Apple’s decision to allow selected cannabis brands in the App Store signals increasing acceptance of the emerging legal market

By Andrew Ward

As first reported by TechCrunch and WeedWeek, the lingering conundrum between cannabis and technology took its final turn last month when Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has updated its guidelines to allow pot-centric apps in its store.

As part of its new policy, Apple has created a leeway that enables “licensed and otherwise legal cannabis dispensaries” to work with Apple. Businesses must also have geofencing in place to qualify for the store listing.

Photo by Joanna Malinowska via freestocks.org

The decision was not a cannabis-specific decision by Apple. Instead, the move came as part of the company’s attempt to restrict fraudulent apps that defraud consumers across the market.

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Alphabet Inc. Class A (NASDAQ: Googl), which announced its ban on cannabis apps in 2019, continues to adhere to its policies regarding its Google Play Store.

The decision is made as tech giants continue to manipulate cannabis apps and accounts in often unclear ways.

Social media platforms, including Common stock of Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) and its other dominant social media app, Instagram, continue to allow cannabis brands to enroll. However, over the years, numerous accounts have reported being deleted, suspended, or banned.

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Mary Pryor, the co-founder of the cannabis advocacy platform CannaklusivShe successfully advertised on Instagram to restore her company’s account after being banned for several days in June.

Photo by ROBIN WORRALL via Unsplash

Pryor, member of Jay-Z’s Equity Advisory Board TPCO Holding Corp (OTC: GRAMF) called Apple’s decision groundbreaking, noting that it coincided with discussions that were also gradually taking place at the federal level.

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She encourages Google, Facebook and other tech giants to “learn from Apple” and its decision.

Speaking of industry and advocacy efforts, Pryor said, “We should expect Facebook and Instagram to find out. We may need to do more to encourage and inform them. “

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.