THE.PIXEL.DESK / LEAD DOCUMENT 001 / COMPLIANCE MATRIX

The 2026 Cannabis Ad Compliance Matrix.

Fourteen state rulebooks for dispensary paid media, on one screen. What you can show, what you can say, what'll get your ads pulled. Built for programmatic display, native, and on-menu. Not legal counsel.

Revision
V.1.1
Current Through
04.24.26
States
14
Next Revision
Q3.26
JUMP TO STATE CA CT FL IL MA MD MN NJ NV NY OH PA RI VA ◨ SCAN
§ 01 — UNIVERSAL RULES
Apply in every market

Rules that apply in every market, before the state overlay kicks in.

Every state card adds restrictions on top of this baseline. If a creative fails any of these checks, it's not compliant anywhere.

READING THE TAGS
PERMITTED
Expressly allowed under state rules, subject to disclaimers.
CONDITIONAL
Allowed with significant constraints or pre-approval.
PROHIBITED
Not permitted. Campaigns running this will be paused or fined.
NOT ADDRESSED
State rules silent. Industry default: assume restricted.
01 / AUDIENCE

No visibility to anyone under 21.

  • Placements must demonstrate a 71.6% 21+ audience floor (IAB standard). NY requires 90%+. MD requires 85%+.
  • No placements on content frequented by minors, regardless of contextual targeting.
  • Geofence youth-zone exclusions required in CA (1,000 ft from schools, playgrounds, youth centers).
02 / CREATIVE

No consumption, no cartoons, no kids.

  • No smoking, vaping, or active consumption depicted.
  • No cartoon characters, mascots, or toys.
  • No overconsumption visuals. No depictions of intoxication unless state-permitted.
03 / LANGUAGE

No medical claims, no slang.

  • No therapeutic or health claims unless backed by clinical data and permitted by state.
  • No "get high," "stoned," "light up," "sticky buds," or similar slang.
  • "Cannabis" and "weed" are neutral in most markets. Avoid both in NY.
04 / DISCLAIMERS

Always, space permitting.

  • "For use by adults 21+" required across the board.
  • "Keep out of reach of children" expected on every asset.
  • Market-specific license number required in CA, advised elsewhere.
05 / OFFERS

Price and promo rules vary.

  • No free cannabis, samples, or giveaways industry-wide.
  • No pricing or discount language unless expressly permitted by state.
  • Branded CTAs ("Shop Now," "View Menu," "Find Your Store") are safe defaults.
06 / STACK ORDER

Platform policy sits on top.

