I love coffee so very much. Not just for its caffeine benefits, which are a necessity as a work from home mom with a baby and a puppy, but because it’s a staple of my morning routine.
So, my always thoughtful Dad got me a great Christmas present, this mug:
I love it.
Little did I know this mug’s likeness was targeted by the Attorney Generals in 22 states back in 2013.
At the time, an almost identical version was sold by retailer Urban Outfitters, who then received a nastygram lecturing them on the “national health crisis related to the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs.”
The letter, as posted by The Volokh Conspiracy:
State Attorneys GeneralA Communication from the Chief Legal Officers of the Following States and Territories:Arizona * Arkansas * California * Colorado * Florida * Guam * Hawaii * Illinois * Iowa * Kentucky * Maine * Maryland * Massachusetts * Michigan * Mississippi * Montana * New Mexico * Ohio * Oregon * Pennsylvania * Tennessee * Utah * WyomingMay 22, 2013Urban Outfitters, Inc.Attn: Richard A. Hayne; CEO & Chairman …Dear Mr. Hayne,On behalf of the undersigned Attorneys General, we request that Urban Outfitters immediately cease sales of your “Prescription Line” of glasses, coasters, mugs, drink holders and related products that mimic prescription pill bottles and prescription pads.As you may be aware, there is a national health crisis related to the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs. As Attorneys General, we have prosecuted and engaged in outreach to stop this epidemic. We are actively engaged in a campaign of environmental change to educate the public that abuse of prescription drugs is not safe simply because the medication originated from a doctor. By putting these highly recognizable labels on your products you are undermining our efforts. These products demean the thousands of deaths that occur each month in the United States from accidental overdoses.These products are not in any way fun or humorous but make light of this rampant problem. We invite you to pull these products from your shelves and join with us to fight prescription drug abuse.Very respectfully yours,[Names]
Urban Outfitters caved and thanks to the free market, four years later I’m sitting here, sipping coffee from my new favorite, and once illicit mug.
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