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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Cheech & Chong image not right for lobby fight, marijuana group says Lydia Wheeler The Hill Tuesday 31 Mar 2015 In an email to Tommy Chong’s representative and supporter obtained by The Hill, Aaron Smith, Co-founder and Executive Director of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) said the group “is here to break "stoner" stereotypes rather than reinforce them and Tommy's character (very brilliantly) embodies that stereotype." As a result, NCIA has decided not sign the actor and marijuana activist as the groups’ celebrity advocate for it’s legislative push known as Lobby Days scheduled for the end of April. “We decided that a celebrity presence would ultimately distract from the overall mission, which is for members of Congress and their staffs to meet some of the thousands of small business owners who make up the legal cannabis industry,” NCIA Spokeswoman Taylor West said in an email Tuesday. “When a celebrity joins in, even with the best of intentions, it unfortunately pulls the attention away from the broader membership and our message that these are everyday businesspeople who deserve to be treated fairly.” West went on to say that NCIA has the “utmost respect” for Chong’s long history as a marijuana advocate. “Ultimately, our goal with Lobby Days is to shine a light on our overall membership, whose work to build a responsible industry often doesn’t get the attention it deserves, and give them a chance to have their stories heard on Capitol Hill,” she said. Peter O’Neil, CEO of the C & C Cannabis Co. in Seattle, said the company has pulled its membership from NCIA over the decision to drop Chong. O’Neil said he thinks Smith sold the D.C. media and elected officials short. “They understand that Tommy is an entertainer who has also been an advocate for cannabis for over 30+ years,” he said. “If his presence gets more folks to start the conversation about making cannabis legal at the federal level, creating a new green industry that creates jobs and tax dollars then that is great.” http://thehill.com/regulation/237501-cheech-chong-image-not-right-for-lobby-fight-marijuana-group-says
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