Michigan Cannabis Advertising Restrictions 2024

Breaking Michigan’s cannabis ad rules will cost you $500-$20,000 in fines or your license. Here’s what you must know:

Core Rule	Requirement
Age Verification	71.6% of audience must be 21+
Location	No ads within 1,000ft of schools
Required Info	Business name + license number on all ads
Health Claims	None allowed without FDA approval

You must include these warnings on every ad:

"Illegal to drive under influence of marihuana"
"For use by 21+ or registered patients only"
"Keep out of reach of children"

What’s banned:

Health claims
Out-of-state marketing
Ads targeting under-21s
False product claims

Where you can advertise:

Platform	Key Rules
Websites	Must have age gates
Print/TV	70%+ audience 21+
Billboards	1,000ft from schools
Social Media	No paid ads allowed

Break these rules? You’ll face:

Fines up to $20,000 per violation
License suspension or revocation
Immediate ad removal orders
Required corrective actions

The CRA has gotten strict – 129 penalties in 6 months of 2023 vs just 6 in all of 2022. Document everything about your ads – placement, age checks, and warnings. The CRA can audit you anytime.

Michigan’s Cannabis Rules and Laws

The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) controls Michigan’s cannabis marketing. In 2023, they’ve gotten strict – handing out 129 penalties in six months compared to just six in all of 2022.

Here’s what they watch:

Area	What CRA Does
Marketing	Controls what you can (and can’t) say in ads
Rules	Checks if companies follow the rules
Fines	Charges $500-$10,000 for violations
Age Checks	Makes sure ads don’t target kids
Claims	Stops false product promises

Key Marketing Rules

The CRA has two main goals: protect buyers and keep ads away from kids.

Rule	What You Need to Know
Age Limits	Your audience must be 70%+ over 21 (recreational) or 17 (medical)
Product Names	Must say "medical marihuana" or "marihuana"
Health Stuff	Can’t make health claims without FDA approval
Business Details	Need license number and company name on everything
Local Rules	Follow your city’s ad rules too

What’s New in 2024

The CRA just dropped some new rules:

Update	What Changed
Names	Rules now include company names
Social Programs	New social equity guidelines
Money Rules	More financial checks
Your Say	Email thoughts to [email protected]

Breaking these rules? Here’s what it’ll cost you:

$10,000 if you skip financial reports
$500-$10,000 for bad packaging
$1,000 for each product over THC limits

These rules cover EVERYTHING – from your product labels to your latest tweet. Break them, and you’ll lose money (or worse, your license).

Main Advertising Rules

Here’s what you NEED TO KNOW about Michigan’s cannabis advertising rules:

Age Checks

The CRA won’t mess around with age limits. Here’s what they demand:

Requirement	Details
Audience Age	Only 30% under 21 allowed for ANY ad
Medical Cannabis	No ads to people under 17
Documentation	Keep ALL age compliance proof
Sponsorships	Skip events with under-17 focus

What You Can’t Say or Show

The CRA says NO to:

Content Type	What’s Not Allowed
Health Claims	Unless FDA says OK
Facts	Must be 100% true
Out-of-State Ads	Keep it in Michigan
Medical Benefits	Only with FDA proof

Where Ads Can Go

Every ad MUST include these warnings:

"It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marihuana"
"For use by individual 21 years of age or older or registered qualifying patients only"
"Keep out of reach of children"

Here’s where you can put your ads:

Platform	What to Know
Billboards	Check local laws first
Print Media	Must verify reader age
Digital Ads	Block underage viewers
Events	No youth events. Period.

Break these rules? You’re looking at $500-$10,000 in fines. Or worse: losing your license.

For medical products: Add "medical marihuana" labels and stick to patients and caregivers.

Bottom Line: Document EVERYTHING about your ads – placement, age checks, the works. The CRA might want to see it.

Want to play it safe? Cannabis marketing agencies like ProGrowth can help track your compliance through their tools.

Rules by Marketing Channel

Online Marketing Rules

Here’s what Michigan requires for digital cannabis marketing:

Platform	Rules	Key Requirements
Websites	Age gates required	– Must verify 21+ before entry – Keep proof of age verification – Include all warning labels
Email	Strict verification	– Confirm recipient age before sending – Document verification process – No mass emails without age checks
Social Media	Platform-specific	– Twitter: Pre-authorization needed – Instagram: No product sales – LinkedIn: Avoid direct cannabis terms – TikTok: No product displays

For SEO (since Google Ads won’t run cannabis ads), focus on:

Setting up age gates
Making your site work on phones
Getting listed in local directories
Using cannabis-specific search terms

Print and Broadcast Rules

Here’s what you need to know about traditional media in Michigan:

Media Type	Distance Rules	Audience Requirements
Billboards	1,000ft from schools/playgrounds	71.6%+ audience must be 21+
TV/Radio	Time restrictions apply	70%+ viewers/listeners 21+
Print Ads	Location verification needed	Document reader demographics
Event Sponsorship	Board approval required	Max 30% under-21 attendance

Every ad MUST show:

Your business name
License number
Warning labels
Age limits

Warning Label Requirements	Must Include
Driving Warning	"Illegal to drive under influence"
Age Notice	"For use by 21+ or registered patients"
Safety Notice	"Keep out of reach of children"
Medical Products	Label as "medical marihuana"

Break these rules? You’ll face fines up to $20,000 per violation.

