Overcoming Social Media Censorship in the Cannabis Industry: How Weedery World Is Providing a Solution
The cannabis industry is rapidly evolving, with new businesses, products, and research entering the market every day. Yet despite widespread legalization and increasing public acceptance, cannabis companies face significant challenges when it comes to promoting their work on mainstream social media platforms.
For many businesses, Instagram and Facebook have become critical tools for marketing and community engagement, especially since traditional advertising through television, radio, and print media is heavily restricted. But as these platforms tighten their policies on cannabis-related content, many brands are being left in the dark—literally. Accounts are being shadow banned, engagement throttled, and in some cases, entire pages deleted without warning.
At Weedery, we understand the frustrations these businesses face. That’s why we’ve created Weedery World, a dedicated platform for the cannabis community. In this article, we’ll explore the current state of social media censorship in the cannabis industry and how Weedery World is stepping in to provide a solution.
The Reality of Social Media Censorship
Social media censorship is nothing new for cannabis businesses, but in recent years, the situation has worsened. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook, owned by Meta, have implemented increasingly strict policies governing cannabis content.
Meta’s latest guidelines on “restricted goods and services,” updated in December 2023, expand restrictions to include cannabis-derived products and have led to a wave of account suspensions and shadow bans. Shadow banning is particularly insidious because it happens without formal notification, making it difficult for businesses to even realize they’ve been affected.
For example:
- CMS Gardens, a Rhode Island cannabis cultivator, lost visibility on one of its Instagram accounts after Meta’s policy update. To highlight the absurdity, the company created a video referencing “avocados” as a code word for cannabis.
- Budist, a California-based cannabis education platform, had its Instagram account suspended despite strictly adhering to Meta’s rules. While they were able to restore the account within two days, the experience highlighted how precarious social media platforms can be for even non-plant-touching businesses.
- Housing Works Cannabis Co., a licensed retailer in New York, received a vague message from Instagram about selling cannabis illegally—despite operating within legal and platform guidelines. As a result, their engagement has plummeted, disrupting their ability to connect with their 11,000 followers.
These examples are not isolated. Businesses large and small, plant-touching and ancillary alike, face these challenges. The cannabis industry’s reliance on social media has left many vulnerable to the whims of policy changes and enforcement algorithms.
The Cost of Compliance
To navigate these challenges, some businesses have turned to solutions like Meta Verified, which offers a blue checkmark for a monthly subscription fee of $14.99. While the blue checkmark provides access to customer support and outlines clearer content guidelines, it’s not a guaranteed safeguard. Others have sought help from brokers, paying anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 to have accounts reinstated after deletion.
Even when following these steps, businesses remain at the mercy of inconsistent enforcement and algorithmic decisions. For smaller companies and nonprofits, the cost of compliance is often too high, forcing them to find alternative ways to connect with their audiences.
A New Solution: Weedery World
Recognizing the challenges posed by mainstream social media platforms, Weedery created Weedery World to provide a cannabis-friendly alternative. Weedery World is more than just a social network—it’s a complete ecosystem designed to meet the unique needs of the cannabis community.
Here’s what makes Weedery World different:
1. A Safe Space for Cannabis Content
Unlike traditional platforms, Weedery World embraces cannabis culture. Businesses and individuals can share content freely without fear of shadow banning, content removal, or account suspension.
2. A Thriving Community
Weedery World connects a global network of growers, enthusiasts, and businesses, creating opportunities for collaboration, education, and support. By focusing on community-building, we help users grow their reach and influence in an authentic way.
3. Educational Resources
Our platform offers e-learning courses led by cannabis experts, helping users build their knowledge and skills. Whether you’re a grower looking to optimize your yield or a business owner navigating regulations, Weedery World has resources to support your journey.
4. Rewarded Engagement
We believe in rewarding active participation. Users can earn WDRY tokens for contributing to the community, turning their engagement into tangible benefits.
5. Content Control
With Weedery World, businesses can focus on creating meaningful content rather than worrying about censorship. This allows companies to share their stories, educate consumers, and build brand loyalty without navigating the opaque policies of traditional platforms.
Why Weedery World Matters
The cannabis industry deserves a platform that understands its needs. Weedery World isn’t just solving the problems of today—it’s building a foundation for the future of cannabis communication. By investing in a platform designed for this industry, businesses can reclaim control over their content and connect with audiences who are eager to engage.
For companies like Housing Works Cannabis Co., which relies heavily on social media to reach customers, Weedery World provides a lifeline. And for smaller businesses and nonprofits, it offers an affordable, reliable alternative to the costly and unpredictable world of mainstream social media.
The Future of Cannabis Communication
As social media platforms continue to restrict cannabis content, it’s clear that the industry needs new solutions. Weedery World is more than a platform—it’s a movement to empower businesses, foster community, and advance the cannabis industry.
Don’t let shadow bans and account suspensions hold you back. Join Weedery World today and discover a community where your voice matters.
Visit Weedery World to get started and take the first step toward redefining cannabis communication. Together, we can overcome the challenges of censorship and build a brighter future for the cannabis industry.
Responses