Dolphins respond to reports Alternaleaf cannabis sponsorship is under review

The Dolphins have responded to reports their groundbreaking sponsorship deal with a general health clinic that prescribes medicinal cannabis was under review.

Dolphins CEO Terry Reader with Montu vice president Rhys Staley. Picture: Supplied

The Dolphins reassured a government body they are aware of their responsibilities in a groundbreaking sponsorship with a general health clinic that prescribes medicinal cannabis.

It was reported on Monday the Dolphins’ two-year deal with plant medicine clinic Alternaleaf which was announced last month was under review to ensure it complied with the Therapeutic Goods Act.

But Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader said the Dolphins had sought legal advice to ensure compliance before signing the deal which sees the brand’s logo appear on the Dolphins match day strip.

“After entering into the partnership with a general health clinic, we received what is considered an education and guidance letter from the TGA five weeks ago, which we immediately responded to underlining that we were aware of our obligations,’’ Reader said.

“This is common practice with sports sponsorships, as all NRL clubs are aware of when dealing with regulatory requirements across many different sponsorship categories - most notably alcohol and gambling.

“We have worked closely with the sponsor and obtained legal advice to ensure compliance.”

Reader has provided reassurances that legal advice was sought to guarantee compliance. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

It is illegal for anybody to promote prescription medicine but Alternaleaf is a general health clinic rather than a type of medicine.

Alternaleaf has been promoted on buses, billboards and commercial radio since last year but the Dolphins deal seems to have drawn special attention.

Alternaleaf boss Rhys Staley told the Cannabiz magazine management expected the decision to sponsor the Dolphins would raise debate.

“Our in-house legal counsel bounced it backwards and forwards umpteen times and said, ‘Yes, there’s a level of risk associated with this’,” Staley told the magazine.

“We said we wanted to do it. We need to be innovative. We need to be disruptive in a (way) that we believe is fair and reasonable.”

Originally published as Dolphins respond to reports Alternaleaf cannabis sponsorship is under review