Postal service warns newspaper about pot ads

The Friday memo pointed out it was illegal "to place an ad in any publication with the purpose of seeking or offering illegally to receive, buy, or distribute a Schedule I controlled substance," according to a copy sent to the editor-publisher of the Chinook Observer in Long Beach, Washington.

The memo quickly caused confusion and concern among publishers whose newspapers have published ads for dispensaries and manufacturers in the region's now two legal cannabis industries, medical and recreational marijuana.

Any newspaper with pot ads would violate a federal law preventing advertising for illicit goods, the postal service said.

If the postal service, which delivers newspapers for some subscribers, refused to deliver papers with marijuana ads in them, it could have a potential chilling effect on news outlets that are scrambling to find new revenue.

"Both the senator and congressman expect an explanation as soon as possible and are committed to working toward a resolution that reflects the decision made by their constituents at the ballot box to legalize and regulate marijuana," Hank Stern, a Wyden spokesman, said in an emailed statement.

Mark Garber, president and publisher of the Portland Tribune, a Pamplin Media Group outlet, said Tuesday the paper had already decided it wouldn't run ads promoting marijuana prior to the postal service memo.