The Dolphins made headlines when players were spotted with white tape covering the logo of their partner, Alternaleaf, on their jerseys during a game in Darwin. This move came after the club received advice amid legal actions taken against Alternaleaf for allegedly promoting medicinal cannabis unlawfully. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has taken legal action against Alternaleaf and related parties for advertising medical cannabis on various platforms without the necessary approvals.
According to a club spokesperson, the decision to cover the Alternaleaf logo on player jerseys was a response to the ongoing legal issues faced by the partner company. The TGA alleges that Alternaleaf and associated entities advertised medicinal cannabis in a manner that implied TGA approval and minimized potential risks or side effects, contravening regulations. The Dolphins' partnership with Alternaleaf has attracted scrutiny, with the TGA assessing whether any promotional material linked to the collaboration breaches advertising regulations surrounding medicinal cannabis.
The TGA's actions have put a spotlight on the partnership between the Dolphins and Alternaleaf, with ongoing monitoring of games and broadcasting to ensure compliance with regulations. Despite the legal proceedings, the Dolphins and Alternaleaf had recently announced their partnership as a significant commitment to community health. The TGA reiterated that partnerships between sports teams and entities in the medicinal cannabis supply chain are not prohibited, but advertising prescription medicines to the public without proper authorization is unlawful.