'Vets for Weed' Swipes Logo, Sparks Melee

The VFW is stirring up quite a bit of controversy—no, not Veterans of Foreign Wars, but Veterans for Weed. In addition to co-opting the VFW acronym, the pro-marijuana-legalization group also uses a logo that looks like the POW/MIA icon, except with the soldier smoking a joint. The real VFW has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the group, and because "VFW" is copyrighted, the tokers may have to comply with the acronym part. But it has no intention of ditching its controversial logo, Military Times reports.

"We did not alter the POW flag lightly, or because we were high. We take it very seriously," says a message on the group's website. A rep adds that the POW/MIA image is not copyrighted; the group is currently hawking hats, T-shirts, and other items with the logo. Also controversial: The group's use of terms including "stoner soldier," "semper high," and "Prisoner of Weed (POW)." The group's rep says it is attempting to draw attention to the predicaments of veterans jailed for marijuana possession, explaining, "When you are in prison because you smoked, or possessed some pot, then you are a POW, prisoner of weed." (More marijuana legalization stories.)