sport news Why The Dolphins were forced to tape over controversial medical marijuana ... trends now
The Dolphins have covered up their jersey sponsor, Alternaleaf, a clinic that prescribes medical cannabis, following legal advice while the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reviews the world-first sponsorship.
The TGA has started legal action in the Federal Court of Australia against Montu Group Pty Ltd, its subsidiary Alternaleaf Pty Ltd, and their shared director Mr. Christopher Strauch.
It is alleged that Montu and Alternaleaf unlawfully advertised medicinal cannabis using terms including 'medical cannabis' and 'plant medicine' to promote the Alternaleaf online clinic, which enabled patients to purchase prescription-only medicines after completing an online consultation process.
They are accused of illegally advertising medicinal cannabis on websites and social media - including the controversial Dolphins sponsorship arrangement which is a world-first when it comes to medical cannabis branding being displayed on a jersey.
Jamayne Isaako of the Dolphins with the Alternaleaf logo taped up during the match against Parramatta in Darwin
Jack Bostock is also pictured with the Alternaleaf medical cannabis logo covered up with the company locked in a legal dispute with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The Dolphins are not implicated in the court case and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing from the NRL club.
However the club has been forced to cover up the sponsor logo while legal proceedings continue.
The decision to tape over the sponsor did little to dull the undermanned Dolphins enthusiasm against Parramatta on Friday, running away 44-16 winners at Darwin's TIO Stadium.
Despite missing several key players, the Dolphins tore the tiring Parramatta defence apart from long distances, running away with eight tries to one in the second half.
The Dolphins made history in March by becoming the first NRL club to enter into a sponsorship deal with a medical cannabis company, signing a two-year agreement with Alternaleaf, the biggest plant medicine clinic in Australia.
Some players, like Dolphins forward Josh Kerr, had the tape fall off in the humid conditions in the Northern Territory
And eagle-eyed NRL fans would have noticed that Dolphins players had the tape across
