Some people are baffled by the idea of cannabis ads during the Super Bowl, especially with its recent legalization in some states. But the growing popularity of the sport may not be limited to advertising. Some of these ads have sparked controversy, and some even go as far as smoking weed before the halftime show. But no matter what you think, cannabis advertising is inevitable, so long as it is handled carefully.
Cannabis advertising during the Super Bowl
Although marijuana remains illegal on a federal level, it is legal in 36 states, including Colorado, and has grown in popularity among the general public. The Super Bowl in Denver is the largest cannabis market in the country. However, the NFL continues to ban advertisements for the drug during the game. According to The Denver Post, a marijuana advertisement in the Super Bowl would cause “prohibition-level disruptions” and would damage the game’s commercial integrity.
The decision to reject advertisements for cannabis was not unanimous, however. In 2008, NBC and CBS declined to run ads for Weedmaps, an online search engine for dispensaries. Many deemed this decision hypocritical, not least because sports betting and alcohol companies are usually the largest spenders of advertising during major sporting events. Nonetheless, the NFL and NFLPA have recently announced plans to award $1 million in research funding to study the effects of cannabis. Until then, it will take years before cannabis advertising can be seen on television.
Despite these restrictions, cannabis companies have long sought to make a splash during Super Bowl Sunday. Throughout the years, these companies have produced commercials featuring the hottest actors and cultural milestones. This year, the Super Bowl entertainer is Snoop Dogg. Nevertheless, cannabis companies are not allowed to run ads during the Super Bowl. In an effort to counteract the current restrictions placed on legal cannabis businesses, Weedmaps has debuted a digital ad for the upcoming game.
Though cannabis is legal on a federal level, cannabis has remained a taboo subject in mainstream media. However, clever writing has helped make cannabis advertising during Super Bowl week a hit. In the first ad by Weedmaps, a man dressed as a broccoli appeared to poke fun at the lack of acceptance for cannabis in public. Another commercial for Weedmaps is a satirical take on cannabis censorship.
Legalization of marijuana in some states
The Super Bowl is a moment for the world to recognize the legalization of marijuana in some states, like California, where growing of LA Confidential Strain and recreational marijuana sales are now allowed. Although many people fear the effects of pot on the environment, the legalization of marijuana in some states has opened the door to an interesting opportunity: the Big Game. This year, the Super Bowl will be held in Los Angeles, a city that once remained synonymous with illicit dealings in liquor store parking lots. Now, the marijuana industry is thriving in the city and has grown in popularity in recent years.
The NFL has not commented on the upcoming bud bowl, but one dispensary near SoFi Stadium in San Francisco will offer a variety of cannabis products. Fans can purchase pre-rolled joints, edibles, beverages, and candy made from cannabis without the need to have a medical card. Additionally, marijuana dispensaries are a source of legal cannabis for those who do not have a medical marijuana card, and are not afraid of getting arrested. While there are some concerns about marijuana advertising in the Super Bowl, it is likely that the NFL will not allow marijuana ads during games or broadcasts.
While the NFL does not currently have a policy on marijuana use, the Super Bowl has become part of the hype around the NFL. Though the league has not suspended players, it has banned players for use of illegal substances in past seasons. Despite the growing popularity of marijuana, the NFL has recently awarded $1 million to medical researchers to carry out research on the impact of marijuana on concussion and pain management.
Controversial ads
Despite legalization, controversial marijuana ads continue to crop up in the media. According to Pew Research Center, 62 percent of Americans support the legalization of marijuana. Many politicians, including Bernie Sanders and Cory Booker, have endorsed legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. However, it remains illegal under federal law. As of now, cannabis is still classified as a Schedule 1 drug. The NFL has been a staunch opponent of marijuana use.
But CBS has refused to run an ad supporting marijuana use during the Super Bowl. It said that ads related to cannabis are too controversial. This decision is likely a result of the fact that medical marijuana is legal in more than thirty states, but it is illegal federally. Despite this fact, CBS declined to allow the ad despite the marijuana company’s request. However, a source close to the network said it was simply too risky to run an ad on the Super Bowl.
The campaign has a number of other objectives. The first aims to promote medical marijuana. For example, the company Acreage has created a Super Bowl advert that features a child with epilepsy, a military veteran with traumatic brain injuries, and a doctor recommending marijuana. Acreage’s ad also highlights the benefits of marijuana for treating pain. Its message is not merely to promote its product.
Although the legalization of marijuana in many states has opened the way for commercialization, the controversial topic still remains taboo. It’s not surprising, then, that cannabis has become an increasingly popular topic in advertising. In fact, clever writing and innovative marketing helped make the topic a hot topic during Super Bowl week. One of the best-known ads, for example, posed the problem of cannabis censorship by featuring a man dressed as a broccoli or maple leaf. Another controversial commercial, however, posed the problem of cannabis censorship by depicting a man in a pot costume.
