“The Dolphins have taken some advice to be proactive until the matter can ultimately be sorted with a definite conclusion.”
The NRL was aware of the Dolphins’ actions after also being alerted to the potential for the governing body, as well as broadcasters Nine – publisher of this masthead – and Fox Sports to be potentially found in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act.
The legislation prevents the advertising of prescription cannabis and this extends to “all media visible to the public such as stadiums, sports jerseys, billboards, magazines, websites, broadcasts and social media”, according to the TGA.
Broadcasters Nine and Fox Sports have both declined to comment on the issue but confirmed they are working to comply with TGA guidelines regarding any displays of the Alternaleaf logo in their coverage.
Montu, a major supplier of medicinal cannabis products, insists the Dolphins partnership does not violate TGA advertising laws.
“What we are promoting is a healthcare clinic, and while there are rules around how we go about that, we have reviewed them as appropriate,” spokesperson Kelly King said earlier this week.
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“The TGA has confirmed in writing to us that partnerships between sports teams and entities involved in the supply of therapeutic goods are not prohibited by the law.
“Alternaleaf is a healthcare clinic with more than 150,000 patients and we are promoting our expert clinicians, and ease of booking process. We do not consider promotion of our clinic itself as problematic.”
Cannabis products are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, although the Dolphins’ sponsorship is not related to medical treatment for its players.
Source Agencies
