Navigating the Tricky World of Cannabis Social Media
Welcome to Cannabis Marketing Live. All Puff. No Fluff. Episode #002.
Overview
I’m Kendra Losee, the host of this all-new Facebook show, where we bring you the brightest, boldest, and badass people, ideas and technologies in the cannabis industry!
In this episode, you’ll learn:
→ Social media platforms and cannabis
→ Identifying your social media goals
→ Know what platform is right for your business (and your audience!)
Social Media Platforms and Cannabis Marketing
Which platforms have strict guidelines about cannabis on their sites based on their current Terms of Use and Community Guidelines? Let’s find out!
| Cannabis Friendly (Organic)?* | YouTube | Snapchat | |||||
| Strict | X | X | |||||
| Flexible | X | X | X | X | X |
*Before we get started, note that this assessment is strictly my opinion, based on each platform’s Terms of Use and Community Policies
We prohibit any attempts by private individuals to purchase, sell, or trade prescription drugs, marijuana, firearms or ammunition….
[More about firearms and ammunition, then back to…]
We do not allow you to use Facebook’s payment tools to sell or purchase regulated goods on our platform.
Terms of Use
You may not use the Service for any illegal or unauthorized purpose. You agree to comply with all laws, rules and regulations (for example, federal, state, local and provincial) applicable to your use of the Service and your Content (defined below), including but not limited to, copyright laws.
- We may, but have no obligation to, remove, edit, block, and/or monitor Content or accounts containing Content that we determine in our sole discretion violates these Terms of Use.
Community Guidelines
Follow the law.
Instagram is not a place to support or praise terrorism, organized crime, or hate groups. Offering sexual services, buying or selling firearms and illegal or prescription drugs (even if it’s legal in your region) is also not allowed. Remember to always follow the law when offering to sell or buy other regulated goods.
Terms of Use
You understand that by using the Services, you may be exposed to Content that might be offensive, harmful, inaccurate or otherwise inappropriate, or in some cases, postings that have been mislabeled or are otherwise deceptive.
All Content is the sole responsibility of the person who originated such Content.
Community Guidelines
Be Professional.
We ask our members to behave professionally by not being dishonest or inappropriate.
We acknowledge the value of discussions around professional activities, but we do not want you to use LinkedIn to shock or intimidate others.
It is not okay to share graphic images to shock others, and it is not okay to share obscene images or pornography on LinkedIn’s service.
YOUTUBE
Policies on harmful or dangerous content
While it might not seem fair to say you can’t show something because of what viewers might do in response, we draw the line at content that intends to incite violence or encourage dangerous or illegal activities that have an inherent risk of serious physical harm or death.
Videos that we consider to encourage dangerous or illegal activities include instructional bomb making, choking games, hard drug use, or other acts where serious injury may result. A video that depicts dangerous acts may be allowed if the primary purpose is educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic (EDSA), and it isn’t gratuitously graphic. For example, a news piece on the dangers of choking games would be appropriate, but posting clips out of context from the same documentary might not be.
Regulated goods are products that can cause harm to the owner or people around them when used incorrectly. Many countries have rules and regulations that apply to these types of products.
To keep you and our community safe, we don’t allow the private selling or buying of regulated goods like drugs, alcohol, tobacco, guns, or the sale of products from endangered species. If this sort of activity is reported to us, we’ll remove the content and may suspend the account owner.
Don’t do anything or post any content that violates laws or regulations.
A consistent landing page that matches what’s in the Pin.
Business Policies
You shall not post User Content that violates or encourages any conduct that violates laws or regulations, including but not limited to laws or regulations applicable to your line of business and laws or regulations applicable to advertising.
SNAPCHAT
Illegal Content
- Don’t use Snapchat for any illegal shenanigans.
CANNABIS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
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SOCIAL MEDIA GOALS
Example goals include:
- Number of followers
- Engagement (comments, likes, shares)
- Website analytics for social media referrals
- Purchases attributed to social media
- Leads from social media
- Clicks
- Video views
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CRITERIA FOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM SELECTION
- Your goals and objectives
- What channels are your target customers using?
- What channels are your competitors using?
- What kind of content do you want to create?
- What kind of content creation are you good at?
- Which platforms are more cannabis friendly?
- How much time/resources do you have to manage your social media?
If you have any questions or would like a social media audit for your business, connect with us!
