All right, well during Super Bowl 56,
we saw commercials for industries that we typically haven't seen
during an event like this, that includes Cryptocurrency and sports betting,
but we didn't see any ads for cannabis
despite its growing legalization across the country.
In fact, one ad from cannabis technology platform, read maps was rejected by NBC,
which ran the Super Bowl.
So joining me now is Kyle Jaeger, senior editor for marijuana moment,
a platform looking, provide up to the minute news on the politics, business,
science and culture of cannabis.
I thank you so much for coming on the show, Kyle,
Why do you think that there is still a stigma when it comes to this?
And NBC did not allow one of these ads on cannabis?
Thank you for having me.
Um, you know,
there's no doubt that people who use
marijuana continue to face stigma based on these
antiquated stereotypes really reinforced by the government
as its waged the war on drugs.
Um, but excuse me,
but where stigma has really persisted
is in mainstream advertising and social media
and as long as it remains federally prohibited,
a lot of companies are just afraid of being outwardly embracing or
even just recognizing the reality of
what's become this multibillion dollar industry.
So I guess is there anything Kyle that would have been accepted by NBC?
The Super Bowl is a huge moment. It gathers all sorts of eyes,
but is this basically kind of like the nail in the coffin
for the cannabis industry going forward when it comes to that network.
Um, I wouldn't say that, I mean I can't speak for for NBC. Um, but I think
pending a federal reform, some
of those concerns within these networks, these major networks might subside.
But when you're, when you're looking at state legalization legislation,
you often do see really strict advertising
restrictions built into place in the laws.
And so even if it does pass on the congressional level,
I still don't think the floodgates are gonna open.
But the other thing I will say is there was a pretty
momentous add that did air during the Super
Bowl yesterday featuring cannabis icon Willie nelson.
And it was produced by Skechers.
He was talking about his lifelong effort to legalize comfort and,
and the subtext was clear as day, but
that was a
very interesting moment to see.
So how did that one slip by because you mentioned their legalization of comfort.
And of course there were nods of course
to cannabis a bit kind of that he was like basically saying that in the ad, uh,
but that was deemed acceptable.
So why do you think that is?
I think, I think for for two reasons maybe one,
it was an ad for Skechers and Skechers is not a company
that is selling cannabis and or could be accused of having a
future market in cannabis.
Um,
but then also you just have to recognize there was
no explicit mention of cannabis in the first place.
So I think they just skirted it by
specifically avoiding the term.
It's also interesting and I see a lot of conversation today saying after years,
decades that the NFL basically had cracked down on cannabis,
including suspending players for positive tests,
that the league is now actually opening up to its benefits
And awarding $1 million dollars to study the effects
of it and CBD specifically on pain management.
So as the league comes around,
do you think that that does provide broader support for legalization?
Yeah, I think you're seeing it in the NFL and a bunch of major sports leagues.
Um,
there's been a lot of talks between the NFL and there there's players league
about the frustration that a lot of players feel being pumped full of,
of prescription opioids for, for their pain management when they might have this,
you know, arguably less addictive and less harmful
plant based alternative. And I think that
the, any kind of
policy change that comes out of this study or any, you know,
further further research is, is going to um
perpetuate that this trend of normalization.
Is there a timeline Kyle that you think these major networks might come around
to allowing cannabis ads and how much of it does rely on broader legalization?
Um, I think that the timelines are gonna
line up pretty consistently in terms of when federal prohibition
is lifted and when we're gonna start seeing major cannabis companies
actually be able to to advertise and just going back
to 2 2019 when a separate ad from acreage holdings,
one of the largest cannabis companies in the country,
they attempted to uh, CBS rejected an ad that they had, but again,
was not promoting the sale of cannabis was featuring
stories of people who have medically benefited from it.
But I think,
you know, if something as simple as that is, you know, not on par for for NBC,
then it's just signals to me that a federal change needs to happen before we see
expanded advertising in this space.
Alright, Kyle, we got to leave it there.
That's Kyle Jaeger, senior editor for marijuana moment.
We appreciate you taking the time.