A review of social media platform policies that address cannabis promotion, marketing and sales

Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy

Research

Alexandria Pannell¹  Cassidy R. LoParco²  Yuxian Cui²  Carla J. Berg³  Yan Wang³  Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg⁴  Grace Kong⁵  Y. Tony Yang⁶  Katelyn F. Romm⁷  Lynniah Griffith⁸ 

[1] Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 2121 I St NW, 20052, Washington, DC, USA;Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, #7000C, 20052, Washington, DC, USA;Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, #7000C, 20052, Washington, DC, USA;George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, 2121 I St NW, 20052, Washington, DC, USA;Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8134, 660 South Euclid Avenue, 63110, St. Louis, MO, USA;Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 06519, New Haven, CT, USA;George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, 2121 I St NW, 20052, Washington, DC, USA;Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement, School of Nursing, George Washington University, 1919 Pennsylvania Ave NW #500, 20006, Washington, DC, USA;TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 73104, Oklahoma City, OK, USA;Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, 02481, Wellesley, MA, USA;

关键词: Social media;    Marketing;    Cannabis;    Cannabis industry;    Policy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13011-023-00546-x

 received in 2023-01-26, accepted in 2023-06-07,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundCannabis marketing exposure via social media may impact use in youth and young adults. Most states with recreational cannabis lack policies regarding social media-based marketing. Thus, we examined such policies among prominent platforms, particularly those popular among youth and young adults.MethodsIn September-October 2022, 3 research team members extracted policies applying to the general community, advertising, and any specific content regarding drug-related content for 11 social media sites: Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Tumblr, Twitch, Twitter, and YouTube. Using inductive thematic analysis, they then dual-coded restrictions on cannabis-related content (e.g., paid advertising, unpaid promotion, sales). Descriptive analyses were conducted.ResultsTen (all except TikTok) referenced cannabis/marijuana, 7 (all except Discord, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube) distinguished different cannabis-derived products, and 5 (Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Tumblr, Twitter) noted jurisdictional differences in cannabis regulations/legality. All prohibited sales, 9 (all except Snapchat and Tumblr) prohibited paid advertising, and 4 (Discord, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok) prohibited unpaid promotion (e.g., user-generated content). All restricted underage access to cannabis-related content. However, policies varied and were ambiguous regarding how “promotion” was defined, whether/how jurisdictional differences in legality were addressed, how businesses may interact on social media, barriers implemented to inhibit the facilitation of sales, and enforcement protocols.ConclusionsSocial media policies regarding cannabis marketing are ambiguous and may facilitate cannabis marketing, promotion, sales, and underage exposure, thus compounding concerns regarding insufficient governmental regulations. Greater specificity in social media cannabis-related policies and enforcement is needed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

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