Cannabis technology company Weedmaps and rapper and cannabis entrepreneur Berner are planning to launch a social media platform on Marijuana.com, describing it as the “Instagram of Marijuana.”
Are you sick or being silenced ?? Have you lost your account for posting weed ?? Don’t worry … me & @weedmaps have something special in the works 💪🏽🌱 pic.twitter.com/y6FVACDmfg
— Berner (@berner415) November 10, 2021
Berner and Weedmaps recently re-announced the upcoming social media platform on Twitter. First announced in a 2014 press release, Weedmaps and Berner said that Meta-owned social media apps Facebook and Instagram have deleted cannabis-related accounts for policy violations. The network was supposed to launch in 2015 but that timeline was obviously delayed.
“Both social networks view cannabis as a ‘drug,’” the press release said, “and many marijuana businesses have lost valuable accounts and followers because of this crackdown.”
In a statement, Berner, the founder and owner of the Cookies cannabis brand, indicated his business accounts had been deleted from Instagram, which he cited as the impetus for the new cannabis-friendly social network.
“I was fortunate enough to get my account back but many other community members have not been so lucky,” he said in a statement. “This community is special to me and we believe in this plant and now Marijuana.com will unite and bring our people together.”
A new cannabis-friendly social platform is coming 🙌
Together with @berner415, we’re creating a space where cannabis brands, retailers, creators, and consumers alike can share and enjoy cannabis content more freely.
The grass will be greener over here. Stay tuned 🌿 pic.twitter.com/AFwiTzuG6c
— Weedmaps (@weedmaps) November 10, 2021
According to the release, Berner will serve as executive director for the new venture and as a brand ambassador for Weedmaps. The new social network will reportedly include a “Powered by Weedmaps.com” rating and review system for strains, shops, and dispensaries, and dispensaries, brands, artists, and consumers will be allowed to create free profiles and post cannabis-related content without fear of censorship.
Editor’s note 11/18/21: This article has been updated to improve clarity.
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