Postmedia cancels print deliveries to schools due to cannabis ads

Postmedia Network Inc. will no longer be delivering newspapers to schools across Canada in order to comply with federal laws that restrict how cannabis is advertised to minors, the company said Sunday.

A spokesperson for the Canadian newsmedia company said print deliveries have been cancelled to elementary and high schools across the country that take part in the Newspapers in Education program.

Phyllise Gelfand said the move was necessary to ensure compliance with the Cannabis Act, which restricts cannabis advertising and promotions that could appeal to youth.

The Cannabis Act states that one of its purposes is to “protect young persons and others from inducements to use cannabis.” This includes prohibiting promotions, packaging and types of products that are appealing to minors.

“We deeply regret that this precludes us from delivering print editions to elementary and high schools,” Gelfand said in an email, adding schools received their last round of print deliveries of Postmedia newspapers on Oct. 31.

“We see tremendous value in supporting schools with this program and we are exploring ways to reintroduce the program that comply with the Cannabis Act.”

The Newspapers in Education program is an international initiative that aims to improve media literacy in schools.

Gelfand said schools can still be part of the program by registering for free electronic editions of the papers, which do not contain the cannabis ads.