Trademark Caselaw | Mexico | CANNAREET Logo Including Cannabis Leaf Refused For Being Immoral

IMPI, Mexico’s Industrial Property office, recently refused the registration of a logo, which it found immoral for including a cannabis leaf.

CANNAREET (Logo), International Registration No. 1446421, as filed by Israeli company Cann10 Ltd.

In its January 28 decision, refusing a trademark application filed under the Madrid system for CANNAREET (Logo), in connection with marijuana for medical use, IMPI stated that, since the proposed mark included a drawing of the cannabis flower, “(…) a substance whose growing, preparation, acquisition, trade, use and consumption are banned in the national territory (..)” it was found to be immoral and against public order.

Mexico’s relationship with cannabis is still a developing story, transitioning form prohibition since the early 20th century and later decriminalization during 2009, to a 2018 decision from the Supreme Court that found  the law prohibiting recreational use of cannabis to be unconstitutional, and a law legalizing cannabis soon to be approved by the Senate. It seems as if it is just a matter of time before IMPI would start granting cannabis-associated trademark registrations.

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