A bill that would permit the broadcasting of marijuana commercials on TV and radio in states with legal cannabis programmes was adopted by the US House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Three weeks ago, the House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from punishing broadcasters for promoting marijuana legalisation in places with legal cannabis markets. The announcement of the bill’s approval came only after that.
Because these stations are governed by FCC licencing and federal law, the majority of TV and radio stations in those states that have legalised cannabis are currently exempt from receiving advertisements from cannabis businesses.
Federal law still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance. It is categorised alongside heroin and is thought to have a significant potential for abuse as well as no known medical benefits. As a result, advertisements for cannabis are often not permitted on cable channels, social media sites, satellite providers, print media, or billboards.
According to Insider radio, the passed law is now on its way to the Senate, where it will face a difficult struggle in getting at least 10 Republican votes.
National Association of Broadcasters spokesman Alex Siciliano commented on the House’s passage of the bill, saying: “Local broadcasters have been trapped in a regulatory hell because of conflicting federal and state cannabis regulations for far too long. The move that was made today is a significant step toward granting broadcasters the same privileges that many other media outlets have long had when it comes to cannabis advertising. Even while we are happy that the House took action, broadcasters will keep collaborating with lawmakers to find a long-term solution to this competitive inequality for the benefit of consumers.
“This House-passed measure is a huge step forward to level the playing field for local radio and TV broadcasters,” said David Donovan, president of the New York State Broadcasters Association and coordinator of the Safe Advertising Coalition. The clause clearly states that a station’s decision to accept cannabis advertising should be governed by the laws of the state in which it holds a licence.
Donovan is optimistic despite anticipating opposition from a number of GOP senators.
In order to reestablish fairness between local broadcasters and other media sources, he added, “We look forward to working with the U.S. Senate and the FCC.”
Due to the fact that it is a component of a budget bill, if the measure is enacted, it will only be in force for one fiscal year (the FY 2023 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill). If cannabis advertising continues without incident, it might persuade lawmakers to enact a similar law as a permanent rule.
