Connect with us

featured

Facebook And Instagram Seem To Have Stopped Censoring Search Results For ‘Marijuana’ And ‘Cannabis’

Published

on


Meta—the social media juggernaut behind Facebook, Instagram and Threads—appears to have rolled back a restriction on searches for words like “marijuana” and “cannabis” after criticism that the company’s censorship was overbroad and limited access to education, public health information and political advocacy.

At the beginning of this year, Meta—the social media behemoth behind Facebook, Instagram and Threads, among others—announced it would change its content moderation policies, “getting rid of a number of restrictions…on topics…that are the subject of frequent political discourse and debate.” It was part of the company’s move away from intensive moderation of controversial topics like immigration and gender.

But the company didn’t immediately change its practices around marijuana, continuing to block search results on its platform for terms such as “marijuana” and “cannabis” and instead displaying a notice encouraging users to report “the sale of drugs.”

Now that appears to have changed, however. Searches that were blocked earlier this year currently yield results without the warning that was previously displayed.

While many platforms have policies against the illegal sale of drugs or require age-gating for content around controlled substances, critics say Meta’s filtering has often been overbroad, censoring content focused on education, political advocacy and public health.

Earlier this year, for example, Facebook queries for “Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission,” “Marijuana Policy Project,” or “Marijuana Moment,” for example, would return no results and instead display a notice encouraging users: “If you see the sale of drugs, please report it.”

If you see the sale of drugs, please report it

Users who included terms like “marijuana” or “cannabis” in their Facebook searches earlier this year instead served this notice that encouraged the reporting of illegal drug sales.

The warning no longer appear for those searches as of Friday.

It’s unclear when Meta may have enacted the change. Meta and Facebook press contacts on Friday did not immediately respond to a requests for comment from Marijuana Moment.

Morgan Fox, political director at the advocacy group NORML, said earlier this year that it was “incredibly disappointing” that cannabis-related accounts were dealing with ongoing restrictions, adding that search restrictions were “still preventing advocates from being able to get exposure to the general public and the huge number of people that use these services.”

In an email Friday about the company’s seeming removal of the search restriction, Fox said he hoped the search issue had been fixed for good.

“I hope these apparent changes are permanent and pervasive, and not just a temporary fix with limited scope—which we have seen in the past,” he wrote. “Without structural changes to content moderation and a clear process for addressing instances of inappropriate censorship in a more systemic manner, advocates and educators are going to have to remain vigilant to ensure that social media platform users can continue to effectively access their information.”

Kat Murti, executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, called the updated search function “wonderful news” but noted that there are other ways Meta continues to interfere with access to even public health-focused information about drugs.

“We had met with Meta over a year ago and brought up the issue of both the search—the lack of ability to find things in the search—as well as how the algorithm was shutting these [accounts] down,” she said in an interview. “They’ve been shutting down access to businesses that are in full compliance with local laws, but also harm reduction groups that are working to save lives, drug education groups [and] folks who are working on policy change.”

“Meta is one of the biggest sources of information in our society, and people need to be able to connect,” Murti added. “They need to be able to find information about how to save lives from overdose, how to engage with their local governments, how to get involved in changing policy. They need to be able to find information about harm reduction, about getting out to vote, about legislation that’s on the ballot—and all of that is still getting censored.”

One cannabis-focused content creator who’s called out Meta in the past is cartoonist Brian “Box” Brown, who’s previously complained to Marijuana Moment that the company has flagged his posts, limited his accounts’ visibility and “killed my reach and growth.”

“My mind was boggled,” he said earlier this year. “My comic strip thats frankly TOO wonky about policy is getting flagged for selling drugs.”

In an email this week about the search function, Brown said he’s picked up on a shift in Meta’s handling of his and others’ content.

“It’s weird,” he said. “I’m not even totally sure what’s happened. *Something* has changed. Stuff isn’t getting suppressed in the way it was before. But at the same time, it kinda is.”

Unlike in recent months, “I’m not getting warnings every day,” the cartoonist continued, but some posts still seem to get throttled.” He noted that other accounts, such as “a bunch of hashmakers and other influencers” have moved to other platforms after Meta “nuked” their accounts.

“It’s kind of a mixed bag,” he said, adding that he’s going stop censoring his own content—which he’d begun doing to avoid being flagged by the company’s algorithms—and see what happens going forward.

Ahead of this past holiday season, vape device manufacturer Puffco similarly complained about Instagram and parent company Meta for what it described as an overly aggressive campaign to flag and remove cannabis-related content. A video from the company asserted that Instagram’s policing of cannabis posts by brands and individuals effectively stifles efforts at community building among veterans, medical marijuana patients and legal adult-use consumers.

“The world didn’t want us, so we made a safe space for our community on Instagram where we could just be ourselves and share what we love,” the video said. “Isn’t that the point of this place?”

Despite more and more states having legalized and regulated marijuana for adults, social media companies have regularly flagged cannabis-related content as violations of their terms of service. The practice has led to suspensions of accounts belonging to state-regulated cannabis brands, informational websites and individual content creators, who now often create backup accounts to avoid the loss of a key line of communication to thousands of followers.

In 2018, concerns arose that Facebook was “shadowbanning” marijuana pages, including those of state cannabis regulatory agencies, by blocking them from search results. An internal presentation at the company the next year noted that it was considering loosening cannabis restrictions, but many have continued to run into problems

In July 2023, Meta announced that it had updated its cannabis advertising policy to permit the promotion of some non-ingestible CBD products and also loosen restrictions on hemp ads. It said businesses could begin promoting the sale of CBD if they receive written approval from Meta and if the products are certified with the payment compliance company Legitscript and comply with local laws. Ads also could not target people under 18.

“We want people to continue to discover and learn about new products and services on our technologies,” Meta said. However, it added that “advertisers will continue to be prohibited from running ads that promote THC products or cannabis products containing related psychoactive components.”

Earlier that year, Meta faced criticism over a feature of its microblogging app, Threads, for prompting users with a “get help” message about federal substance misuse resources if they searched for “marijuana,” various psychedelics and other controlled substances. Meanwhile, alcohol- and tobacco-related searches were exempt from the prompt. The feature no longer appears to be in place.

Twitter, now known as X, had a similar practice in place in 2020, cautioning users about “marijuana” searches as part of a partnership with SAMHSA. Alcohol and tobacco were excluded from the search restriction. But in late 2022, after being acquired by Elon Musk, Twitter suspended that practice.

Also, Twitter since updated its cannabis advertising policy, aiming to give cannabis businesses that are “certified advertisers” the ability to feature “packaged” cannabis products in the ad creative that’s promoted on the social media site.

Google, for its part, updated its policy in January 2023, making it so companies can promote Food and Drug Administration- (FDA) approved drugs containing CBD, as well as topical CBD products with no more than 0.3 percent THC.

Video game streaming company Twitch, meanwhile, updated its branding policy for streamers, prohibiting promotions of marijuana businesses and products while explicitly allowing alcohol partnerships. Twitch had previously clarified rules in a way that was inclusive of cannabis—exempting marijuana-related references from the list of banned usernames, just as it does for alcohol and tobacco.

In an update to Apple’s iPhone software that was instituted in 2022, users were given an option to track medications and learn about possible drug interactions with other substances—including marijuana.

In 2021, Apple ended its policy of restricting cannabis companies from conducting business on its App store. The marijuana delivery service Eaze subsequently announced that consumers were able to shop and pay for products on its iPhone app for the first time.

In contrast to Apple, Google’s Android app hub updated its policy in 2019 to explicitly prohibit programs that connect users with cannabis, no matter whether it is legal in the jurisdiction where the user lives.

In 2022, New York marijuana regulators asked the social media app TikTok to end its ban on advertising that involves the word “cannabis” as they worked to promote public education on the state’s move to legalize.

Congressional Committee Clarifies That Hemp Ban Isn’t Meant To Restrict ‘Industrial Or Nonintoxicating’ Products

Image element courtesy of Anthony Quintano.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Become a patron at Patreon!





Source link

mscannabiz.com
Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

featured

Klutch Cannabis Opening 5th Ohio Dispensary in Northfield

Published

on


[PRESS RELEASE] – NORTHFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, Aug. 15, 2025 – Klutch Cannabis, one of Ohio’s leading vertically integrated cannabis companies, announced the grand opening of its newest dispensary, located at 10650 Northfield Road in Northfield Village, Ohio. Doors will officially open at 10 a.m. Aug. 21, 2025.

Advertisment: Cannabis Business Times » Cannabis Business Times Best Cannabis Companies to Work For » CBT Best Companies 2026 ROS Parallax Reveal » bcc-ads-730x570
Advertisment: Cannabis Business Times » Cannabis Business Times Best Cannabis Companies to Work For » CBT Best Companies 2026 ROS Parallax Reveal » bcc-ads-730x570

The new location marks Klutch’s first dispensary in Summit County, where the company is headquartered. Conveniently situated directly across the street from the MGM Northfield Park Casino and Racetrack, the dispensary is easily accessible from Route 8 and I-271, finally bringing much-needed access to medical cannabis patients and adult-use consumers in Northern Summit County communities, including Northfield Village, Macedonia, Northfield Center Township, Twinsburg, Hudson, Sagamore Hills, Boston Township, Richfield Township, Bath Township, and more.

Advertisment: Cannabis Business Times » Cannabis Business Times Best Cannabis Companies to Work For » CBT Best Companies ROS 300x250 Medium Rectangle » great-place-2026-animation300x250.gif

The expansion further solidifies Klutch’s retail footprint in Northeast Ohio and represents an important milestone as the company begins delivering its renowned top-shelf products on its home turf. Offerings will include exclusive drops and limited releases along with customer favorites from the company’s Klutch Cannabis and Habitat by Klutch lines, its Ohio-exclusive brand partners, and other Ohio cannabis companies. The Northfield dispensary will also feature Klutch’s signature aesthetic and exceptional customer service, as well as a convenient drive-thru pickup window for pre-orders.

Advertisment: Cannabis Business Times » Cannabis Business Times Best Cannabis Companies to Work For » CBT Best Companies ROS 300x250 Medium Rectangle » great-place-2026-animation300x250.gif

Hours of operation for the new Northfield Village location will be:

  • 10 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
  • 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday
Advertisment: Emerald Harvest » Emerald Harvest Order 115 » CBT ROS Leaderboard Ad 728x90 August 2025 » eh-360-web-banner-728x90.

“We’re incredibly excited to expand Klutch Cannabis’s retail footprint to Summit County,” Klutch founder and CEO Adam Thomarios said. “This location has been years in the making and will finally provide patients and adult-use customers in Northern Summit County with access to the quality, care, and consistency that Klutch is known for. Our thanks go out, especially, to the community, administration, and officials in Northfield Village for being such great partners from the start. The Village is a great place to do business, and we can’t wait to start making a positive impact in the community.”

For more information about Klutch Cannabis, its dispensaries, and its award-winning products, visit KlutchCannabis.com and HabitatbyKlutch.com or follow @KlutchxCommunity and @HabitatbyKlutch on Instagram.



Source link

mscannabiz.com
Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

Continue Reading

featured

Book Review: The Traveling Cannabis Writer’s Guide to America’s Hidden Gems

Published

on


Every so often, a cannabis book comes along that feels like it has been missing from the shelf for years. Veronica “Vee” Castillo’s Cannabis Legacy Chronicles Series: The Traveling Cannabis Writer’s Guide to America’s Hidden Gems – Part 1: The 30,000-Foot View is one of those rare finds.

We read it cover to cover and it is clear: Vee has built something more than a travelogue. This is six years of crisscrossing the United States, living out of suitcases, rental cars, and guest rooms, documenting over 200 stories that mainstream media rarely touches.

