Press Release

Cannabis Media Council to Sponsor Reefer Madness The Musical a limited-run, immersive production premiering at the Whitley in Los Angeles May 30

Support aligns with the Cannabis Media Council’s founding mission to deprogram the war on plants and people by increasing mainstream media access

Los Angeles, CA, May 28, 2024 - The Cannabis Media Council, a trade association leveraging the power of advertising to advocate for mainstream media access for the cannabis industry, is a presenting sponsor for the eight-week Broadway revival of Reefer Madness The Musical. Kiva Confections, the maker of premium, award-winning cannabis edibles, and the media company, Hearst Newspapers, will also be supporting the show produced by the stars of the 2005 musical film featuring Kristen Bell, Christian Campbell, and Alan Cumming.  

“In our inaugural ad campaign - I’m High Right Now - we accented light-hearted and everyday events to caricaturize how cannabis consumption has historically been discussed in mainstream media. Reefer Madness The Musical takes a similar approach, playfully highlighting the absurdity of cannabis prohibition,” said Joyce Cenali, co-founder of the Cannabis Media Council. “We hope the production, in LA and beyond, will help continue to normalize cannabis and potentially introduce a new, theatrical audience to the plant.”

“Reefer Madness has become a proprietary eponym that extends beyond cannabis to encapsulate all bogus propaganda—particularly how hysterical, illogical and dangerous this rhetoric can be, not to mention the policy it inspires and promotes, and the relative response to that in the media and private sectors,” said Christian Campbell, Lead Producer. “Reefer Madness speaks to the overreaction that is mass incarceration in response to cannabis possession and consumption - mass incarceration of people and ideas across government and the biased reflection of this plant and those that consume it." 

“We’ve come a long way since Reefer Madness was released in 1936 to demonize cannabis, and although we still have a ways to go for broad legalization and access, we’re delighted to sponsor this revival on the heels of the recent rescheduling announcement,” said Kristi Palmer, Co-Founder and President of Kiva Confections. “We’ve been on a mission to normalize cannabis and fight against the stigma perpetuated by the original Reefer Madness and the War on Drugs since we started making infused chocolate bars in our home kitchen in 2010. By making safe, legal, great tasting edibles like our Camino gummies available across the U.S., we continue our mission to destigmatize the plant and bring cannabis into the mainstream.”

As a media sponsor, the Cannabis Media Council will be featured throughout the run in key elements such as the Playbill, the opening night red carpet event and donated the VIP gift bags. To highlight the impact of advertising, the Cannabis Media Council and Hearst Newspapers will power an ad campaign to support ticket sales and to spotlight the plant in positive ways in order to normalize consumption and foster curious and confident consumers.  

Originally premiered in 1999, Reefer Madness The Musical has become a cult-classic stage and screen production that delightfully pokes fun at decades of anti-cannabis propaganda. Following the show, guests are encouraged to continue their experience in the Reefer Den and enjoy live music, curated drinks and munchies. Tickets can be purchased at reefermadness.com 

This support comes ahead of the launch of the Cannabis Media Council’s 2024 Full Spectrum Guidelines for Responsible Cannabis Advertising Edition II. The updated guidelines (2023 edition can be found here) will address the impact that key industry developments, such as rescheduling, will have on cannabis advertising. 

About The Cannabis Media Council

The Cannabis Media Council is the first of its kind trade association on the mission to deprogram the war on plants and people. By leveraging the power of mainstream media to uplift wholehearted, people-centered advertising campaigns, the council strives to show positive experiences with cannabis in order to normalize consumption across generations and foster curious and confident consumers in order to grow the addressable market. The Cannabis Media Council founding leadership team includes industry pioneers from across the U.S. and represents the collective voice of over 300 industry members. To learn more, make a tax-deductible donation, or explore joining, visit cannabismediacouncil.com. Press assets can be downloaded here. 

About Reefer Madness The Musical 

Reefer Madness The Musical, the popular multiple award-winning musical comedy, returns for the first time in 25 years to where it all began, filling the Walk of Fame with laughter and great music. Reefer Madness The Musical will be taking over the Whitley in Hollywood starting May 30th for an eight-week run! Fueled by the starpower of producers Kristen Bell, Alan Cumming and Christian Campbell and directed by Spencer Liff (So You Think You Can Dance?, Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Neil Patrick Harris), this hilarious musical satire will be served up with cocktails and munchies. In this historic moment, in an election year, the production promises to bring thousands of tastemakers, stakeholders and celebrities together to continue pushing for progress through an unforgettable experience.

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Contact Name:  Samantha Qualls

Email: samantha@cannabismediacouncil.com

Website https://cannabismediacouncil.com