Meta’s Instagram Is The To-Go Platform For Illegal Weed Dealers, Here’s Why
Over these past several years, social media platforms have nabbed the number one spot for advertising. Why? Byenabling advertisers to reach amuch broader audience than TV and newspapers.
As such, its no surprise that some of these platforms have become theto-go place for illegal weed dealers. Yes, you read that correctly. It turns out thatmost of theseplatforms efforts to avoid illegal activities ontheir services remain futile. Well, maybe not completely useless but there are always loopholes, ideal for those eager to find them.
Apparently, a large part of illegal cannabis sales in New York take place onMeta Platforms'META Instagram,revealsBloomberg.
Just last week, the Empire Stateissuedthe first 36 conditional adult-use retail dispensary licenses, aiming to regulate and tax the industry,known for its booming illegal operations. New York is tryingto establishrules and regs similar to other states with legal programs whilefocusing on strict advertisinglimitations. Usually, these restrictions are similar to those adhered to bythe alcohol and tobacco industry, whichby law cannotfocus or appear to focuson minors.
Unfortunately, there'sone thinggiving these lawmakers a headache:the digital world. Reaching More People Through Instagram
For a while now, marijuana cultivators have been usingInstagram to advertise their products.
Meta is very good at getting themselves incorporated into peoples daily routines, Mike, a New York City cannabis growertold Bloomberg News. You reach more people through Instagram, said Mike whoasked to remain anonymous because he hasnt applied for a cannabis license yet.
The outlet noted that there are numerous sponsored posts and stores with marijuana clubs, cultivatorsand sellers, some of which include links to illegal vendors. After Bloomberg News uncovered a few cannabis ads, Meta said it would remove two pages over policy violations, but the posts remained online.
We prohibit content both in ads and organically on pages that promotes the buying and selling of drugs, including marijuana, and remove it whenever we find it, saidRachel Hamrick, a Meta spokesperson.
According to the company, cannabis content is forbidden on Instagram, with its restricted goods policy banning content that markets cannabis, tobaccoand e-cigarettes.
So, how do these experienced pot dealers bypassthestrict rulesand end up promoting their goods to a young audienceon the platform?
Some use disclaimers saying cannabis is not for sale thoughat the same time theyincludelinks totheir accounts on an external page or include a phone number.Some provide backuppages or second accounts where followers can gather if the main page gets closed down.
Ive already been taken down like about three times, says Phil, who also asked to remain anonymous because he has no license and hasn't yetapplied. Phil runs a marijuana delivery service that relies on Instagramto reach new customers.
Whatother social media platforms are weed dealers using? According to Bloomberg, other sites that have become popular for illegal cannabis operations includeSnapchat, Discord, Telegramand upstarts likeWeedTubeandSocial Club. Why Is InstagramThe Best Choice For Illegal Pot Sales?
Instagram is more appealing due to the audience that regularly uses it, which is mostlylate teens and young adults.
The formula is simple, with71%of people between 18 and 29 using Instagramand nearly 35% of that group also consumingmarijuana (as per 2020 data from theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration),Instagram is the ideal platform for reaching thistargeted audience.
Photo: Benzinga edit fromAlexander Shatovand GRAS GRN on Unsplash