Twitter Loosens Restrictions on Cannabis Advertising and Minnesota House Approves Legalization of Recreational Cannabis
Twitter, under the control of cannabis-friendly Elon Musk, announced it is loosening restrictions on cannabis advertising, setting itself apart from other advertising giants like Meta and Google. Ads can now promote brand preference and informational cannabis-related content for CBD, THC, and cannabis-related products and services.[0]
AdCann, a cannabis marketing and advertising website, reported the news that Twitter had made a major policy shift, allowing ads from CBD topical brands which had previously not been permitted.[1] Advertisers can target users in areas of Canada and the US where marijuana is legalized, and are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and advertising guidelines.[2] Companies can access Twitter’s full suite of advertising products, including promoted tweets and product opportunities, location-specific takeovers, in-stream video sponsorships, and partner publication features.[2]
The relaxation of the policy comes a few months after Musk halted Twitter’s COVID misinformation policy, which had removed more than 11,000 accounts since 2020. During a 2018 interview with podcast host Joe Rogan, Musk was captured on camera taking a puff from a cannabis cigarette.[3]
Amy Deneson, one of the creators of the Cannabis Media Council, declared to Politico that Twitter's acceptance of cannabis promoters is “groundbreaking” for an industry currently without clear digital resources to access large groups of people.[1] In a statement, Deneson expressed that Twitter's policy change was a wise business move and could bring in “significant revenue.”[1] According to Deneson, the cannabis industry will be advantageous with additional advertising mediums on Twitter; this will give cannabis and cannabinoid businesses a different way to reach and develop their followers.[3]
In addition to Twitter's policy shift, the President announced the issuance of marijuana-specific pardons on October 6, 2022 as part of a widely supported set of actions recognizing the folly of federal cannabis prohibition.[4] The President also granted a half dozen additional pardons, including for a handful of people with marijuana or other drug convictions on their records.[5]
In the United States, where cannabis is legal in 21 states but still illegal on a federal level, only those with a valid license will be allowed to advertise on Twitter.[3] The advertisers accept full responsibility for adhering to all laws.[3] In the US, targeting on Twitter is only allowed for users who are 21 years of age or older.[1]
At the end of last year, the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee approved a bill that would legalize recreational cannabis.[6]
0. “Twitter Allows Cannabis Advertisers to Promote in the U.S. and …” mgmagazine.com, 19 Feb. 2023, https://mgmagazine.com/cannabis-news/twitter-allows-cannabis-advertisers-to-promote-in-the-u-s-and-canada/
1. “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/
2. “Twitter greenlights ads for cannabis, THC brands – News” www.mmm-online.com, 19 Feb. 2023, https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/twitter-greenlights-ads-for-cannabis-thc-brands/
3. “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
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. “Biden Signs Equity-Focused Executive Order That Touts Marijuana …” www.marijuanamoment.net, 19 Feb. 2023, https://www.marijuanamoment.net/biden-signs-equity-focused-executive-order-that-touts-marijuana-clemency-actions-calling-criminalization-a-failed-approach/
6. “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