Want to stay compliant? Use tracking tools. Companies like ProGrowth offer systems to monitor your ads and audience data across all channels.

Following the Rules

Here’s what Michigan cannabis advertisers NEED to know about record-keeping:

Required Records

Your cannabis ads in Michigan need these records:

Record Type	What to Track	Storage Time
Age Verification	– Daily audience data – Website age gate logs – Email list verification	4 years
Ad Placements	– Platform demographics – Location details – Audience size data	2 years
Warning Labels	– Label versions used – Placement proof – Update history	3 years
Sales Data	– Daily transactions – Metrc reports – Inventory changes	5 years

The CRA wants proof your ads hit the right audience. You’ll need:

Screenshots showing age gates
Demographic reports
Platform analytics
Daily Metrc KPIs

Watch Out for These Expensive Mistakes

Here’s what gets cannabis companies in trouble:

Mistake	Fine	Fix
No Age Gates	Up to $20,000	Add verification to all digital platforms
Wrong Warnings	$5,000 per ad	Copy CRA’s warning text exactly
Missing Audience Data	$10,000+	Check viewer demographics monthly
Skipping Metrc	$25,000	Make daily reporting a habit

To stay on the right side of the CRA:

Run Metrc updates daily
Prove 70%+ of your audience is 21+
Keep dated copies of ALL marketing
Document where your ads show up
Save audience data reports

What’s New in 2024

The numbers tell the story:

Sales up 16.9% (Jan 2024 vs 2023)
Metrc software now required for ALL businesses
Daily limit: still 2.5 ounces
Same tracking rules for medical and adult-use

Here’s the bottom line: Skip these records, and you might lose your license during a CRA audit.

Working with Marketing Teams

Marketing Agency Rules

In Michigan, your cannabis marketing agency needs to follow specific state guidelines. Here’s what you need to know:

Agency Requirements	Details
Documentation	Show proof that 70%+ of audience is 21+
License Display	Add business name and license number on all ads
Location Rules	Keep ads 1,000+ feet from schools/playgrounds
Content Rules	Skip health claims unless FDA-approved
Age Verification	Use birth date checks for direct marketing

The CRA can check your marketing records anytime. Make sure your team keeps proof that every ad follows these rules.

Social media for Michigan cannabis businesses comes with strict limits in 2024:

Platform Type	What’s Allowed	What’s Not Allowed
Organic Posts	Industry news, education	Product prices, usage photos
Paid Ads	Nothing – platforms ban cannabis	All paid promotions
Stories/Reels	Behind-the-scenes, grow info	Direct product ads
Direct Messages	Age-checked customer help	Mass promo messages

Look at Acreage Holdings – they ONLY post industry updates and educational content. No product use. No sales pitches.

Here’s what works:

Skip paid social – it’s not allowed
Teach, don’t sell
Save copies of everything you post
Add age gates to all profiles
Take down rule-breaking posts right away

"Cannabis marketing is extremely challenging. With the constantly evolving rules and regulations, it is non-negotiable to work with a marketing agency that has cannabis-specific experience." – Cannabis Creative

Break these rules? Your accounts could get banned – and the CRA might come knocking.

Extra Rules to Know

Medical vs. Adult-Use Rules

Michigan has specific advertising rules for each cannabis market. Here’s what you need to know:

Market Type	Required Statements	Target Audience	Age Verification
Medical	"For registered patients only"	Qualifying patients & caregivers	Must verify patient status
Adult-Use	"For use by 21+ only"	Adults 21 and older	Birth date check

For medical cannabis ads in 2024:

You MUST list qualifying conditions
Your license number needs to be visible
You CAN’T skip warning labels

For adult-use cannabis ads:

You CAN’T mention medical benefits
You MUST include warning labels
You NEED age verification

Cross-State Marketing

Here’s how Michigan handles marketing across state lines:

Marketing Activity	In Michigan	Out of State
Digital Ads	Must geo-target MI	Not allowed
Print Media	Local only	Banned
Billboards	1,000ft from borders	Not permitted
Website Content	Need age gates	Block non-MI IPs

The MRA makes it simple: Keep ALL your marketing in Michigan. That means:

Block website visitors from other states
Skip national marketing
Don’t ship across state lines

"A marihuana product marketed under the MMFLA must be marketed as ‘medical marihuana’ for use only by registered qualifying patients or registered primary caregivers." – Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency

For BOTH markets, you need to:

Make sure 70% of your audience meets age requirements
Keep records of age checks
Add warning labels
Stay 1,000+ feet away from schools

ProGrowth’s tracking tools and compliance checks help cannabis companies follow these rules. Their data shows an 85% drop in rule violations in 2023 when companies use proper age checks and geo-targeting.

