Cannabis Advertising State Regulations

Advertisements regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol shall:

1. Comply with the provisions of this subtitle, Board regulations, Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 and regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and federal laws and regulations;

2. Accurately and legibly identify the person responsible for its content;

3. Include the following statement: "For use by adults 21 years of age and older"; and

4. If the advertisement involves direct, individualized communication or dialogue, utilize a method of age affirmation to verify that the recipient is 21 years of age or older before engaging in such communication or dialogue.

C. Advertisements regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol shall not:

1. Be broadcasted (i) through any means unless at least 71.6 percent of the audience is reasonably expected to be 21 years of age or older, as determined by reliable, up-to-date audience composition data or (ii) through digital pop-ups;

2. Be misleading, deceptive, or false;

3. Target or appeal particularly to persons younger than 21 years of age, including by use of cartoons;

4. Imply that marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol enhance athletic prowess or are government endorsed;

5. Be displayed on a billboard or at a sporting event;

6. Make any reference to the intoxicating effects of marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol;

7. Promote overconsumption or consumption by persons younger than 21 years of age; or

8. Depict a person consuming marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol or depict any person younger than 21 years of age.

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18VAC110-60-215.  Marketing and advertising.

A. A pharmaceutical processor may engage in marketing activities related to products, the medical cannabis program, the pharmaceutical processor company, and related communications, except those marketing activities that (i) include false or misleading statements; (ii) promote excessive consumption; (iii) depict a person younger than 21 years of age consuming cannabis; (iv) include any image designed or likely to appeal to minors, specifically including cartoons, toys, animals, children, or any other likeness to images, characters, or phrases that are popularly used to advertise to children; (v) depict products or product packaging or labeling that bear reasonable resemblance to any product legally available for consumption as a candy or that promotes cannabis consumption; or (vi) contain any seal, flag, crest, coat of arms, or other insignia that is likely to mislead patients or the general public to believe that the cannabis product has been endorsed, made, or used by the Commonwealth of Virginia or any of its representatives, except where specifically authorized.

B. A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall not advertise (i) through any means unless at least 85% of the audience is reasonably expected to be 18 years of age or older, as determined by reliable, up-to-date audience composition data or (ii) on television or the radio at any time outside of regular school hours for elementary and secondary schools.

C. Advertising must accurately and legibly identify the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility responsible for its content and include a statement that cannabis products are for use by patients only. Any advertisement for cannabis products that is related to the benefits, safety, or efficacy, including therapeutic or medical claims, shall:

1. Be supported by substantial, current clinical evidence or data; and

2. Include information on side effects or risks associated with the use of cannabis.

D. Advertising shall not:

1. Be misleading, deceptive, or false or contain any health-related statement that is untrue in any particular manner or tends to create a misleading impression as to the effects on health of cannabis consumption;

2. Contain a statement, design, illustration, picture, or representation that:

a. Encourages or represents the recreational use of cannabis;

b. Targets or is attractive to persons younger than 18 years of age, including a cartoon character, a mascot, or any other depiction or image that is commonly used to market products to minors;

c. Displays the use of cannabis, including the consumption, smoking, or vaping of cannabis;

d. Encourages or promotes cannabis for use as an intoxicant; or

e. Is obscene or indecent.

3. Display cannabis or cannabis product pricing except as allowed in subsection G of this section.

4. Display cannabis products or images of products where the advertisement is visible to members of the public from any street, sidewalk, park, or other public place; and

5. Include coupons, giveaways of free cannabis products, or distribution of merchandise that displays anything other than the facility name and contact information.

E. A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility may list its business in public phone books, business directories, search engines, or other places where it is reasonable for a business to maintain an informational presence of its existence and a description of the nature of the business. A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall not engage in the use of pop-up digital advertisements.

F. Any website or social media site owned, managed, or operated by a pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall employ a neutral age-screening mechanism that verifies that the user is at least 18 years of age, including by using an age-gate, age-screen, or age verification mechanism.

G. A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility may display the following information on its website or social media site:

1. Name and location of the processor or facility;

2. Contact information for the processor or facility;

3. Hours and days the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility is open for dispensing cannabis products;

4. Laboratory results;

5. Product information and pricing;

6. Directions to the processor or facility; and

7. Educational materials regarding the use of cannabis products that are supported by substantial, current clinical evidence or data.

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