CVS Won't Sell Controversial Rolling Stone Issue

By Matthew Sanderson

If you're looking to get your latest Rolling Stone issue this Friday, you won't be able to find it at CVS.

The pharmacy chain issued the following on its Facebook page Wednesday as online and social media trended in reaction to the publication's release of its latest issue:

CVS/pharmacy has decided not to sell the current issue of Rolling Stone featuring a cover photo of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect. As a company with deep roots in New England and a strong presence in Boston, we believe this is the right decision out of respect for the victims of the attack and their loved ones.

A representative from the company's public relations department told Patch Wednesday the statement applies to all CVS locations, including those in Southern California.

In a spot typically reserved for iconic rock stars, Tsarnaev's face appears on the new issue, due on newsstands Friday.

The feature has sparked outrage across social media. A Facebook Page "Boycott Rolling Stone Magazine for their latest cover" had a rapidly growing 36,000 followers on Wednesday morning.

The Rolling Stone's article is headlined: "The Bomber: How a Popular, Promising Student Was Failed by His Family, Fell into Radical Islam, and Became a Monster."

Later Wednesday, competing pharmacy chain Walgreens announced the same move with the upcoming magazine issue via Twitter.

What are your thoughts on these moves by local retailers that sell Rolling Stone?