How to Run LDA Compliant Cannabis Ads: What the 76.6% Rule Means

If you’re advertising cannabis, you’re navigating a maze of regulations, and LDA compliance is one of the most important (and misunderstood) rules you need to get right.

LDA stands for Legal Drinking Age, and in cannabis advertising, being LDA compliant means your marketing campaigns must reach an audience where at least 76.6% of impressions are served to individuals 21 years of age or older, in line with state-level cannabis advertising laws.

Sounds straightforward? Here's the catch: you must be able to prove it.

Let’s define LDA compliant advertising, explain why it matters, and explain why MediaJel is the only platform that guarantees 90 %+ compliance, well above the industry-required threshold.

What Is Compliance in Advertising?

Advertising compliance refers to the process of ensuring that all promotional materials and campaigns follow legal, regulatory, and platform-specific rules.

In the cannabis space, compliance touches everything from:

Audience targeting (LDA)
Geographic restrictions (ex: not within certain proximity of schools)
Content and messaging (no health claims, no minors, no glamorization)
Platform policies (Display, Google, Meta, CTV, etc.)

Staying compliant means more than checking boxes—it’s about building campaigns that deliver results without putting your business at risk.

What Does LDA Compliance Mean in Cannabis Advertising?

To be LDA compliant in cannabis advertising, at least 76.6% of the audience exposed to your ad must be verified as 21 years or older.

This threshold is based on state and federal guidelines designed to prevent cannabis advertising from targeting underage consumers, intentionally or otherwise.

If you fail to meet that threshold, you could face:

Fines and license penalties
Ad campaign shutdowns
Reputation damage
Loss of access to advertising platforms

MediaJel’s Guarantee: 90%+ LDA Compliant Delivery

At MediaJel, we don’t just hope—we prove.

Our data is backed by government census data; we can guarantee that at least 90% of your ads will be delivered to verified 21+ consumers. Much higher than the 76.6% minimum.

Here’s how we do it: With our DemoGraph Audience Builder

196M+ verified 21+ audience profiles
Cross-device matching to prevent underage leakage
Age verification based on census and voter registration data
Built-in LDA compliance filters for every campaign

No other cannabis advertising platform can offer this level of precision and protection.

Why This Matters for Cannabis Brands and Retailers

Your business can’t afford compliance violations—especially in highly regulated states or during license renewals. And beyond legal risk, there’s a brand trust issue:

If you can’t control who sees your ads, you can’t control your message.

MediaJel’s 90%+ LDA compliance guarantee gives you:

Confidence to scale campaigns without regulatory fear
Protection from non-compliant placements that could jeopardize your license
Peace of mind that your ads are reaching verified 21+ cannabis consumers
Differentiation from competitors relying on guesswork or weak targeting

Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Guess—Guarantee Compliance

Too many cannabis businesses run ads hoping they’re compliant. But hope isn’t a strategy—especially when the legal threshold is 76.6% and you’re one audit away from serious penalties.

MediaJel guarantees 90%+ LDA-compliant delivery, powered by census-backed audience data with DemoGraph Audience Builder. Whether you're running display, CTV, native, or mobile ads, we help you stay compliant, competitive, and confidently connected to the right audience.

Ready to stop guessing and start verifying?

Let’s talk about how MediaJel can make your next campaign safer, smarter, and fully LDA-compliant. Schedule a free compliance audit today!

LDA FAQs

What does LDA mean in cannabis advertising?

LDA stands for Legal Drinking Age, which in the cannabis industry refers to ensuring ads only target individuals who are 21 years of age or older.

What is the 76.6% rule in cannabis advertising?

Cannabis ads must prove that at least 76.6% of their audience is verified to be 21+. This is the minimum compliance threshold set by most state regulations.

How do I prove my cannabis ads are LDA compliant?

You need audience verification through age-gated targeting, first-party data, or verified audience segments. Platforms like MediaJel use census-backed identity data to guarantee compliance.

What happens if my ads are not LDA compliant?

You may face fines, cease-and-desist orders, the loss of your advertising privileges, or in some cases, risk to your operating license.

How is LDA compliance different from general advertising compliance?

LDA compliance is age-specific. General advertising compliance may include rules on messaging, location targeting, claims, and content restrictions.

Can I advertise cannabis on Google or Meta with LDA compliance?

Yes, but there are caveats. Google and Meta have limited policies—mainly for hemp or topical CBD. Even with LDA safeguards, most cannabis campaigns run through specialized compliant agencies like MediaJel.

What makes MediaJel’s LDA compliance different?

MediaJel guarantees 90%+ LDA-compliant ad delivery, backed by Statara’s census and voter registration data, far exceeding the 76.6% industry minimum.

What platforms allow LDA-compliant cannabis advertising?

Programmatic display, CTV, native, DOOH, and some mobile networks allow compliant cannabis ads—if you use verified audience targeting and legal geo-fencing.

How do pixels and first-party data help with LDA compliance?

They allow you to retarget verified, consenting users who’ve already engaged with your site—ensuring future ads are shown only to 21+ individuals.

Can I include a disclaimer to meet compliance?

A disclaimer alone (e.g., “21+ only”) does not satisfy LDA requirements. You must have data that proves your ads were delivered primarily to a 21+ audience.

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