Exclusive | SNY airs cannabis ads during reeling Mets games - but some parents are smoking mad

SNY telecasts of New York Mets games have begun airing cannabis advertisements from Strain Stars. Some viewers react angrily, arguing the ads can be seen by kids and other people under 21, who are barred from buying legal cannabis. The 30-second spots include promotional offers and show glass-enclosed cannabis products. Greg Hach, a Republican congressional candidate, blames New York Democrats and regulators for allowing weed advertising on sports TV where children watch baseball. He calls for an outright ban, citing concerns that marijuana can damage young brains. Arsh Singh, co-owner of Strain Stars, says the company is permitted by state regulators to advertise during sports telecasts to promote the legal market.

"SNY's telecasts are now airing cannabis ads as some angered fans might be feeling they have to get tuned up to want to tune in to the last place New York Mets. But the marijuana spots are getting some viewers smoking mad because they could reach kids and other viewers under 21, who are banned from buying legal cannabis. "10% off orders over $150. Only during Happy Hour - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday-Friday," the Strain Stars 30-second spot says in a message that blares across the TV with music in the background."

""Free items for the first 10 customers. At all 3 Strains Stars Locations. Every single day." Viewers can see glass-enclosed flowered pot in the ad. Strain Stars has stores in Farmingdale, Riverhead and White Plains. The ad has appeared periodically during SNY's televised Mets games including on May 18. The promotions and visible products are presented during televised baseball coverage."

"Greg Hach, a Republican running for Congress in New York's third congressional district, blamed New York's Democratic politicians and regulators for exposing young baseball fans to marijuana. "It's a wholesome American tradition - baseball," said Hach, who's running a district that encompassed covering parts of Nassau County and Queens. "We WANT kids tuning into it. But do we want them watching cannabis ads?" "What happened to wholesome?" Hach said. "NY Democrats carved out a loophole to allow weed ads on sports TV, knowing full well that kids watch baseball games. Shame on them.""

"While understanding many adults like legalization, Hach said parents don't want's their teenage kids becoming pot smokers. "You know why? Because study after study is showing that marijuana can seriously damage young brains," Hach told The Post, saying he was calling for an outright ban on the ads. Arsh Singh, co-owner of Strain Stars, said his firm is permitted by state regulators to advertise on sports telecasts to promote legal cannabis. "It's to grow awareness for the legal market,""

Read at New York Post