Results: Daily Debate: Is the "Buddie" marijuana mascot a shameless ploy or a good attention grabber?

Pro-marijuana group ResponsibleOhio introduced its new caped green superhero mascot "Buddie" and has sparked debate over its impact on children. "Buddie" is a fuzzy, ever-smiling pot bud in a bulging white muscle suit with green trunks, gloves and boots. He arrives in a truck painted with marijuana leaves declaring: "Yes on legalization."

Children's health advocates opposed to legalization said Buddie is reminiscent of Joe Camel, the cartoon dromedary proven so effective at marketing cigarettes to teenagers in the 1990s that R.J. Reynolds was forced to retire his image. They said the pot mascot makes light of a dangerous illegal drug in a manner appealing to kids.

ResponsibleOhio Executive Director Ian James says the mascot is not marketing to children but asking for votes exclusively to people 18 and older and has no connection with anybody under 18. He believes this mascot is a way to catch young people's attention in a positive way to educate them on the legalization of marijuana.