance. So, it’s illegal to advertise that substance.”
Feinstein made the claim, which the “No On 64” campaign — which seeks to stop Californian’s from legalizing marijuana in November — picked up on and attached to a July press release.
The reason for the “mostly false” rating, and not a “pants on fire,” — Politifact’s highest rating for a misstatement — was due to the language of Prop 64. It says “Any advertising or marketing placed in broadcast, cable, radio, print and digital communications shall only be displayed where at least 71.6 percent of the audience is reasonably expected to be 21 years of age or older.”
Something Wayne Johnson, spokesman for No On 64, said was a “ridiculous standard” that would only apply to a very small number of television shows.
“If Feinstein had said Prop 64 helps pave the way for marijuana ads on TV, that might have been accurate,” Politifact continued.
The Yes On 64 campaign filed a lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court Thursday over claims that No On 64 is peddling “obvious falsehoods.”
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