Meta’s Marijuana Problem: The Fight for Cannabis on FaceBook!

OMNI Medical

Jan 143 min read

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, recently announced sweeping updates to its content moderation policies under the banner of “free expression.” Yet, despite these changes, restrictions on cannabis-related content remain firmly in place. This decision continues to frustrate medical cannabis patients, advocates, and businesses who rely on these platforms for education, advocacy, and connection.

Searches for terms like “marijuana” or “cannabis” yield no results, instead prompting users to report “drug sales.”

Social Cannabis Equality: What’s Happening at Meta?

Meta’s updated policies include a shift away from automated content moderation to a “community notes” model, allowing users to flag questionable content. They also promise to ease restrictions on politically charged topics like immigration and gender identity. However, when it comes to cannabis, the platform maintains its hardline stance, grouping it with “illegal and high-severity violations” such as terrorism and fraud.

Here’s how cannabis content is still being restricted:

Search Filters: Searches for terms like “marijuana” or “cannabis” yield no results, instead prompting users to report “drug sales.”
Shadow Banning: Accounts focusing on cannabis education, advocacy, or public health initiatives often find their content flagged or deboosted, drastically limiting reach.
Discriminatory Practices: Cannabis-related posts are flagged even when they comply with Meta’s guidelines, while alcohol and tobacco content faces no such restrictions.

Voices from the Cannabis Community

Medical cannabis patients, content creators, and even government agencies have raised concerns about these policies:

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission: The agency highlighted how shadow banning prevents critical public health campaigns from reaching their audience.
Brian “Box” Brown, Cannabis Cartoonist: Brown’s work has been flagged repeatedly for merely mentioning cannabis, stifling his creative outreach.
NORML Advocacy Group: Advocates argue that these restrictions undermine efforts to educate the public about cannabis policy and harm reduction.

How Does This Impact Medical Cannabis Patients?

The ongoing restrictions create significant challenges for patients who rely on social media for:

Accessing critical information about medical cannabis use and safety.
Discovering legal cannabis products or dispensaries.
Learning about advocacy and policy updates in their area.

For patients in states like Florida, where medical cannabis is legal, these limitations feel like a double standard. Advocacy groups continue to push for a level playing field, especially as cannabis becomes an integral part of health and wellness for millions. David Koyle, CEO OMNI Medical Services

What’s Next for Cannabis Content on Social Media?

While Meta has yet to clarify whether these policies will evolve, other platforms are making strides toward cannabis inclusion:

Twitter (X): Updated its advertising policy to allow certified cannabis ads.
Apple App Store: Now permits cannabis businesses to operate on its platform.
Google: Allows promotion of FDA-approved CBD products under strict guidelines.

These steps highlight the growing recognition of cannabis as a legitimate industry and its importance in public discourse.

What Can Patients Do?

If you’re a medical cannabis patient navigating these restrictions, here’s how you can stay informed:

Follow trusted organizations like NORML or Marijuana Policy Project.
Subscribe to newsletters like OMNI Medical’s for accurate, up-to-date cannabis news.
Support advocacy groups fighting for better representation on social media.

Call to Action

At OMNI Medical, we’re dedicated to empowering medical cannabis patients with the information and resources they need. Whether you’re renewing your card or seeking clarity on cannabis policies, we’re here for you.