Broadcasters are praising the House of Representatives for telling the FCC to "Keep off the grass"... advertising, that is.

The House Wednesday (July 20) passed the 2023 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, which prevents the FCC from taking any actions against broadcasters who air cannabis advertising if it is not against the law in the state or jurisdiction in which the station is licensed.

"Broadcasters have been looking for such protections, arguing that without them they cannot air cannabis ads even where the product is legal, which is in most states.

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Cable and streaming services, with essentially no FCC licenses at risk, can and do air cannabis ads.

State broadcast associations have been pushing for the right to air ads for a legal product in their states. The New York State Broadcasters Association has pointed out that stations currently run the risk of losing their license -- a risk the bill is meant to remove -- for airing any cannabis ads since the substance remains illegal under federal law.

The National Association of Broadcasters has also pushed for a more level playing field with cable and online.

"For too long, local broadcasters have been stuck in a regulatory purgatory because of conflicting federal and state cannabis laws," said NAB spokesman Alex Siciliano. "Today’s passage marks an important step towards allowing broadcasters to receive equal treatment for cannabis advertising that many other forms of media have enjoyed for years. While we are pleased to see the House act, broadcasters will continue to work with policymakers for a permanent resolution to this competitive disparity to the benefit of consumers.” ■

Broadcasters are applauding a move by Congress that would effectively provide a federal shield for TV and radio stations from any FCC retaliation airing cannabis ads.

By a vote of 31 to 22 the House Appropriations Committee Friday (June 24) approved the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Financial Services and General Government bill.

The bill includes funding for the FCC, but only so long as none of it is used to prevent local broadcasters from airing cannabis ads in states where it is legal or punishing them for doing so.

The FCC appropriations section includes the following caveat: "[N]one of the funds made available in this Act to the Federal Communications Commission may be used, with respect to an authorization for radio or television stations, to deny, fail to renew for a full term or condition the authorization, decline to approve an application for authority to assign the authorization or transfer direct or indirect control of the licensee, require an early renewal application, or impose a forfeiture penalty because the station broadcast or otherwise transmitted advertisements of a business selling cannabis or cannabis-derived products, the sale or distribution of which is authorized in the State, political subdivision of a State, or Indian country in which the community of license of a station is located, or of a business selling hemp, hemp-derived CBD products or other hemp-derived cannabinoid products."

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Broadcasters have been looking for such protections, arguing that without them they cannot air cannabis ads even where the product is legal, which is in most states.

The National Association of Broadcasters applauded the proposed protections for stations.

"We are pleased to see that this bipartisan language has advanced in the House today," said NAB spokesman Alex Siciliano. "As the vast majority of states have legalized cannabis in some form, today marks a long overdue step toward finally allowing broadcasters to receive equal treatment regarding cannabis advertising that other forms of media have had for years."

Cable and streaming services, with essentially no FCC licenses at risk, can and do air cannabis ads. 

But NAB was looking for more help. "While we welcome today's progress, local broadcasters will continue to work with all policymakers towards a broader resolution of this competitive disparity and in support of our unique service to local communities."

State broadcast associations have been pushing for the right to air ads for a legal product in their states. The New York State Broadcasters Association has pointed out that stations currently run the risk of losing their license--a risk the bill is meant to remove--for airing any cannabis ads since the substance remains illegal under federal law. 

The association also points out that broadcasters have for years imposed their own limits on alcohol ads, including limiting them to shows the majority of whose audiences (at least 71.6%) are over 21, and said that should apply to cannabis ads.

“We are grateful to House Appropriations Committee chair Rosa DeLauro, Subcommittee chairman Mike Quigley and members of the Committee for recognizing the unfairness of the present situation with respect to cannabis advertising," said New York State Broadcasters Association president David Donovan. "The provision in this House appropriations bill is a major step forward for leveling the playing field for local broadcasters. We believe the law of the state in which a station is licensed should determine whether a station can accept cannabis advertising if they so choose. We look forward to working with members of Congress and the Administration to help restore parity between local broadcasters and other media outlets.” ■

Fusion will look to expand its original programming portfolio with the launch of several documentary series and specials over the next few months.

Among the new docu-series slated for the network is The Cannabusiness Report, a four-part series revolving around the cannabis culture and industry premiering in August; The Chair, which follows the work of two first time film directors also debuting in August; My Selfie Life, a 10-episode series premiering in October in which young people film themselves living their lives; and Drug Wars: Season 2, a weekly series that chronicles the reality of international anti-narcotics operations, said network officials.

Other documentaries/specials include Miami Porn: Sex Work in the Sunshine State, premiering Sunday which follows the new entrepreneurial pornographers of Miami and how they’re changing the adult entertainment industry; Number One with a Bullet, (debuting Aug. 2) which pulls back the curtain on gun violence in hip-hop America; The Thread (Aug. 23) which exposes the impact amateur internet writers are having on journalism; The Search for Sexy (Aug. 25) in which podcaster Sandra Daugherty look at what makes someone sexy; Drone Nation (Sept. 1) which examines how drone technology is changing the way we see the world; and Top Spin (Oct. 3) which features three teenagers battling their way through the world of competitive ping pong.

Three shows that have yet to be scheduled include Tom Felton Meets the Superfans, which follows actor Tom Felton (Harry Potter) as he seeks insight into the world of superfans and celebrity; The Drug Warriors, which follows the lives of those battling the drug war on different frontline; and Can You Dig This, which takes an inside look at the urban garden movement in South L.A. said network officials.

“We know our audience has an insatiable hunger for thought provoking entertainment. Fusion is committed to showcasing stories that take our audience on journeys to worlds that they may not ordinarily be exposed to,” said Fusion chief programming officer Wade Beckett said in a statement. “We are continuing to double down on content that resonates with our diverse audience. This slate of original series, documentaries, and specials nicely complements our existing news and topical-comedy offerings.”

CNN will follow the lives of marijuana franchise entrepreneurs as part of a new unscripted series High Profits, the network said Thursday.

The series, set to debut in 2015, profiles Brian Rogers and Caitlin McGuire, the owners of Breckenridge Cannabis Club (BCC) whose marijuana business has seen increased revenues since Colorado recently legalized the use and sale of recreational marijuana, said network officials.

The series joins Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, This is Life with Lisa Ling, Somebody’s Gotta Do It with Mike Rowe, The Hunt with John Walsh, as part of CNN’s lineup of unscripted series programming.

CNN is the second network this month to jump into the marijuana-based reality series arena. TruTv last week said it will develop a series pilot around Medicine Man (working title), which follows the Williams family dynasty behind the Medicine Man company -- one of the leaders in Colorado’s legal marijuana industry.