Hemp smoothie maker pulls 'healthy, druggy' adverts

This week, the Ministry of Primary Industry contacted the owners of Habitual Fix and ordered them to amend the advertising. Photo / Michael Craig

A popular salad and sandwich chain has been ordered to pull advertising for its top-selling hemp smoothie because it made it sound like the drink could get you high.

The Herald on Sunday revealed last weekend the advertising for Habitual Fix's hemp smoothie included slogans such as "Man, that's some strong stuff", "Just ask your dealer," and "Don't panic, we also do munchies".

The $7.50 smoothies are a blend of hemp oil, cucumber, mint, yoghurt and apple juice.

They were being served in a plastic cup with a cannabis leaf on the front.

This week, the Ministry of Primary Industry contacted the owners of Habitual Fix and ordered them to amend the advertising.

The store was told to remove all health claims, drug references and to stop using images of the cannabis leaf.

All advertising on Facebook and instore was immediately altered.

Habitual Fix owner Tim Benest said he was happy to comply and only used drug references to provoke debate so staff could point out that there was no drug in the drink.

"A lot of people don't know the difference so we wanted to create an opportunity to talk about it," Benest said.

Hemp oil is legal in New Zealand because it does not contain the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Benest stood by the health claims of the smoothie but said they would no longer be used in advertising.