Instagram’s New Ban on Vaping Influencers Could Mean Trouble for Cannabis-Related Accounts

While cannabis is not mentioned in Instagram’s latest ban, the prohibition of advertising for vaporizers (and weapons) will likely have an effect on Instagram cannabis influencers. Yahoo! Finance reports that weed-focused influencers fear this will be one more obstacle thrown in their way by the social network.

Facebook (which owns Instagram) explained that the move is intended to filter content that could have a negative affect on its users’ health. Marijuana advocacy content is allowed, says Facebook, as long as it does not promote or facilitate the sale of cannabis.

The article goes on to quote several cannabis industry influencers with their interpretations of Facebook/Instagram’s policies. One well-known advocate and influencer, Steve DeAngelo (@steve.deangelo), insists that the goal of the networks is not to protect users from injury from vapes, as the cases of illness related to vaping are not due to legal cannabis vapes.