For the 420, the DEA promotes an «anti-420» campaign»

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is promoting a video contest for young people to participate in «Anti-420 Day,» an Instagram campaign organized by youth cannabis prevention group Johnny's Ambassadors.

«Be an Instagram influencer for Anti-420 Day,» says the message. «Johnny's Ambassadors is recruiting teens and young adults (high school and college students) to create original videos about the harms of THC use among youth as part of Anti-420 Day.

The idea is to 'flood» Instagram with short videos in which students would explain »why young people shouldn't use THC«.

Students could receive an Amazon gift card of 25$ for a personal video, 35$ for a group video and 50$ for a «professionally produced educational video or skit supervised by an adult sponsor».

«Your video should either be an educational video about THC prevention among youth, explaining why young people shouldn't use THC products (vapes, dabs, weed, edibles, gummies), or a personal story about how you've been affected by THC use (yourself, a friend, family member or loved one),» said the organization.

She also provided examples of potential messages, including explanations of «why THC impacts a team's athletic performance» and the destruction of a «commonly held but erroneous myth about THC».

«Tell a personal story about how you've been affected by THC use» or perform a «skit or play to explain to other teens why using THC-containing products is bad for you,» reads the description of Johnny's Ambassadors, founded by the parents of a child who committed suicide after consuming cannabis concentrates.

Content is subject to certain restrictions, including a ban on «swearing» in videos. It is also forbidden to present, imitate or promote the possession or consumption of a THC-based product.

«It is also forbidden to imitate THC/MARIJUANA consumption or to use parapharnalia of any kind, even as a joke.»

Meanwhile, the DEA was, until recently, leading efforts to hold a hearing on moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of federal law, a plan put in place under the Biden administration.

But the hearing has been cancelled by DEA Administrative Judge John Mulrooney following complaints about inappropriate communications between DEA officials and anti-retirement supporters, and Judge Mulrooney has since stated that it would be up to the next DEA administrator to reschedule the hearing.

President Trump's nominee to head the DEA is Terry Cole, a 22-year veteran of the agency who is currently Virginia's Secretary of Public Safety.