Top Tips For Building A Cannabis Business Social Network

Cannabis Business Social Network has proven successful for traditional retail firms. Meanwhile, accounts that are restricted, banned, or “shadow-banned” by the same mainstream social media platforms are a common issue for cannabis businesses.

Fortunately, several dispensaries have successfully “hacked” cannabis social media marketing to get past limitations and use the most cannabis-friendly platforms.

What are Cannabis Business Social Networks?

Social media platforms for cannabis companies, customers, and other industry experts are known as cannabis business social networks. They offer a stimulating and secure environment for conversation and networking. Since marijuana is not recognized as legal by federal law, popular social media networks do not permit content about marijuana.

This kind of issue does not exist in cannabis social networks. In these areas, cannabis business participants are free to share content to raise brand recognition without following the rigid rules established by popular social media platforms.

Why do Some Weed Social Media Platforms Restrict Cannabis Content?

Weed social media firms use community rules to control content on their platforms. Many popular websites have policies against selling or promoting illegal drugs.

Cannabis social media is classified as a Schedule I substance, which puts it on par with strong substances like cocaine and heroin. Though legal in most states, several of the biggest social media platforms continue to handle content about cannabis as though it’s endorsing a drug that’s prohibited by federal law.

Currently, many social media platforms severely prohibit anything connected to cannabis, but things are changing, and cannabis social marketers are becoming more astute.

Important Reasons to Maintain Accounts on Cannabis Business Social Network

• Facebook

The designation of cannabis as a Schedule I restricted narcotic at the federal level raises legal complexity and uncertainty, leading to tougher regulations from social media companies like Facebook. Facebook has established limits that impose limitations on cannabis-related content and marketing due to federal regulations around the drug. Details of the current policy indicate that:

• Commercials may not advertise or offer to sell cannabis products with psychoactive components connected to THC. It includes both organic content and sponsored ads.
• Advertisements are prohibited from endorsing or selling edible CBD hemp products. Advertisements for topical CBD products are permitted, though.

The information also states, “Ads may not, at Meta’s sole discretion, promote the sale or use of illegal or recreational drugs, or other hazardous substances, products, or supplements.”

Facebook might not be the best medium for cannabis businesses, but it can still be a useful resource for expanding your brand online. People anticipate credible businesses having a Facebook profile since they frequently use the platform to search for businesses. If cannabis businesses want to build a successful Facebook page, they must adhere to Facebook’s advertising standards, engage with their audience, and post worthwhile, educational content.

Staying away from direct cannabis product advertising or sales is essential for Facebook brand marketing success. You can use Facebook more successfully if you collaborate with a cannabis marketing company to assist you in managing the social media platform’s cannabis-related policies.

• LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the friendliest of the main social media networks because it doesn’t filter material. Additionally, it is the world’s largest business database. Among the suggestions for organic posts are:

• Distributing thought-provoking articles, ideas, and information on cannabis
• Emphasize your staff
• Promote interaction with comments and likes
• Utilize page invites to expand your business page. (Every month, you receive 100 invites)

 

• Instagram

Instagram’s visual format and sizable user base make it an excellent social media platform for marketers interacting directly with consumers. Instagram must follow the law in nations where cannabis is prohibited, though, because it is a worldwide platform. The platform aims to uphold a policy that fosters safety for its varied user base while also conforming to the various regulatory frameworks in various jurisdictions. No matter the state or nation of the seller, the website “doesn’t allow people or organizations to use the forum for advertising or selling marijuana,” per its policies.

Instagram’s stringent terms of service and the app’s ability to completely delete accounts that violate them demonstrate the company’s dedication to abiding by the law and averting possible legal repercussions. The website is infamous for employing “shadowbans,” which prevent other users from seeing a user’s postings and comments. Although shadowbanned accounts won’t be notified, they should anticipate a sharp decline in page interactions and a reduced ability to be found by potential new followers.

Although difficult, producing excellent material that complies with Instagram’s stringent requirements is not impossible. Instagram’s guidelines for cannabis-related advertising and content might change quickly. Collaborating with other cannabis-related accounts and employing influencer marketing might also be an effective tactic to increase visibility and interaction on Instagram.

• Twitter

Twitter is now the only cannabis social media platform that expressly permits any form of paid cannabis promotion, thanks to recent amendments to its cannabis advertising policy. The latest modifications permit businesses that have obtained the necessary permits and cleared Twitter’s approval procedure to promote cannabis, hemp, and CBD goods on the platform, provided that they are not endorsing or selling these products. Companies are, therefore, free to conduct campaigns that promote the brand and its main locations, provided that they aren’t making a sales pitch, even though they aren’t allowed to create advertisements urging followers to purchase specific products or link to their menu.

• Twitter’s laxer restrictions reflect the shifting legal climate.
• Shifting social norms.
• Lobbying initiatives within the cannabis industry.

