The Drug Enforcement Administration is partnering with a prominent anti-marijuana organization to promote a student video contest tied to April 20, asking high schoolers to produce public service announcements warning their peers about the dangers of cannabis use.
The contest, organized by the group Johnny’s Ambassadors and promoted by DEA education initiatives, invites students to submit short videos explaining why marijuana and other THC products are harmful to adolescents. Organizers say the goal is to discourage youth cannabis use by highlighting risks to brain development, mental health and long-term life outcomes.
According to contest materials, participating schools are encouraged to show how students are “working to prevent cannabis misuse” and to promote abstinence among their classmates. The guidelines are highly restrictive: videos may not depict or imitate marijuana use or paraphernalia in any form, even humorously, and any suggestion of THC possession or consumption is explicitly prohibited. Swearing and defamatory language are also barred.
Submissions are intended to be educational and peer-focused, addressing why young people should avoid THC products such as vapes, edibles, dabs and gummies. Organizers say personal stories about individuals negatively affected by cannabis use are welcome, as are videos debunking myths about marijuana or presenting statistics meant to underscore its risks. Sample topics include the effects of THC on athletic performance and academic achievement.
The contest opened late last month and will close on April 13. Winners will be announced on Instagram on April 20—widely known as a cannabis celebration day, but rebranded by Johnny’s Ambassadors as “Anti-420 Day.” First place carries a $500 prize, followed by $250 for second place and $100 for third.
DEA is promoting the effort through its Just Think Twice and Get Smart About Drugs campaigns. The agency backed a similar “Anti-420 Day” initiative last year, which also solicited warning videos from students.
The contest comes as the DEA continues to draw attention for its unconventional youth-focused drug messaging. In recent years, the agency has circulated materials suggesting teens seek “natural highs” like playing video games or becoming social media influencers, and has published guides interpreting emojis it claims are associated with drug sales.
The timing also coincides with uncertainty around the agency’s broader marijuana policy role. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President Donald Trump’s initial pick for attorney general in his second term, recently said he has been told the DEA is drafting a rule to complete the process of rescheduling cannabis under federal law. However, a Justice Department spokesperson said last week that there is currently no update on that effort.
Read the whole article from Marijuanamoment here.
