Leafly and the first cannabis commercial

A cannabis company advertising in the New York Times would have been unimaginable two or three years ago. Since then, times have changed. In the wake of the publication of New York Times dossier calling for the legalization of marijuana throughout the United States, Leafly, the weed evaluation site,has become the first cannabis company to buy a full-page ad in the New York Times.

23 American states have now legalized cannabis for medical purposes, 2 others for recreational use, and the majority of Americans support legalization. Patients suffering from cancer, HIV’epilepsy or multiple sclerosis can now access medical cannabis to help cure their disease or symptoms.

The advert released the day after legalization in New York State on July 7, 2014 featured the slogan «Just Say Know». Leafly Leafly's aim is to raise awareness among potential patients of the importance of informing and educating themselves in order to find the future product best suited to their medical condition. Leafly provides all consumers with an easy-to-access information portal, free from the usual clichés about cannabis consumers. The slogan «Just Say Know» is also a nod to the US anti-drug campaign of the 1980s. Just Say No.

Leafly cannabis advertising

Leafly worked on this ad 18 months before the legalization of medical marijuana in New York State. The broadcast coincided with the New York Times which only multiplied its impact. Brendan Kennedy, Leafly's CEO, also took the opportunity to reiterate his commitment to helping patients treated with medical marijuana finding the information they need to inform and educate themselves on these new subjects.