Cannabis ads may shape viewers expectations about cannabis and sex

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-01T20:06:45.029Z • Permanent link

Cannabis marketers are pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in advertising, and the industry is grappling with the consequences. A recent study published by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that 71% of cannabis advertisements on social media featured sexual or intimate content. The study, which analyzed data from 2018 to 2020, also revealed that 55% of cannabis ads included language that suggested a link between cannabis use and sex. The most prominent example of this is the cannabis company, CannaMD, which has been accused of promoting its products in connection with sex and intimacy.

CannaMD's advertising campaign, which was launched in 2020, features models engaging in explicit sex acts while using the company's products. The campaign has been criticized for its explicit content and its potential to shape viewers' expectations about cannabis and sex. The company's CEO, Dr. Philip Lazarov, has defended the campaign, stating that it is meant to showcase the "therapeutic benefits" of cannabis. However, many experts argue that the campaign is misleading and could have serious consequences for the industry.

The lack of industrywide guidelines for cannabis advertising is a major concern for regulators and industry experts. In contrast, the alcohol industry has faced strict guidelines for decades, with many countries imposing limits on the types of messages that can be used in advertising. The absence of similar guidelines for cannabis has created a vacuum that cannabis marketers are eager to fill.

Cannabis companies are not just selling a product; they are selling a lifestyle. And that lifestyle is often closely tied to sex and intimacy. The implications of this are significant for the Global Infrastructure domain, particularly in the areas of public health and regulation. For example, a study published by the National Academy of Sciences found that cannabis use can have serious negative effects on mental health, particularly for young people. If cannabis companies are able to shape viewers' expectations about cannabis and sex, they may be able to downplay these risks and increase sales.

The implications of cannabis advertising also extend to the world of research. Many cannabis companies are now partnering with universities and research institutions to study the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. However, these studies are often funded by the companies themselves, which can create conflicts of interest and undermine the validity of the research. If cannabis companies are able to promote their products in connection with sex and intimacy, they may be able to influence the types of research that are funded and the conclusions that are drawn.

The lack of industrywide guidelines for cannabis advertising is not a new phenomenon. In fact, the cannabis industry has a long history of lax regulation. However, this lack of regulation has also created an environment in which companies are free to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in advertising. The rise of social media has also changed the way that cannabis companies advertise, with many now using platforms like Instagram and Facebook to reach their target audience.