Update: The “controversial” ad made some headlines.
Even after marijuana is legalized in a state, the fight for true equality continues. The fight can be personal, such as the unjust firing of a TV news anchor, or it can be on behalf of a business, or industry as a whole, like KATU in Portland refusing to air a commercial for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Business Conference (OMMBC). Portland is known as being one of the most cannabis-friendly cities in the world, so it comes as a great surprise to me that a marijuana commercial airs in Eugene and Medford after Portland TV rejects the ad. The OMMBC commercial is currently playing on KMTR in Eugene and KTVL in Medford, both network stations are playing the commercial during prime time, including the news.
A commercial for a cannabis vaporizer was supposed to air in Colorado, but was pulled at the last minute recently and some medical marijuana clinics, like Ashland Alternative Health, have advertised on television, but this is, I believe, the first marijuana business commercial to mention “recreational” marijuana on network television in Oregon, or anywhere in the country (if there are other “recreational” marijuana commercials airing on network television, please let me know in the comments). It is a shame that KATU, broadcasting in a progressive place like Portland, Oregon, would refuse to run the ad, especially when TV stations in Eugene and Medford were happy to air the commercial.
While we work to change federal law, it would be more understandable if TV stations would shy away from commercials that advertised a particular marijuana strain or cannabis-infused product, but it seems very odd to discriminate against a business that merely wants to help people comply with state law, as adhering to state law is one of the major priorities of the federal government. The OMMBC has lawyers, experts and politicians on hand that will help cannabis businesses and entrepreneurs comply with ever-changing local and state law, in addition to federal tax law that legally allows some deductions for marijuana business expenses, but not others.
Inadvertently, the rejection of the OMMBC commercial has probably led to more media attention for the conference and the commercial, so KATU may just be kicking themselves for turning down the revenue. Here’s hoping that in future years, the airing of marijuana business commercials will be much ado about nothing as the cannabis community and industry has achieved the equality and equal treatment that we all deserve.
Anthony Johnson
Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.
