Twitter Embraces Cannabis Advertising, Making it the Largest Social Media Platform to do so
Twitter has announced a major update to its Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia policy which will permit approved cannabis advertisers to target adults in legal jurisdictions within the United States and Canada. This policy change, the largest of its kind by any social media platform, comes after Twitter owner Elon Musk inhaled from a cannabis cigarette on camera during a 2018 interview with podcast host Joe Rogan.[0]
The new policy allows approved cannabis advertisers to target users in areas of Canada and the US where marijuana is legalized.[1] Ads can only promote “informational or brand-preference content” and cannot glamorize cannabis use, appeal to minors, or advertise the price or distribution of cannabis. Ads featuring celebrities and athletes cannot promote cannabis. Advertisers in the US are not allowed to display images of individuals consuming cannabis products or appearing to be under the influence of cannabis. It is not allowed for them to urge users to go to another state or to make inaccurate or untrue assertions, such as concerning the health advantages of marijuana.[2] In the US, targeting through Twitter is only allowed for users aged 21 and above.[2]
Meanwhile, a study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that CBD may increase the effects of THC in edible cannabis products, resulting in stronger, longer-lasting drug interactions. High doses of cannabidiol may increase the effects of THC in edible cannabis products.
At the end of last year, President Bryan granted a half dozen additional pardons, including for a handful of people with marijuana or other drug convictions on their records.[3] On October 6, 2022, the President declared the giving of pardons for marijuana-related offenses as part of a popular series of measures to recognize the inanity of the federal government's ban on cannabis.[4]
The 9th committee to pass a bill that would allow recreational cannabis to be legalized is the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee.[5] The packaging and labels of the products would be child-proof, with Poison Control contact information included.[5]
Twitter’s move could possibly persuade other mainstream media and platforms to allow cannabis industry ads. Amy Deneson, co-founder of the Cannabis Media Council, said that the industry is currently lacking straightforward online tools to reach wide audiences, but that Twitter’s embrace of cannabis advertisers is “groundbreaking.”[2] Deneson added that Twitter has set no minimum ad purchases for the cannabis industry and will be matching any ad buys before March to boost reach for new cannabis advertisers, regardless of budget size.[2]
0. “Twitter will allow cannabis ads in parts of the United States …” www.morningstar.com, 19 Feb. 2023, https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20230216351/twitter-will-allow-cannabis-ads-in-parts-of-the-united-states
1. “Cannabis News | Cannabis Blog | Herban Creative” herbancreativenj.com, 19 Feb. 2023, https://herbancreativenj.com/cannabis-news
2. “Doobie-us: Pot ads come to Twitter amid cannabis industry collapse …” arstechnica.com, 19 Feb. 2023, https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/02/twitter-allows-weed-ads-the-move-could-alienate-its-top-advertisers/
3. “Advisory board to meet about cannabis law | News …” www.virginislandsdailynews.com, 19 Feb. 2023, http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/advisory-board-to-meet-about-cannabis-law/article_bdbc62a8-d32a-5407-8d28-14edc1dd1d68.html
4. “Presidential Pardons for Federal Cannabis Possession Convictions …” communitynewspapers.com, 19 Feb. 2023, https://communitynewspapers.com/featured/presidential-pardons-for-federal-cannabis-possession-convictions-still-unavailable/
5. “Recreational cannabis passes another MN House committee | News …” www.willmarradio.com, 19 Feb. 2023, https://www.willmarradio.com/news/recreational-cannabis-passes-another-mn-house-committee/article_abdf4658-aec4-11ed-8550-f78f2b27cd1a.html
