FARGO (KFGO) – Medical marijuana may be legal in North Dakota, Minnesota and several other states, but advertising the product on radio and television is still considered off limits.
“It’s just too risky” according to Jack McDonald of Bismarck, an attorney who represents the North Dakota Broadcasters Association. “The problem arises because marijuana is still illegal under federal law.”
“Broadcasters who are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission probably should not be doing any marijuana advertising because to do so would or could put their licenses in jeopardy with the federal government” McDonald said.
New York-based Acreage Holdings recently opened “The Botanist” in Fargo, the state’s first medical cannabis dispensary. Chief Marketing Officer Harris Damashek says it’s tough to compete with pharmaceutical companies, which are allowed to advertise their products on radio and TV.
“It’s challenging and it’s like marketing with one hand tied behind your back” according to Damashek. “But it also forces you to be really targeted and creative.”
Damashek says Acreage Holdings will use alternatives to promote its products until broadcast advertising is allowed. “There are certain ways we can still get our message out there. We do a fair amount of online and social, although there are limitations there as well. Facebook, Instagram and Google won’t accept cannabis advertising at this moment in time.”
Damashek says he believes it’s only a matter of time before the medical cannabis industry is allowed to advertise on the airwaves.
“The best thing that we can do for marketing is to educate as many people as possible about what medical cannabis can do, what it won’t do to communities that people fear will happen and how it can improve the quality of life for a great number of people.”