In stagnant news economy, medical marijuana ads a rare growth area

California Watch
Federal prosecutors are turning their attention to newspapers, radio stations and other media that carry ads for medical marijuana businesses in California, reports Michael Montgomery. It’s illegal to place ads for illegal drugs in publications, although there’s an exception for ads that advocate drug use but don’t explicitly offer them for sale. “It’s clear that alternative newspapers throughout the state have benefited from the increased business, even as other advertising sources have dwindled,” Montgomery writes. The Sacramento News & Review published a special section with a directory of about 100 medical marijuana dispensaries and similar businesses. “Marijuana dispensary ads, which can cost $2,000 for a full page, allowed the News & Review to hire additional reporters.” || Earlier: Sacramento Bee begins running medical marijuana ads