Pubdate: Wed, 03 Dec 2014
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Darrell Bellaart
Page: A1

PRODUCERS OF POT DEAL WITH ADVERTISING STANDARDS

Nanaimo medical marijuana producer Tilray says it is working with 
Health Canada to get advertising in line with standards of accuracy 
for the sale of a prescription drug.

The national agency sent memos out to 13 commercial cannabis 
producers across Canada on June 30, calling for the immediate removal 
of inappropriate claims in advertising for medical marijuana.

The federal government was "concerned about advertisements that are 
false, misleading or deceptive and those that advertise marijuana and 
remind them that their obligations, specifically that the advertising 
(of) marijuana is prohibited," the agency told the Ottawa Citizen the in July.

Tilray and Leafly, both owned by U.S.-based Privateer Holdings, are 
regularly featured on a U.S. marijuana review website, which offers a 
consumer app that allows users to post reviews of the various strains 
of cannabis produced.

Examples of posted reviews range from "euphoric," through "happy," 
"relaxed," "sleepy" and "hungry."

Phillipe Lucas, Tilray vice-president, patient research and services, 
told the Citizen that Health Canada had not expressed any specific 
concerns about the company's advertising.

Asked for an update, he referred questions to Energi PR, Tilray's 
Toronto public relations firm.

Health Canada recently wrote to clarify the rules, said Marlo Taylor, 
of Energi.

"I don't have the details, but we'll look at any changes we'll have 
to make in our communications," Taylor said. "If anything, we welcome 
clarification."

She said Health Canada has not come down hard on Tilray.

"Really it's in the best interests to be sure information we share 
about medical cannabis is responsible and scientifically accurate."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom