February 16, 2023

Twitter to Allow Cannabis Ads in the US

By Shirvan Williams

Twitter is expected to soon allow cannabis ads in the U.S. Another move orchestrated by Elon Musk since taking over the social media site. The company announced its new approach in a tweet proclaiming, “We’re turning over a new leaf.”

“Going forward, Twitter is allowing advertisers to promote brand preference and informational cannabis-related content for CBD, THC, and cannabis-related products and services,” wrote Twitter’s Alexa Alianiello on the company’s website Wednesday.

With the relaxation of Twitter’s rules, CBD companies can run ads on Twitter to promote their brands but not to sell marijuana.

“Advertisers may not promote or offer the sale of Cannabis (including CBD-cannabinoids),” the new rules read. “Exception: Ads for topical (noningestible) hemp-derived CBD topical products containing equal to or less than the 0.3% THC government-set threshold.”

Other limitations on the ads include restrictions preventing advertisers from targeting children and only letting advertisers appeal to people in jurisdictions where the advertisers are licensed to operate. Twitter’s shifting ad rules arrive as the company says the conversation surrounding marijuana online is growing.

“As the cannabis industry has expanded, so too has the conversation on Twitter,” Ms. Alianiello wrote. “In the U.S. — one of the most influential markets for cannabis — it is larger than the conversation around topics such as pets, cooking and golf, as well as food and beverage categories including fast food, coffee and liquor.”

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