Advertising laws for Cannabis in Canada

Welcome to Cannabis Advertising 101, Here at weedpages we’re going to take the long and extensive list of rules and regulations for dispensaries in the industry, and give you a quick reference page!
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Federal Restrictions

These regulation were sourced from: The Cannabis Act C24.5

Subject to the regulations, this Subdivision does not apply:

  • To a literary, dramatic, musical, cinematographic, scientific, educational or artistic work, production or performance that uses or depicts cannabis, a cannabis accessory or a service related to cannabis, or a brand element of any of those things, whatever the mode or form of its expression, if no consideration is given, directly or indirectly, for that use or depiction in the work, production or performance.
  • To a report, commentary or opinion in respect of cannabis, a cannabis accessory or a service related to cannabis or a brand element of any of those things, if no consideration is given, directly or indirectly, for the reference to the cannabis, cannabis accessory, service or brand element in that report, commentary or opinion.
  • To a promotion, by a person that is authorized to produce, sell or distribute cannabis, that is directed at any person that is authorized to produce, sell or distribute cannabis, but not, either directly or indirectly, at consumers.
  • To a promotion, by a person that sells or distributes cannabis accessories or that provides a service related to cannabis, that is directed at any person that sells or distributes cannabis accessories, at any person that is authorized to produce, sell or distribute cannabis, but not, either directly or indirectly, at consumers.

Cannabis Advertising Restrictions

Unless authorized under this Act, it is prohibited to promote cannabis or a cannabis accessory or any service related to cannabis, including:

  • by communicating information about its price or distribution.
  • by doing so in a manner that there are reasonable grounds to believe could be appealing to young persons.
  • by means of a testimonial or endorsement, however displayed or communicated.
  • by means of the depiction of a person, character or animal, whether real or fictional.
  • by presenting it or any of its brand elements in a manner that associates it or the brand element with, or invokes a positive or negative emotion about or image of, a way of life such as one that includes glamour, recreation, excitement, vitality, risk or daring.
  • It is prohibited to promote a cannabis accessory in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or that is likely to create a false impression about its design, construction, performance, intended use, characteristics, value, composition, merit, safety, health effects or health risks.
  • It is prohibited to promote cannabis in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or that is likely to create a false impression about its characteristics, value, quantity, composition, strength, concentration, potency, purity, quality, merit, safety, health effects or health risks.

Exceptions

Informational Promotions

Cannabis

Subject to the regulations, a person that is authorized to produce, sell or distribute cannabis may promote cannabis by means of informational promotion or brand-preference promotion if the promotion is:

  • In a communication that is addressed and sent to an individual who is 18 years of age or older and is identified by name.
  • In a place where young persons are not permitted by law.
  • Communicated by means of a telecommunication, where the person responsible for the content of the promotion has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the promotion cannot be accessed by a young person.
  • in a prescribed place or done in a prescribed manner.
Cannabis Accessories and Services

Subject to the regulations, a person may promote a cannabis accessory or a service related to cannabis by means of informational promotion or brand-preference promotion if the promotion is:

  • in a communication that is addressed and sent to an individual who is 18 years of age or older and is identified by name;
  • in a place where young persons are not permitted by law;
  • communicated by means of a telecommunication, where the person responsible for the content of the promotion has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the promotion cannot be accessed by a young person
  • in a prescribed place or done in a prescribed manner.

Point Of Sale

Cannabis

Subject to the regulations, a person that is authorized to sell cannabis may promote it at the point of sale if the promotion indicates only its availability, its price or its availability and price.

Cannabis Accessories and Services

Subject to the regulations, a person that sells a cannabis accessory or provides a service related to cannabis may promote it at the point of sale if the promotion indicates only its availability, its price or its availability and price.

Brand Elements on Other Things

Subject to the regulations, a person may promote cannabis, a cannabis accessory or a service related to cannabis by displaying a brand element of cannabis, of a cannabis accessory or of a service related to cannabis on a thing that is not cannabis or a cannabis accessory, other than:

  • A thing that is associated with young persons
  • A thing that there are reasonable grounds to believe could be appealing to young persons
  • A thing that is associated with a way of life such as one that includes glamour, recreation, excitement, vitality, risk or daring.

Can I Advertise My Dispensary On Facebook, Instagram & Google?

Unfortunately, the advertising guidelines for cannabis related products, including CBD oil, are still in place at Facebook Instagram & Google.

There are other ways to market and promote your dispensary that we’ve outlined in the following resources. If you’re looking for effective ways to promote your dispensary, Check out these Resources:

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