 Various episodes of the show have generated controversy . In " 420 " ( season seven , 2009 ) Brian decides to start a campaign to legalize cannabis in Quahog ; the Venezuelan government reacted negatively to the episode and banned Family Guy from airing on their local networks , which generally syndicate American programming . Venezuelan justice minister Tareck El <unk> , citing the promotion of the use of cannabis , stated that any cable stations that did not stop airing the series would be fined ; the government showed a clip which featured Brian and Stewie singing the praises of marijuana as a demonstration of how the United States supports cannabis use . In " Extra Large Medium " ( season eight , 2010 ) a character named Ellen ( who has Down syndrome ) states that her mother is the former Governor of Alaska , which strongly implies that her mother is Sarah Palin , the only woman to have served in the office of governor in the state . Sarah Palin , the mother of a special @-@ needs child , criticized the episode in an appearance on The O 'Reilly Factor , calling those who made the show " cruel , cold @-@ hearted people . " 