They also foster an atmosphere that facilitates more visibility. The platform can also help you build your brand as a thought leader, offer commentary on market trends, and interact with customers and other companies.

It is crucial to remember that, despite possible changes to Twitter’s cannabis restrictions, successful participation on the network necessitates a well-defined strategy and social marketing campaign. Engaging with a seasoned marketing firm can assist your company in creating a purposeful social media strategy adapted to Twitter’s particular setting.

• Reddit

Reddit’s content policy prohibits certain goods, including “Drugs, including tobacco and alcohol, or any controlled substances (except advertisements placed by the platform’s advertising policy).” The rule reads, “Keep it legal, and avoid posting illegal content or soliciting or facilitating illegal or prohibition transactions.” Reddit’s terms of service do not specifically mention cannabis or recreational drugs.

Since these guidelines are in place, people can publish anything on Reddit. However, the platform will remove any material for buying or selling cannabis goods. 

It’s also critical to remember that Reddit comprises numerous subreddits or communities, each with its guidelines. Although conversations about cannabis might be allowed in some subreddits, they might not be allowed in others. Evaluating and abiding by each community’s rules is essential to guarantee appropriate and compliant conversation. On Reddit, there are hundreds or perhaps thousands of communities devoted to the wellness and lifestyle of cannabis users.

• TikTok

TikTok, owned by the Chinese business ByteDance, expressly prohibits any content about cannabis. It’s important to remember that Chinese rules about cannabis are far stricter than American ones. Because the platform also appeals to a younger audience in general, the following is prohibited by its community guidelines:

• Content that gives instructions to minors on how to purchase, sell, or trade alcohol, tobacco products, or restricted substances. Content that illustrates, mimics, or encourages the possession or use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco by a minor
• Anything that shows or encourages risky behavior for young people, such as dares, stunts, or physical challenges

Even though TikTok has some of the strictest policies when it comes to cannabis content, there are lots of inventive methods to develop your brand while abiding by the rules. Rather than emphasizing the plant, produce material showcasing culture and lifestyle. For instance, this may involve dispelling “stoner stereotypes” through instructional films or by sharing recipes for products infused with cannabis.

Working with a marketing agency familiar with TikTok is essential to successfully posting cannabis-related material there. Otherwise, you risk suspending your account and losing all of the hard-earned followers you have amassed.

• YouTube

Although “content that encourages hazardous or illegal activities that risk severe physical harm or death” is prohibited by YouTube’s rigorous guidelines, the platform loosened some of these limitations in 2021. According to the update, the platform will be broadening its monetization for content that features “non-graphic, objective discussions of controversial issues in the video,” as well as expanding it for educational, documentary, or news content that may include “recreational drugs and drug-related content, or sensitive events.” YouTube has a lot of promise for providing instructional and informative cannabis content, even though it’s not flawless.

Still, YouTube maintains its tight policies around advertising. Although advertisements for topical hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products that are less than 0.3% are permitted on the platform, the following are expressly forbidden under YouTube’s advertising policy:

• Advertisements for drugs that cause “highs” or change the mood for recreational purposes (such as heroin, crystal meth, cannabis, cocaine, and other illegal opioids)
• Advertisements for goods or services that are positioned as making it easier to consume drugs recreationally (e.g., pipes, bongs, cannabis coffee shops)
• Advertisements for educational materials regarding growing, buying, or consuming drugs recreationally (such as forums where users can share advice or suggestions about growing cannabis)
• GrassCity

One of the first cannabis-focused internet communities, Grasscity, started as a discussion board for marijuana farmers. It has grown over time to encompass specialized discussion boards for topics including smoking, alternative forms of use, legalization, locating dispensaries, and much more.

Visit this page to find the most recent information on cannabis-related news. You can also browse years’ worth of archives to understand how cannabis culture has evolved. Search the dispensary directory for nearby legal cannabis and the best seed banks.

• WeedLife Network

Despite being relatively new—it launched in 2013—WeedLife Network is a platform worth considering because it is part of a network that includes over 40 websites. Through the social network news feed, you can view the most recent content from marijuana-related businesses, interact with others in discussion forums, and view the videos and photographs uploaded by other users. Like-minded cannabis enthusiasts can connect through fan pages, groups, and social media marketing opportunities to discuss common interests. This outreach extends to 120 countries globally.

WeedLife is a social media networking site mainly used by customers, but more and more companies are starting to set up shop there as well. Before you begin, you must decide between a personal and corporate profile. It is permitted for business users to advertise their goods and list their dispensaries in the WeedLife directory. Also, you can highlight your most recent promotions.

