First Television Ads Promoting Marijuana Legalization Hit Airwaves

The fight over marijuana in California is finally coming to television with a sober ad starring a former police chief who supports legalizing pot.

The Yes on 19 campaign says it has bought $200,000 worth of airtime in Los Angeles to run the ad released Monday.

The 30-second spot features former San Jose police Chief Joseph McNamara, one of several mostly retired law enforcement officials campaigning for Proposition 19.

McNamara calls banning marijuana a failure and says the measure will raise tax revenue and keep pot from children by regulating the drug like alcohol.

Opponents say the law is too poorly written to tax or regulate marijuana effectively.

The measure’s main sponsor, Richard Lee, asked supporters Monday for another $100,000 to keep the ad running through Election Day.