Cynthia Nixon’s campaign to unseat two-term incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo just got a major bump from two of TV’s most-beloved stoners.
Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, co-creators and co-stars of the hit sitcom Broad City, have thrown their support behind Nixon’s insurgent campaign for governor of New York. And they’re doing it in high-profile fashion, offering an autographed bong to raise funds for Nixon’s campaign.
Broad City Creators Launch Bong Contest
Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer are holding a contest to give away a free bong. The all glass beaker bong probably would not otherwise stand out. But the fact that it sports the Broad City stars’ autographs makes it a one-of-a-kind piece.
Running from July 6 to 16, anyone with an internet connection can enter to win a bong signed by Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer from Broad City.
Those interested in participating in the contest don’t need to make a purchase or offer a contribution to Nixon’s campaign. And making a donation won’t increase anyone’s chances of winning the bong.
But raising support and funds for Nixon is definitely the contest’s point.
A progressive Democratic candidate, Nixon’s campaign is refusing to accept contributions from corporations or corporate donors. And that means small contributions from Nixon’s supporters are key to the viability of her campaign.
Broad City Bong Contest Highlights Cynthia Nixon’s Pro-Cannabis Agenda
As part of her progressive platform for New York, Cynthia Nixon has made broad legalization of cannabis a centerpiece of her politics.
Throughout her campaign, Nixon has repeatedly pointed out that the vast majority of police arrests for cannabis are black or latinx people.
This racially biased, if not outright racist enforcement needs to end, Nixon argues. “We have to stop putting people of color in jail for something that white people do with impunity,” Nixon tweeted.
Nixon has vowed that as governor she would legalize adult-use cannabis and end the criminalization of people of color in New York.
It’s an issue Jacobson and Glazer hope to highlight with their autographed bong contest. “For people who look like us,” the two wrote online, “weed has effectively been legal for a long time. It’s time to legalize it for everyone else, too.”
But the Broad City co-creators are about much more than Nixon’s pro-cannabis platform.
They also support Nixon’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, as well as her pro-worker, pro-union stances. Nixon also supports renewable energy, wants to reduce income inequality, improve healthcare access and repair the beleaguered New York subway.
As a queer woman, Nixon has also been a longtime advocate of marriage equality. If she were to win, she would make history as the first female governor and first openly gay governor in New York history.
Broad City Is Mainstreaming Cannabis Culture
Beyond their advocacy for Nixon’s campaign, the cast of Broad City has made a point of normalizing weed culture.
Nearly every episode of the show features Ilana and Abbi enjoying cannabis openly and generally without worrying about an encounter with police.
It’s a world white people often take for granted. While the reality for people of color is of course much different.
And this isn’t the first time the “Broad City” creators have put their cultural cache to work for a political candidate.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Broad City featured a cameo by Hillary Clinton. Jacobson and Glazer were also outspoken advocates for Hillary Clinton in the media.
Of course, that campaign didn’t work out for Clinton. But given the popularity of legal weed, it could be a different story for Nixon in New York.
It’s just too bad Cynthia Nixon didn’t autograph the bong, too.
Join the ladies of @broadcity and support my plan to legalize cannabis and end the criminalization of people of color in NY. Enter now for a chance to win a bong signed by Abbi & Ilana: https://t.co/ClfBSzSj9u
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) July 8, 2018