  • Meta and Google prohibit cannabis advertising regardless of state legality.
  • Programmatic DSPs with cannabis-approved inventory (Jane, Surfside, Fyllo) are the primary lane.
  • When state and platform rules conflict, take the stricter.
§ 02 — STATE RULES
14 markets
CA
California
Adult Use & Medical
Flower / Bud Imagery
PERMITTEDTasteful product imagery allowed.
Visual Limits
No neon colors or youth-coded imagery. Geofence exclusions required near schools, playgrounds, youth centers (1,000 ft).
Language Limits
No health claims. License number must appear on all ads.
Discount Rules
CONDITIONALNo free cannabis. Non-cannabis merch as incentive permitted.
Pre-Approval
NOT REQUIREDRetain compliance review logs.
Audience Rule
Demonstrable 71.6% 21+ audience composition required.
Required Disclaimer"Please consume responsibly. For adult use only. Keep out of reach of children." Include license number.
CT
Connecticut
Adult Use & Medical
Flower / Bud Imagery
PROHIBITEDMedical: no. AU: no external advertising of flower imagery.
Visual Limits
No obscene or indecent imagery. Medical ads: no cannabis leaf imagery at all.
Language Limits
No wellness or therapeutic claims. No "pharmacy" terminology.
Discount Rules
CONDITIONALDiscount language permitted with restrictions.
Pre-Approval
REQUIREDCreative pre-approval mandated before deployment.
Audience Rule
Medical ads must not be visible from outside the dispensary.
Required Disclaimer"Medical cannabis is for use by qualified patients only." AU creative requires 21+ language and "keep out of reach of children."
FL
Florida
Medical Only
Flower / Bud Imagery
NOT ADDRESSEDState rules silent. Industry default: avoid.
Visual Limits
No child-appealing imagery. No recreational tone. Keep strictly medical.
Language Limits
No health or disease claims. No targeting under 18.
Discount Rules
CONDITIONALPermitted but opt-out language required.
Pre-Approval
NOT REQUIREDMaintain compliance log internally.
Audience Rule
Medical-only market. Advertising limited to qualified patient audience.
Required Disclaimer"Please consume responsibly. Keep out of reach of children."
IL
Illinois
Adult Use & Medical
Flower / Bud Imagery
PROHIBITEDAU: no. Medical: not addressed, avoid by default.
Visual Limits
No leaf or bud imagery. No consumption visuals. No cartoons or animal visuals.
Language Limits
No medical claims. No cartoon-adjacent or kid-appealing copy.
Discount Rules
CONDITIONALPermitted with creative restrictions.
Pre-Approval
NOT REQUIREDDocument internally.
Audience Rule
Ads permitted outside dispensary with 21+ focus confirmed.
Required Disclaimer"Please consume responsibly. Keep out of reach of children."
MA
Massachusetts
Adult Use & Medical — Apr 2026 reform
Flower / Bud Imagery
NOT ADDRESSEDGenerally tolerated if tasteful.
Visual Limits
No cartoons, minor-appealing celebrities, or health claims. No off-premises billboards or transit ads.
Language Limits
No youth targeting. No false claims. Avoid overly promotional tone.
Discount Rules
PERMITTEDSales, discounts, and loyalty now permitted in-store and via opt-in email (Apr 19, 2026 reform).
Pre-Approval
NOT REQUIREDRetain records per 935 CMR 500.105(4).
Audience Rule
71.6% 21+ audience required. 500 ft buffer from schools.
Required Disclaimer"Please consume responsibly. This product may cause drowsiness. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of reach of children."
MD
Maryland
Adult Use & Medical
Flower / Bud Imagery
PERMITTEDNot prohibited under current rules.
Visual Limits
No consumption imagery. No mascots, cartoons, or under-21 celebrities. No off-premises ads except on own property.
Language Limits
No youth-appealing copy. No unsubstantiated medical claims. Per § 36-902.
Discount Rules
PERMITTEDGenerally allowed.
Pre-Approval
NOT REQUIRED$500 first fine, $1,000 second.
Audience Rule
85% adult audience floor (stricter than 71.6% industry standard). 500 ft buffer from schools, parks, libraries.
Required Disclaimer"This product contains cannabis. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children."
MN
Minnesota
Adult Use & Medical — sales live Sept 2025
Flower / Bud Imagery
NOT ADDRESSEDIndustry default: avoid.
Visual Limits
No outdoor advertising. Only 2 fixed exterior signs on licensee premises. No pop-up ads online. No alcohol imagery.
Language Limits
No health claims. No overconsumption messaging. No depiction of anyone under 21.
Discount Rules
CONDITIONALNo free samples or giveaways. Loyalty to existing 21+ customers permitted.
Pre-Approval
REQUIREDCommissioner pre-approval for non-standard marketing (30 day review).
Audience Rule
Under 21 audience cannot exceed 30%. Minn. Stat. § 342.64.
Required DisclaimerState-approved warnings required in creative. Requirements still being refined by OCM. Confirm current language with counsel at campaign launch.
NJ
New Jersey
Adult Use & Medical
Flower / Bud Imagery
NOT ADDRESSEDIndustry default: avoid.
Visual Limits
No mascots or cartoon-style elements. No exterior cannabis signage.
Language Limits
No disparaging claims. No safety or health assurances. Avoid overconsumption messaging.
Discount Rules
CONDITIONALMedical: no. Adult use: permitted with restrictions.
Pre-Approval
NOT REQUIREDMaintain internal audit trail.
Audience Rule
21+ audience confirmation. No giveaways or gift items.
Required Disclaimer"This product contains cannabis. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children."
NV
Nevada
Adult Use & Medical
Flower / Bud Imagery
PERMITTEDTasteful product imagery allowed.
Visual Limits
No consumption imagery. No kid-appealing visuals.
Language Limits
No misleading statements. No slang. No kid-appealing copy.
Discount Rules
PERMITTEDAllowed. No free or donated cannabis.
Pre-Approval
NOT REQUIREDRetail license number advised in creative.
Audience Rule
21+ audience demonstrable. No giveaways permitted.
Required Disclaimer"Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older."
NY
New York
Adult Use & Medical — strictest market
Flower / Bud Imagery
PROHIBITEDNo flower, buds, or neon colors. No bubble fonts.
Visual Limits
No cartoons. No bright colors. Billboard advertising remains banned statewide.
Language Limits
No slang ("pot," "sticky buds"). No health or wellness claims. "Cannabis" and "weed" should also be avoided.
Discount Rules
PERMITTEDPLMA amendments (Dec 2025) now permit sales, coupons, bundles, loyalty, and rewards for AU. Free cannabis still prohibited.
Pre-Approval
REQUIREDCreative pre-approval required.
Audience Rule
90%+ adult audience floor. 500 ft buffer from schools. 9 NYCRR Parts 128/129.
Required DisclaimerAdult use: "For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children." Medical: "Medical cannabis is for use by qualified patients only."
OH
Ohio
Adult Use & Medical — SB 56 effective Mar 20, 2026
Flower / Bud Imagery
PROHIBITEDNo recognizable cannabis leaves, flower, or nugs.
Visual Limits
No billboards, TV, radio, or internet programming. No combustibles depicted. External signage capped (16" x 18"), no illumination.
Language Limits
"Adult-use" only, not "recreational." No slang ("getting high," "rolling a joint"). No efficacy, safety, or therapeutic claims.
Discount Rules
CONDITIONALPermitted in-store. External promotion heavily restricted.
Pre-Approval
REQUIREDDCC pre-approval under interim rules. Fines exceeding $200K observed.
Audience Rule
No media with high likelihood of reaching under 18. 500 ft buffer from prohibited facilities.
Required DisclaimerAsset-specific per DCC pre-approval. All packaging depictions must show DCC seal and THC symbol where applicable under SB 56.
PA
Pennsylvania
Medical — pre-approval state
Flower / Bud Imagery
NOT ADDRESSEDIndustry default: avoid.
Visual Limits
No combustibles. No recreational tone. Strictly medical.
Language Limits
No slang. Edibles cannot appear in advertising. No recreational framing.
Discount Rules
CONDITIONALPermitted internally, not advertised.
Pre-Approval
REQUIREDEvery asset requires pre-approval. 28 Pa. Code § 1141a.50.
Audience Rule
Registered patients only. Medical-tone only.
Required Disclaimer"This medical marijuana product is for use by a registered qualifying patient only."
RI
Rhode Island
Adult Use & Medical
Flower / Bud Imagery
NOT ADDRESSEDIndustry default: avoid.
Visual Limits
No cartoons or youth-coded content. No consumption imagery.
Language Limits
No health or therapeutic claims. Do not combine cannabis with alcohol or tobacco references.
Discount Rules
PERMITTEDAllowed.
Pre-Approval
NOT REQUIREDBut location and signage rules are strictly enforced.
Audience Rule
Qualified patient-first framing for medical creative.
Required Disclaimer"For use only by qualified patients. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. Keep out of reach of children."
VA
Virginia
Medical — very restrictive
Flower / Bud Imagery
NOT ADDRESSEDAvoid by default.
Visual Limits
No consumption imagery. No promotional or recreational language.
Language Limits
No pricing language. No misleading health claims.
Discount Rules
PROHIBITEDNo coupons or discount messaging in advertising.
Pre-Approval
NOT REQUIREDBut heavy scrutiny on published creative.
Audience Rule
Registered patients only. One of the most restrictive markets.
Required Disclaimer"Medical cannabis is for use by registered patients only. Keep out of reach of children."
§ 03 — QUICK-SCAN MATRIX
14 states, one screen

