Meta’s Content Moderation Changes Leaves Cannabis Policies Untouched
The company seems reluctant to improve the guidelines on cannabis-related content.
Words by Damian Nicholas | 3 Minute Read
BLOOMBERG NEWS. GETTY IMAGES
Disclaimer: It is worth noting that Frasspot uses Instagram and Facebook, the subsidiaries of Meta for marketing purposes.
Meta—the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads—seems to be maintaining a hardline stance on cannabis-related discourse. Despite a broader initiative to relax restrictions on various topics often embroiled in political debate, the company continues to block search results for terms like “marijuana” and “cannabis,” simultaneously prompting users to report suspected drug sales.
During a press conference in January, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg detailed a series of reforms aimed at enhancing user engagement and community responsibility. The new approach pivots away from traditional third-party fact-checking methods towards a community-driven model, which places the onus on users to flag questionable content. This shift, Zuckerberg explained, is intended to allow for a more open dialogue on issues such as immigration and gender identity, which typically stir controversy.
As a media company, navigating content moderation on social media for cannabis has its challenges. Strict guidelines often lead to the suppression of legitimate marketing efforts, making it difficult for us and businesses like Weedmaps or Leafly—to reach their target audience. This not only hinders brand visibility but also restricts education about cannabis products and responsible consumption.— Damian Nicholas. Editor-In-Chief. Frasspot
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Despite these bold declarations, the cannabis community feels the newly branded commitment to free expression does not extend to them. For many stakeholders—including medical marijuana patients, content creators, and even government agencies—the ongoing suppression of cannabis-related content appears inconsistent with Meta's promises of more open dialogue.
We will allow more speech by lifting restrictions on some topics that are part of mainstream discourse. Up until now, we have been using automated systems to scan for all policy violations, but this has resulted in too many mistakes and too much content being censored that shouldn’t have been.
Mark Zuckerberg. Computer Programer & Co-Founder of Meta.
The lack of clarity surrounding Meta's new policies is concerning. While the company emphasizes a commitment to tackling high-severity violations like terrorism, fraud, and drug-related offenses, there remain few assurances about the treatment of lower-severity cases involving cannabis. The only reference to drug content in the new policy framework suggests a continued focus on policing drug-related discourse without clear guidelines on enforcement.
The ongoing restrictions come at a time when studies reflect a decline in teenage marijuana use in states like Washington, where cannabis use has been legalized. This trend underscores a shifting societal perspective on marijuana, one that Meta seems reluctant to align with.
Mar 07, 2025
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