The book brims with voices from every corner of the cannabis map: Black, Brown, and woman-owned businesses, legacy cultivators preserving genetics through prohibition, Caribbean entrepreneurs blending tradition with modern cannabis tourism, and women who left corporate jobs to open dispensaries, grow medicine, and build communities.

What sets it apart is Vee’s perspective. She writes like someone who has been in the grow rooms, sat at the kitchen tables, and walked the fields, not parachuting in for a quick profile but staying long enough to see the heartbeat of each place. Her chapters on women innovators, cultural preservation, and equity-driven tourism do not just inform, they inspire.

This is not a story about cannabis, the commodity. It is about cannabis, the connector.

If you care about the soul of this industry, if you want to see the people and places that make cannabis culture rich and resilient, this book delivers. It is equal parts history, advocacy, and celebration, wrapped in storytelling that is as authentic as it gets.

Vee will soon be bringing that same depth of reporting to High Times, and if Cannabis Legacy Chronicles is any indication, readers are in for something special.

We cannot recommend it enough. Grab your copy of Cannabis Legacy Chronicles: Part 1 here and see why we are so excited to welcome her to the High Times family.



Source link

mscannabiz.com
Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

Continue Reading

featured

Texas Senators Unanimously Pass Hemp THC Ban Bill Hours After Governor Convenes Second Special Session

Published

on


The governor of Texas has convened another special session—again directing lawmakers to advance legislation regulating consumable hemp and setting an age limit to access cannabinoids. Within hours, a Senate committee quickly and unanimously approved a reintroduced bill that would simply ban hemp THC products in contravention of Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) call for regulation.

After Democratic House lawmakers staged a walkout during the first special session Abbott convened—denying the chamber a quorum in protest of a proposed redistricting plan for the state’s congressional map—the governor on Friday issued a proclamation to start a second special session. The session cannot last longer than 30 days under the state constitution, but there’s no limit on how many can be called.

On the same day Abbott declared the new session, the Senate State Affairs Committee quickly passed a reintroduced hemp bill from Sen. Charles Perry (R) in a 9-0 vote.

The legislation would continue to outright ban cannabis products with “any amount” of cannabinoids other the CBD and CBG. Even mere possession of a prohibited cannabis item would be punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, carrying up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

The governor’s latest proclamation also renews his call for legislation “making it a crime to provide hemp-derived products to children under 21.”

But while Perry’s bill that moved through committee would impose a complete ban on hemp containing any THC, Abbott said in his latest proclamation that he wanted to see a measure sent to his desk that would “comprehensively regulate hemp-derived products, including limiting potency, restricting synthetically modified compounds, and establishing enforcement mechanisms, all without banning lawful hemp-derived products.”

Heather Fazio, director of the advocacy group Texas Cannabis Policy Center, told Marijuana Moment on Friday that the group is “disappointed to see the senate suspend their own rules to circumvent public notice requirements, disenfranchising the many Texans who would have testified in opposition to SB 6.”

“This is yet another sweeping ban on THC products,” she said. “Most Texans agree with Governor Abbott: The Texas legislature should regulate, not ban, THC products.”

(Disclosure: Fazio supports Marijuana Moment’s work via monthly Patreon pledges.)

An initial version of the governor’s new proclamation for the second special session said cannabinoid products should be age-gated to prohibit access for people under 18, but that was quickly revised and republished with the age limit of 21—similar to the call for the prior special session—for reasons that are unclear.

The proclamation for the new session also specifies that regulations should not ban “lawful hemp-derived products,” whereas the proclamation for the first session referenced a “lawful agricultural commodity.”

Hemp advocates and industry stakeholders say that would effectively eradicate the state’s market, as there are very few businesses that manufacture isolated CBD or CBG products that contain no traces to THC or other cannabinoids. Federal law allows hemp products containing up to 0.3 percent THC by dry weight.

A similar bill from Perry passed the Senate during the first special session but did not advance in the House.

