Portman Group warns retailers on cannabis-flavoured gin

A publican from Bristol complained about three products; Perigan's Cannabis-Flavoured Gin, Iganoff Cannabis-Flavoured Vodka and Rodnik's Cannabis-Flavoured Absinthe. The label on each of the bottles features a picture of what looks like a cannabis leaf. 

The Portman Group's independent complaints panel decided that all three products breach its code of practice on the naming, packaging and promotion of alcoholic drinks because of their illicit drug association.  The body has sent an alert bulletin to retailers urging them not to stock the product until the marketing is altered to comply with the code. 

David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group, said such a blatant breach of the alcohol marketing rules is unusual: 'Too many young adults these days regard alcohol and illicit drugs as interchangeable. The industry must not contribute to this attitude but instead distance itself totally from illegal drugs,' he added.

This article was first published on Marketing