• Weedable

With a mobile app that pushes notifications to your device, this social network makes networking easy when you’re on the road. In addition to the ease of internet purchase, cannabis enthusiasts can build profiles to encourage interaction among themselves. Weedable enables company owners to establish personal ties with clients and social media users to follow their favorite businesses. It also works as an online water cooler to bring together all the newest news influencing the weed-loving community.

• MassRoots

Initially started as a social networking platform to unite college students who used cannabis, MassRoots was among the first of its kind to attract the attention of investors and go public. MassRoots faced some early hurdles when the Apple program Store declined to carry its program. Still, after some modification of its application, it’s now unrestricted on both the iOS and Android platforms. Although it’s only accessible in states where cannabis usage is permitted, more than a million people currently use it despite this limitation.

Given the website and app’s popularity, it makes sense that dispensaries and other cannabis-related companies appear on them. Promoting and registering a business is simple. One of the more alluring cannabis company social media networks is MassRoots, which offers access to client statistics, enabling you to modify your marketing and promotions when your dispensary is listed on the site.

Companies also gain because the platform asks users to review and rank cannabis brands and other relevant products rather than offering forums for consumers to interact. Consider its review features to be similar to Yelp for cannabis. The website also draws users in with a rewards program that offers movie and concert tickets, festival admission cards, and other benefits.

Users find MassRoots appealing because of its privacy policy, among other things. While many social networks demand contact details, MassRoots takes extra precautions to safeguard users’ privacy.

• Duby

Duby was established as a social media site where marijuana enthusiasts could interact and publish without fear of repercussions back when the drug was outlawed almost everywhere. With a dash of Instagram and Tinder thrown in, it has now evolved from an online forum to an app that links hundreds of thousands of cannabis enthusiasts. It has also been highlighted in numerous print and broadcast pieces in the mainstream media.

Videos and stories allow users to easily interact, network, and even find dates. Although Duby isn’t meant to be a business social network, there are still many opportunities for companies with a cannabis theme to advertise their goods and establish connections with customers.

• LeafWire

Many have compared this cannabis business network to LinkedIn because of its polished atmosphere. Its main objective is to link investors with cannabis-related companies, promoting the expansion of this $25 billion sector. LeafWire aims to link entrepreneurs and investors, whether they seek the other way around.

Businesses in the cannabis market have had difficulty attracting investor interest until recently, partly due to the industry’s associated stigma and uncertainties. Many potential investors recognize the industry’s development potential as legalization expands and the stigma lifts, but they may need to learn how to contact companies seeking finance. LeafWire has established that link.

Additionally, LeafWire assists companies in the cannabis industry find skilled workers, just like LinkedIn does. It acts as a networking center to bring industry professionals together to discuss the newest developments in the medical and recreational marijuana areas, trends, methods, and news.

Since social chatter isn’t LeafWire’s aim, new users can only sign up as field professionals or accredited investors. Job seekers should visit the LeafWire marketplace to post their services.

• JointBudz

Because it concentrates on medical marijuana, this relatively new cannabis company platform is a little more specialized than most. JointBudz is an excellent resource for a wealth of knowledge regarding the medical applications of cannabis, including articles about cultivating cannabis and other lifestyle-related subjects.

• WeedMaps

The name of this website should tell you that its main goal is to assist cannabis users in locating nearby shops and dispensaries. It makes it a destination for cannabis pharmacies in terms of SEO, as they will undoubtedly want to be present on this app that caters to a sizable online audience. In expansion to offering discounts and promotions, the platform allows dispensaries to set up online ordering.

However, the social network provides more than simply maps. In addition, users can publish photographs and thoughts, and you may read evaluations of various brands and strains.

• BudHubz

BudHubz is the antiquated Foursquare of the cannabis social network sector if LeafWire is its LinkedIn. When users connect with their online “buds,” they can receive suggestions for dispensaries, cannabis products, physicians, headshops, and more. As of early 2020, BudHubz is still in the beta stage of its launch, but it’s a promising cannabis social media network that meets a critical demand.

• MJ Mary Jane

In the world of cannabis social media, MJ Mary Jane is Pinterest, LeafWire is LinkedIn, and BudHubz is Foursquare. Come here to see or share amazing pictures of cannabis users, farmers, and other enthusiasts. You can follow and rate other users on the site and save your favorites. Search for MJ Mary Jane on both Android and iOS.

• MJ Link

With $1.7 million in early funding from investors, this cannabis social media network will likely last a long time. Combining it with the social WeedLife increases this commercial platform’s reach to about 3 million monthly users.

Who appears on MJLink? Look to connect with vendors, marketers, producers, lawyers, product manufacturers, and many other cannabis entrepreneurs on this professional-only platform. Regardless of your professional connection to the cannabis sector, it’s becoming increasingly important to be active on this social network. You can network through videos, news feeds, and directory listings when you create a profile. To further expand its reach, the WeedLife and MJLink team also runs the HempTalk forum.