The other new bill filed for the second special session from Rep. Charlie Geren (R) would follow the governor’s directive to make it so consumable hemp products could only be purchased by adults 21 and older.

Ahead of the end of the first special session, the House Public Health Committee took up the prior bill to ban consumable hemp products containing THC, without taking action on it.

Abbott vetoed an earlier version of the controversial proposal that passed during this year’s regular session, and he more recently outlined what he’d like to see in a revised version of the bill.

Some, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) and Senate bill sponsor Perry, have insisted that an outright ban is a public safety imperative to rid the state of intoxicating products that have proliferated since the crop was federally legalized in 2018. Others say the legislature should instead enact regulations for the market to prevent youth access while still allowing adults 21 and older to access the products and preserving the massive industry.


Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.


Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

Meanwhile, Abbott in June signed a bill into law that expanded the state’s list of medical cannabis qualifying conditions, adding chronic pain, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases, while also allowing end-of-life patients in palliative or hospice care to use marijuana.

Texas officials took another step toward implementing that law this week—posting a draft of proposed rules to let physicians recommend new qualifying conditions for cannabis and create standards for allowable inhalation devices.

That came about a week after the the Department of Public Safety (DPS) previewed a separate set of rules to increase the number of licensed dispensaries under recently passed legislation.

During the first special session, Rep. Nicole Collier (D) introduced a one-page bill, HB 42, designed to protect consumers in the state from criminal charges if what they believed was a legal hemp product turned out to contain excessive amounts of THC, making it illegal marijuana. It would prevent the criminalization of someone found in possession of a product that’s labeled as hemp but is determined to contain “a controlled substance or marihuana.”

In order for the person to obtain the legal protection, the product would need to have been purchased “from a retailer the person reasonably believed was authorized to sell a consumable hemp product.”

Another bill—HB 195, introduced by Rep. Jessica González (D)—would legalize marijuana for people 21 and older, allowing possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, with no more than 15 grams of that amount being in concentrated form.

Yet another proposal would order state officials to conduct a study on testing for THC intoxication.

As for what Texans themselves want to see from their representatives, proponents of reining in the largely unregulated intoxicating hemp industry in Texas shared new polling data indicating that majorities of respondents from both major political parties support outlawing synthetic cannabinoids, such as delta-8 THC.

The survey also found that respondents would rather obtain therapeutic cannabis products through a state-licensed medical marijuana program than from a “smoke shop selling unregulated and untested hemp.”

Ahead of the governor’s veto in June of SB 3—the earlier hemp product ban—advocates and stakeholders had delivered more than 100,000 petition signatures asking Abbott to reject the measure. Critics argued that the industry—which employs an estimated 53,000 people—would be decimated if the measure became law.

Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Become a patron at Patreon!





Source link

mscannabiz.com
Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

Continue Reading
featured8 minutes ago

Klutch Cannabis Opening 5th Ohio Dispensary in Northfield

video55 minutes ago

Undercover video exposes illegal THC sales at North Texas vape shops

featured1 hour ago

Book Review: The Traveling Cannabis Writer’s Guide to America’s Hidden Gems

video2 hours ago

WKRN: marijuana reclassification impact

featured2 hours ago

Texas Senators Unanimously Pass Hemp THC Ban Bill Hours After Governor Convenes Second Special Session

video3 hours ago

New York’s cannabis agency allowed dispensaries to open too close to schools | Videos

featured3 hours ago

Texas, California Governors Collide Over Redistricting; Hemp Lies in the Crosshairs

featured4 hours ago

Texas Lawmakers Will Continue Pursuing Hemp Product Restrictions In Second Special Session

video5 hours ago

Over 2,000 plants uncovered at marijuana grow-op in Brantford

featured5 hours ago

Trucking Industry Group Is ‘Deeply Concerned’ About Marijuana Rescheduling’s Potential Impact On Drug Testing For Drivers

featured6 hours ago

The Best Late Summer Cocktails

featured7 hours ago

#1to3: The Social Media Campaign Urging Trump To Reschedule Cannabis — And How You Can Help

