CA Bill 162 was put on hold today.
Recently, we reported on California Bill 162 is designed to restrict advertising and branding on merchandise from marijuana companies.
CA Bill 162 stated that “A licensee shall not advertise medical cannabis or medical cannabis products through the use of branded merchandise, including, but not limited to, clothing, hats, or other merchandise with the name or logo of the product.”
The bill was proposed by Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) with the intention of making cannabis less appealing to young consumers who may want to wear promotional hats and t-shirts from cannabis companies.
Of course, members of the California cannabis industry were not enthused. Cannabis companies already are restricted from many mainstream advertising outlets including google ads, facebook ads, radio, and television ads. While some businesses have been able to take out billboard ads (billboard ads from cannabis companies also would be banned under CA Bill 162), most cannot afford it. A company’s own merchandise is seen as crucial for building brand awareness.
The California cannabis industry may be able to breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now. California’s Assembly Appropriations Committee has tabled the proposal. So far, they have not released a public statement. MG is reached out and is still waiting for a reply from the committee.
