Muni's board voted yesterday to ban cannabis advertising on the transit agency's property. The move blocks future marketing of marijuana products and services, but 130 ads currently on coaches, bus shelters and stations will remain until their contracts expire.
The Examiner reported that the agency, which already prohibits alcohol and tobacco marketing, has ad contracts totaling $19.6 million. It's unclear how much of that revenue is pot-related, but with the January 1 legalization of adult cannabis use, the ban will lead to "a potential loss of revenue."
“It’s definitely not a value judgment, it’s simply falling in line with what standard advertising practices are,” chair of the board, Cheryl Brinkman, said at Tuesday's meeting.
Other states where adult recreational marijuana sales are legal, including Oregon and Washington, have similar restrictions for advertising on public transit.
There may be some loopholes in the prohibition, however. SFMTA staff member Gail Stein said at the meeting that cannabis companies may be able to showcase advertisements that encourage the public to use products responsibly, similar to sponsored placements by alcohol companies urging users to "drink responsibly."
The agency moved to make the policy change because the city still hasn't finalized legal issues and regulations surrounding adult recreational use and sales. Muni staff said they may revisit the ban in six months.
Mayor Ed Lee also asked SFMTA to reconsider its advertising policies.
“Prohibiting cannabis advertising on public transit is the right policy to protect our future generations and communities of color the same way we have done with alcohol and tobacco ads," Lee said in a statement.
Although recreational use becomes legal statewide next month, the Board of Supervisors—which maintains recreational pot sales are a land use issue—is still debating proposed regulations.
The body hopes to come to a consensus at its next regularly scheduled meeting November 28 in order to have legislation in place by the January 1 deadline.
