top of page
SA Landraces with Cannabis Plants. and species-min.png

CANNABIS INDUSTRY 

BREAKING  NEWS

World’s Richest Stoner Makes Twitter More Open to Cannabis Advertising

World’s Richest Stoner Makes Twitter More Open to Cannabis Advertising

South Africa’smost famous export, Elon Musk, takes his cannabis friendliness to the next level as Twitter pitches itself as a home for cannabis ads, breaking away from the social media norm. The cutting edge entrepreneur has long been considered cannabis-friendly for his many 420 jokes and for famously being videotaped during a podcast while smoking a spliff.

Vern Kopytoff, Forbes Magazine

17 February 2023 at 12:00:00

This report from Fortune Magazine, 16 February 2023.


Now, just months after buying Twitter for $44 bilion, South African-born Elon Musk has taken his biggest step yet in support of the cannabis industry by opening his social media service more widely to cannabis ads—beyond that any rival platform.


On Wednesday, 15 February 2023, Twitter updated its ad policies to allow licensed cannabis-related companies to run ads—with many restrictions—in states where the ads are legal.

“As of today, in certain US states we have taken measures to relax our Cannabis Ads policy to create more opportunities for responsible cannabis marketing – the largest step forward by any social media platform,” Alexa Alianiello, who handles U.S. ad sales and partnerships for Twitter, said in a blog post.

Twitter’s greater embrace of cannabis ads is a major departure from other major social media companies like Facebook-parent Meta, which have long banned such ads. The closest Meta comes is allowing cannabis ads are for political campaigns and elections, and they must come with a disclaimer, including who paid for the marketing messages.


Twitter’s more lax rules come as more states legalize cannabis sales. Recreational cannabis use is currently legal in 21 states; it remains illegal on the federal level. Twitter’s decision also comes as the cannabis industry faces severe economic turbulence that is pummeling the stock prices of many publicly traded businesses and causing others to fail.


Many cannabis companies, including retail stores and wholesalers, are suffering due to competition from illegal sellers and the high cost of doing business.


Still, the impact of Twitter’s policy change is unclear. The new rules come with restrictions that significantly limit the kinds of ads allowed to the point that most ads for most cannabis products are still banned on the service.


For example, advertisers cannot “promote or offer the sale of Cannabis (including CBD– cannabinoids).” An exception is for topical, or non-ingestible, hemp-derived CBD topical products “containing equal to or less than the 0.3% THC government-set threshold.”


Alianiello hinted as much in her blog post by citing examples of cannabis ads that are more general. “Going forward, Twitter is allowing advertisers to promote brand preference and informational cannabis-related content for CBD, THC, and cannabis-related products and services,” she wrote.

Ads for cannabis delivery services and accessories like vaping pens appear to be permitted under the new rules.


Additionally, under Twitter’s new rules, cannabis ads cannot target anyone under 21, show people using cannabis products, or feature people who are intoxicated. Marketers are also barred from claiming any health benefits or including celebrities or sports figures in their messages.

Finally, to advertise, companies must go through a Twitter verification process and be approved. It’s unclear how long that process will take.


Nevertheless, Alianiello pitched Twitter as a safe space for its regular users to tweet about cannabis and discuss the topic with others. She also revealed how Twitter users tweet more about cannabis, as a topic, than some others that should be well-familiar to anyone who has a Twitter account.


“As the cannabis industry has expanded, so too has the conversation on Twitter. In the US – one of the most influential markets for cannabis – it is larger than the conversation around topics such as pets, cooking, and golf1, as well as food and beverage categories including fast food, coffee, and liquor,” Alianiello said.


She continued: “The cannabis space on Twitter is fun and engaging with users Tweeting about their experiences using cannabis – whether medicinally, for wellness, or recreation – as well as recommending brands, products, and retail locations. The conversation also reflects where the cannabis industry is currently heading: legislative/policy reform, business development, and community impact.”


#

Cannabiz Africa's Brett Hilton-Barber Q&A with Hemporium's Shane Tinkler

Retail Hemp Comes of Age as Hemporium Opens Flagship Store in Cape Town

Cannabiz Africa's Brett Hilton-Barber Q&A with Hemporium's Shane Tinkler

Breaking New Frontiers: Afriplex Unveils Process to Turn Cannabinoids into Non-Cannabis Catalysts For Industrial Applications

US expert says SA legal firm have the depth of experience to help Africa move towards new cannabis regulations

South African Law Firms Well Poised to Ride the Wave of African Cannabis Legalization

US expert says SA legal firm have the depth of experience to help Africa move towards new cannabis regulations

5.cannabiz-africa Hemp -min.png

Cannabis in South Africa: The People’s Plant

We are a civil society organisation with the interests of the existing Cannabis industry and the Human Rights of ALL citizens at heart.

WE’RE BRINGING A NEW STANDARD

We are more than just a cannabis retail company. We are about a lifestyle that promotes vitality, balance & good health.

Resources & Equipment

Explore cannabis growing equipment for growing weed at home. 

Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re looking to enhance your outdoor or indoor weed grow setup – we have the perfect range of cannabis growing equipment to match your marijuana growing ambitions. 

Find everything from LED grow lights, grow tents, fans, and hydroponic setups, to environmental equipment and controls, harvesting accessories, extraction equipment and plenty more. 

Design your ideal cannabis growing setup with high quality growing equipment available in South Africa. 

Explore cannabis growing equipment we’ve curated from reliable online suppliers in South Africa

Cannabiz Africa Newsline

The Business Of Cannabis

Coming Fresh every Week.

Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week!

Thanks for subscribing!

bottom of page