Google has effectively banned all apps that have an ordering feature for cannabis products, “regardless of legality.”
Companies like Weedmaps have 30 days to take down their ordering feature. Any app that lets consumers order cannabis through “an in-app shopping cart feature” facilitate “in arranging or pick-up” of “cannabis products” has 30 days to remove that ordering function.
This action by internet powerhouse Google begs the question what are companies like Weedmaps, Leafly, Eaze, and any dispensary with an app on Google Play going to do? What do you think this means for the cannabis industry worldwide? What is Google trying to tell the world with this action?
I’m not happy about this news, but from what I’ve read so far this was a broader response/rule change to the alcohol and tobacco industries that also had to include cannabis. Or at least that is what they are saying. Trying to curtail online access, marketing, and targeting of children with tobacco products, especially vaping.
Alcohol delivery sounds like it has some grey area, but again I think the motivation has been to curtail sales to minors. Cannabis being Schedule 1 got lumped into this - which is a definitely step back for the industry in my opinion.
It will ultimately make the ordering process clunkier now that you can’t do it directly in an app, and will likely have to add an extra step that drives users to the website or schedule in-store pickups vs. deliveries. There’s work arounds, but it’s not good news - no question.
Hmmm, interesting timing that all the tech giants are banning cannabis transactions or marketing…
What do you think this means for cannabis and tech moving forward from here? Is this a step backward toward a state of re-stigmatization when it feels like we are teetering on the precipice of cannabis normalization?
Facebook isn’t for our industry. They’ve been penalizing us forever, and it’s time we ban that shithole. I still can’t even search for groups that I am ADMIN of, I have to go to my profile and find which groups I am in.
(Sorry I am swearing so much this morning but %&%**@*$&@)
I think it’s a step towards networks that support us. LinkedIn is great, and so is Twitter. But the Facebook/Instagram addiction is so strong, nobody bothers to leave those networks anymore.
We need to support those who support us. Facebook/IG are like an abusive spouse. We keep going back, no matter how many times we get punched in the face.
From my understanding Google was going to work with major companies such a Weedmaps etc… To transition their apps to be compliant.
I believe they are essentially forcing these apps to go from the app to a web based purchase. Sucks due to convience but at least the ban doesn’t include linking to purchase site.
+1 for noticing that @Growernick !
Such coordination is usually an indication of a common force or interest. The history of The Marijuana Tax Act, which got us here is a perfect example.
I would be willing to bet that there is a corollary force in another arena, such as politics, big ag or the like that would help us see where it’s coming from.
That said, it would appear that this “ban” is only for Play Store apps and could easily be worked around by providing a link to a separate ordering app from within the app or the website. Playstore apps don’t have to provide the full functionality.
The intrigue only grows. I’d really like to be a fly on the wall at some of the meetings where those high-level decisions are being made, both in Silicon Valley and Washington DC.
Nothing is beyond those control freaks. But, if you don’t advertise the ordering functionality in the Play Store app description you should be okay I would think, especially if you only have a link to a website that allows you to download a separate app. Not sure what the policies are, if any, for in-app links on Play Store as I try to stay as far away from them as I can. Perhaps the best approach would be to run an ad for the ordering app on a cannabis friendly in-app ad network, if there is such a thing.
At any rate, G**gle are apparently under a bit of stress right now. Much of their entire services network on the east coast went down yesterday, perhaps centered on their Langley facility. Rumours about the challenges of erasing evidence in a self-healing network seem more credible that being caused by a backup process.