Tips and Tools for Following Rules

Staff Training

Here’s what your cannabis marketing team MUST know:

Training Area	Key Focus	Tools
Ad Rules	MRA guidelines (checked daily)	Compliance software
Content Review	Warning labels + age gates	Simple checklists
Record Keeping	Ad placement data	Digital tracking
Age Checks	ID verification	Scanning tools

Keep your team on track:

Run quick daily meetings on rule updates
Follow content review checklists
Log EVERY ad placement
Check and record age verification

"Break the rules? You’ll face fines, penalties, and might lose your license." – Cannabis Legal Group

Getting Expert Help

When you need backup:

Task	Who to Call	Why You Need Them
Ad Reviews	Lawyers	Keep ads legal
Campaign Planning	Marketing Teams	Hit target audience
Data Tracking	Tech Support	Check age gates work
Staff Training	Rule Experts	Stay current

ProGrowth handles:

Where your ads show up
Who sees your content
How campaigns perform
Whether you follow rules

Their numbers don’t lie: Companies with expert help cut rule violations by 85% in 2023.

What breaking rules costs you:

Rule Break	Money Lost	Other Problems
Missing Age Gate	$26,000	Risk losing license
Label Problems	$5,000 per ad	Must stop all ads
Bad Ad Targeting	$10,000	Limited marketing

Your must-have toolkit:

Software that tracks rules
Age checking system
Ad location tracker
Training records

Wrap-Up

Here’s what you need to know about Michigan cannabis advertising in 2024:

Rule Area	Key Requirements	Penalties
Age Limits	71.6% of audience must be 21+	$26,000 fine per violation
Location	No ads within 1,000ft of schools	License suspension
Content	No plant images or health claims	$5,000 per ad violation
Required Text	Must include poison control number and driving warning	Immediate ad removal

Want to stay compliant? Here’s your daily to-do list:

Task	Details	Why It Matters
Age Check	Verify 71.6% audience rule	Avoid fines
Location Review	Check distance from schools	Keep license
Warning Labels	Include all required text	Stay compliant
Record Keeping	Log all ad placements	Prove compliance

Here’s what’s coming up in 2024:

Coming Changes	What to Do	Timeline
CRA Rule Updates	Send feedback to [email protected]	Open-ended
Product Recall Rules	Update internal procedures	Q1 2024
Manufacturing Agreements	Submit to CRA for review	Before campaigns
Social Equity Updates	Check eligibility requirements	Throughout 2024

To protect your business:

Document EVERY ad placement and audience data
Monitor CRA bulletins DAILY
Get manufacturing agreements approved BEFORE launching campaigns
Compare your ads against compliance rules

"For use by registered qualifying patients only. Keep out of reach of children." – Required statement per Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency

Bottom line: Breaking these rules doesn’t just mean paying fines – you could lose your Michigan cannabis license. Don’t take that risk.

Helpful Links

Organization	Website	What You Need
Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA)	michigan.gov/cra	Licenses, rules, forms
Michigan Medical Marihuana Program	michigan.gov/mmp	Patient cards, caregiver info
MPP Michigan	mpp.org/states/michigan	Law updates, policy news
CRA Bulletins	michigan.gov/cra/bulletins	New rules, notices

Quick Links	Purpose
[email protected]	Rule questions (2-3 day response)
[email protected]	License help (24-48 hour response)
[email protected]	Ad issues (1-2 day response)

Phone Numbers:

Main CRA: 517-284-8599
License Check: 517-284-8597
Report Issues: 517-284-8560

Report Problems:

Email: [email protected]
Web: michigan.gov/cra/complaints
Call: 517-284-8560

Find Latest Data:

Sales stats: CRA Monthly Reports
License info: CRA Database (updated daily)
Tax numbers: Treasury Reports (every 3 months)

"Weedmaps is the gateway to the black market in Michigan." – Stuart Carter, Owner of Utopia Gardens

Pro Tip: Michigan’s cannabis rules change FAST. Check CRA bulletins every month to stay current.

FAQs

Can you advertise cannabis in Michigan?

Yes – but Michigan has strict rules for cannabis ads. Here’s what you need to know:

Must-Follow Rules	What This Means
Audience Age	70%+ of viewers must be 21+
Public Spaces	No billboards or public ads
Safety Info	Include warnings + poison control #
Business Names	Can’t use "dispensary" in ads
Media	OK for TV/radio if audience is mostly 21+

Your ads MUST include this warning:

"For use by individuals 21 years of age or older only. Keep out of reach of children. It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marihuana. National Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222."

Here’s what you CAN’T do:

Make false claims
Target under-21s
Make health claims without FDA OK
Skip your license number
Break local sign rules

"A marihuana product may only be advertised or marketed in compliance with all applicable municipal ordinances, state law, and these rules that regulate signs and advertising." – Michigan Cannabis Advertising Regulations

Break these rules? You might face:

Big fines
License issues
Legal problems
Getting shut down

The bottom line: You can advertise cannabis in Michigan IF you play by the rules. But mess up, and it’ll cost you.