Parents want a ban on marijuana advertising

In a national survey, 64% of Washington parents agreed that "marijuana sellers should not be allowed to advertise  . . . " on the Internet, in newspapers, in the yellow pages, in magazines, over social media, through smartphone apps, over the radio, on tv, and through most other common ways of promoting products.  In fact, a vast majority of parents think that marijuana advertising should be banned.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board's proposed rules for our state's new legal marijuana marketplace do not include a ban on marijuana advertising.  The rules place some restrictions on advertising, similar to restrictions on alcohol advertising.  However, they do not specifically address mass media advertising or marketing through smartphone apps, the Internet, and social media platforms.  They do not address celebrity endorsements and the sponsorship of events.  Yet to be publicly discussed is how advertising restrictions will be monitored and enforced.