The first televised marijuana ad was foiled by the federal government

Monday was to be a landmark occasion for the country's legal pot proponents — the first televised marijuana advertisement was scheduled to air on Denver's ABC affiliate KMGH, right before Jimmy Kimmel Live! — but federal regulations got in the way.

While medical and recreational marijuana use is legal in Colorado — and in a few other states — it's still illegal under federal law. And because the FCC governs broadcast television, there's confusion surrounding the commercials' legality.

The 15-second spot, which can be seen in full over at Bloomberg, promotes Neos, a company that sells vape pens loaded with cannabis oil. Because Colorado's state law prohibits the depiction of marijuana products and imagery in advertisements, the spot itself is pretty mild. Even the narration is subtle: The words "cannabis" and "marijuana" aren't mentioned at all.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Though ABC has blocked the ad for now, with support for legalization at an all-time high, your Bachelorette commercial breaks will likely be filled with cannabis promotions someday soon.