Fourteen states, four fields, one screen.

The at-a-glance view. Tag color shows the baseline posture. Universal rules still apply on top. Click any abbreviation to jump to the full card.

MarketFlower / BudDiscountsPre-ApprovalNotes
CAAU + MedicalPERMITTEDCONDITIONALNONELicense # required on every ad. Geofence youth zones.
CTAU + MedicalPROHIBITEDCONDITIONALREQUIREDStrict on wellness language and leaf imagery.
FLMedicalNOT ADDRCONDITIONALNONEOpt-out required on discount messaging.
ILAU + MedicalPROHIBITEDCONDITIONALNONENo leaf, no bud, no cartoons.
MAAU + MedicalNOT ADDRPERMITTEDNONEApr 19, 2026 reform permits in-store sales, discounts, loyalty.
MDAU + MedicalPERMITTEDPERMITTEDNONE85% adult audience rule. 500 ft buffer.
MNAU + MedicalNOT ADDRCONDITIONALREQUIRED§ 342.64. Under-21 cap 30%. No outdoor except on premises.
NJAU + MedicalNOT ADDRCONDITIONALNONENo giveaways, no exterior signage.
NVAU + MedicalPERMITTEDPERMITTEDNONEFlexible market. Discipline on slang and kid-appeal.
NYAU + MedicalPROHIBITEDPERMITTEDREQUIRED90%+ adult audience. PLMA (Dec 2025) unlocked sales, loyalty.
OHAU + MedicalPROHIBITEDCONDITIONALREQUIREDSB 56 effective Mar 20, 2026. Fines up to $200K.
PAMedicalNOT ADDRCONDITIONALREQUIREDEvery asset pre-approved. No edibles in creative.
RIAU + MedicalNOT ADDRPERMITTEDNONELocation and signage rules strictly enforced.
VAMedicalNOT ADDRPROHIBITEDNONEVery restrictive. No pricing or coupons in ads.
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