01/18/2018

NMA issues advisory on marijuana advertising

Legal medical marijuana looms in Ohio. Meanwhile, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has signaled a crackdown on federal marijuana laws. How does this affect the potential for advertisers to market marijuana availability in Ohio?

Unfortunately, the situation is murky at best. The News Media Alliance has updated its summary of the legal challenges a newspaper may face for accepting pot advertising, particularly for any newspaper using the mail. You can find it at this link.  Sessions’ recent memo on marijuana prosecution can be found by clicking here.

The bottom line is that you should proceed with caution before accepting any marijuana-related advertising, and it is a good idea to consult with legal counsel before taking that possible risk. Please keep the ONMA informed if you are in such a situation, and we also can help in your review.