featured8 hours ago

Report Predicts Global Psychedelic Drugs Market Will Reach $22.6B by 2033

video10 hours ago

New York allowed pot shops to open too close to schools. Now they might have to move

featured10 hours ago

Medical Marijuana ‘Significantly’ Decreases Use Of Opioids By Chronic Pain Patients, New Study Finds

video11 hours ago

Trump signals push to finish Biden’s marijuana reform

featured11 hours ago

Senator Secures Half A Million Dollars For Research On Hemp, Calling It ‘One Of The Oldest And Most Versatile Crops In Agriculture’

video12 hours ago

Take in the open house celebration of the fifth Klutch Cannabis dispensary location in Ohio

featured12 hours ago

Trump’s MAGA base is torn over cannabis rescheduling (Newsletter: August 15, 2025)

Mississippi Cannabis News15 hours ago

Trump Might Reclassify Marijuana. He Should Do This Instead

video17 hours ago

OMMA says recent cannabis product retest is an immediate public health and safety risk | News

featured17 hours ago

From The Vault: DEAL for REAL (1978)

video18 hours ago

Court throws out part of New York’s marijuana licensing rules

featured19 hours ago

Marijuana Is A ‘Promising Treatment’ For Women Struggling To Achieve Orgasm, Scientific Review Shows

California Cannabis Updates1 year ago

Alert: Department of Cannabis Control updates data dashboards with full data for 2023 

Breaking News1 year ago

Connecticut Appoints The US’s First Cannabis Ombudsperson – Yes there is a pun in there and I’m Sure Erin Kirk Is Going To Hear It More Than Once!

best list1 year ago

5 best CBD creams of 2024 by Leafly

Business11 months ago

EU initiative begins bid to open access to psychedelic therapies

cbd1 year ago

New Study Analyzes the Effects of THCV, CBD on Weight Loss

Bay Smokes1 year ago

Free delta-9 gummies from Bay Smokes

autoflower seeds11 months ago

5 best autoflower seed banks of 2024 by Leafly

cannabis brands11 months ago

Discover New York’s dankest cannabis brands [September 2024]

Breaking News1 year ago

Curaleaf Start Process Of Getting Their Claws Into The UK’s National Health System – With Former MP (Resigned Today 30/5/24) As The Front Man

California1 year ago

May 2024 Leafly HighLight: Pink Runtz strain

Mississippi Cannabis News1 year ago

Mississippi city official pleads guilty to selling fake CBD products

Hemp1 year ago

Press Release: CANNRA Calls for Farm Bill to Clarify Existing State Authority to Regulate Hemp Products

Mississippi Cannabis News1 year ago

Local medical cannabis dispensary reacts to MSDH pulling Rapid Analytics License – WLBT

Mississippi Cannabis News1 year ago

Horn Lake denies cannabis dispensary request to allow sale of drug paraphernalia and Sunday sales | News

best list1 year ago

5 best THC drinks of 2024 by Leafly

Breaking News1 year ago

Nevada CCB to Accept Applications for Cannabis Establishments in White Pine County – “Only one cultivation and one production license will be awarded in White Pine County”

best list1 year ago

6 best CBD gummies of 2024 by Leafly

Arkansas11 months ago

The Daily Hit: October 2, 2024

best list1 year ago

5 best delta-9 THC gummies of 2024 by Leafly

Breaking News1 year ago

Weekly Update: Monday, May 13, 2024 including, New Guide for Renewals & May Board meeting application deadline

Breaking News1 year ago

PRESS RELEASE : Justice Department Submits Proposed Regulation to Reschedule Marijuana

Mississippi Cannabis News1 year ago

People In This State Googled ‘Medical Marijuana’ The Most, Study Shows

Asia Pacific & Australia1 year ago

Thailand: Pro-cannabis advocates rally ahead of the government’s plan to recriminalize the plant

best list12 months ago

5 best THCA flower of 2024 by Leafly

Trending