Twitter’s recent decision to allow ads for state-legal cannabis and THC products in the United States is a significant shift in policy for the social media platform. The move is expected to have a positive impact on the cannabis industry and could lead to other social media platforms following suit.
Twitter’s new policy allows approved cannabis and CBD advertisers to target the United States, provided they meet a set of conditions. The advertisers must be licensed by the appropriate authorities and pre-authorized by Twitter. They can only target jurisdictions in which they are licensed to promote these products or services online, and they may not promote or offer the sale of cannabis products. The only exception is for ads promoting topical hemp-derived CBD products containing equal to or less than the 0.3% THC government-set threshold.
Advertisers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and advertising guidelines, and they may not target customers under the age of 21. Twitter has also laid out several other restrictions to ensure that the ads do not appeal to minors. For example, ads must not use characters, sports persons, celebrities, or images/icons that appeal to minors, and they must not use minors or pregnant women as models in advertising.
The sudden policy shift comes after Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter last year. Musk, who is known for having smoked marijuana on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2018, had fueled speculation that he would loosen Twitter’s strict advertising policy governing marijuana.
The move is a welcome development for the cannabis industry, which has struggled to advertise its products and services due to restrictions from social media platforms like Facebook and Google. Twitter’s decision is expected to provide a boost to the industry, especially for American cannabis companies, brands, and purveyors who will have access to Twitter’s suite of advertising products, including promoted tweets, promoted product opportunities, location-specific takeovers, in-stream video sponsorships, and partner publication features.
The move is also seen as a sign of progress for the cannabis industry, which has been gaining increasing acceptance in the United States and around the world. More states in the U.S. have been legalizing cannabis for medical and recreational use, and countries like Canada and Mexico have legalized it for recreational use. In addition, the World Health Organization has recommended that cannabis be rescheduled to allow for medical use.
The recent policy shift by Twitter is not the first time a social media platform has allowed cannabis advertising. In January, Google Ads announced that it would no longer ban all hemp and CBD advertising in California, Colorado, and Puerto Rico. However, there are still limitations to marketers, and advertisers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Overall, Twitter’s decision to allow cannabis advertising in the United States is a positive move for the industry, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the growth of the industry. Other social media platforms are expected to follow suit, providing more opportunities for the industry to advertise its products and services. As the cannabis industry continues to grow and gain acceptance, it is likely that we will see more changes and developments in the coming years.
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