Weedmaps Pulls Unlicensed Michigan Cannabis Businesses

Weedmaps is no longer allowing Michigan cannabis businesses without a state-issued license number to advertise on the site and has pulled all ads and listings from unlicensed operators, according to an MLive report. Marijuana Regulatory Agency Director Andrew Brisbo said the agency had been advocating for the company to “change their approach for the last two years.”

“As a prominent platform in the industry, it is critical that they are a good partner with regulators in promoting the licensed industry as the safest option for consumers. We applaud them taking this action.” – Brisbo, to MLive

Weedmaps spokesman Carl Fillichio told MLive that the company began removing unverified advertisers on December 31 and had created an option for users to “flag” potentially unlicensed dispensaries on the app.

Last August the company announced a nation-wide policy prohibiting unlicensed businesses from advertising or being listed on the site. A report in January indicated Weedmaps had removed 2,700 unlicensed California dispensaries from the site – a figure that was disputed by a company representative who declined to provide a different sum as the company considers its information proprietary.

MLive confirmed that the businesses currently listed on Weedmaps held a valid medical or recreational cannabis license.

Weedmaps Vice President Bridget Hennessey said the company would only allow licensed businesses as part of their “ongoing effort to lead the technology industry in providing the most current, comprehensive and accurate online listing of medical and adult-use cannabis businesses.”