• 420 Singles

Who is visible on MJLink? Look to connect with vendors, marketers, producers, lawyers, product manufacturers, and many other cannabis entrepreneurs on this professional-only platform. It’s getting more and more crucial to be active on this social network, regardless of your professional relationship with the cannabis industry. Once you create a profile, you may network through news feeds, videos, and directory listings. The HempTalk forum is also managed by the WeedLife and MJLink staff to broaden its appeal further.

• 420 Magazine Forum

Indeed, 420 Magazine is a traditional print media source, but it also exists online and features a well-liked forum area that resembles a social media network. Visit this page to participate in a fairly in-depth debate regarding growing methods and approaches. You may also get into political conversations regarding marijuana here, including the most recent legalizations and legislation, rules, and policies that may impact your business or personal enjoyment. There are thousands of active members, so you should be able to find some nice contacts and have your questions answered.

• High There

Indeed, there are multiple Tinder accounts in the cannabis community. Tinder employs the swipe left or right method, similar to 420 Singles and Tinder. It enables you to interact with other cannabis enthusiasts who may be searching for a hookup, a new pal, or just someone to smoke with. The software is exclusive to the Android and iOS operating methods and may be downloaded for gratis from the Apple App and Google Play stores.

• Weed Circles

Alright, to continue drawing comparisons between cannabis-related social networking and conventional social media, Weed Circles is Google+ with a hint of LinkedIn thrown in for good measure. Weed Circles is primarily a social network for cannabis businesses. It is home to circles of growers, vendors, dispensary operators, and other cannabis industry owners. Growing your followers list and promoting your business are simple tasks here. Sign up for the group-focused social network for free. If it seems like the WeedLife website, that’s because WeedLife owns it.

• CannaSOS

This social media platform is highly recommended, with over 400,000 users per month. One of the site’s main attractions is the CannaSOS database, which offers thorough details on thousands of cannabis strains and extracts, including the THC concentration information you need and more. Cannabis social media on their internal display network can also use this data.

To acquire answers to specific inquiries concerning cultivating and selling cannabis, you can also get in touch with experts in the field. CannaSOS is a fantastic resource for cannabis product reviews in addition to this data.

• KushCommon

Kushcommon is one of the rare invite-only social media sites. Its global reach is centered on fostering connections among its users via blog entries, music, videos, and other online cannabis industry content. Members also evaluate strains, suppliers, sources, and goods individually. To join, enter your email address in this field.

• Smoke Network

This social media site powered by blockchain started as a Facebook group frequently removed without notice. One feature that sets Smoke Network apart from other cannabis-related social networking platforms is its rewards program, which pays out in cryptocurrency. Posts receive very little cryptocurrency when they are liked or upvoted. This decentralized social media platform guarantees its members the highest level of anonymity because it is a blockchain website.

General Social Media Tips for all Platforms

While specific strategies are needed for each social media network, dispensaries may apply general advice to all of them.

General Tips:

• Invite feedback. Posts with open-ended questions or polls will draw more attention from readers.
• Participate in comments with your followers. Always reply cheerfully and “on-brand” to remarks.
• Join forces with influential people. Not only do these people have a sizable following, but they are experts in cannabis social media. They will know how to post cannabis-related stuff on social media while avoiding the rules.
• Maintain a regular posting schedule. Use a post scheduler or calendar to space out your posts so that people aren’t inattentive to your excessive posting.
• Use social media platforms to assist customers. Respond to clients’ inquiries and concerns in direct messages and comments.

Make the Most of Your Marketing 

Even though cannabis social media can be an effective tool for connecting with and reaching your target market, any business, especially those in the cannabis industry, may struggle to navigate the always-shifting landscape. RSO Oil and CannaContent fills that need. Our strategic social media management and customized content help businesses launch their online presence, engage with their target market, and meet their trade objectives. Contact us to learn how CannaContent can support your company’s online and offline growth.

Conclusion:

>Building a strong social network for your cannabis business is essential for growing your brand, expanding your industry connections, and staying competitive in this rapidly evolving market. Whether a startup or an established business, having the right network can open doors to collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities to elevate your business to the next level.

Top Tips for Building a Cannabis Business Social Network: Choose the right platforms tailored to the cannabis industry. Networking on niche cannabis-focused social platforms allows you to make connections with prospective partners and like-minded professionals. Second, engage consistently by sharing valuable content, attending virtual and in-person events, and actively participating in discussions. Third, prioritize building authentic relationships. Networking is about giving as much as receiving, so offer support and advice to others in the community. Finally, always stay informed about legal regulations and industry trends. This not only ensures your business remains compliant but also instills a sense of confidence and security in your operations in the cannabis sector.

By following these tips and investing time in your cannabis business’s social network, you’ll be well-positioned to foster long-term growth and success.