Apple Store To Offer Weed Apps Once Again

After a three month battle, marijuana-based social networking site MassRoots has revamped its offering to fit Apple Inc’s AAPL terms of use and is now back to being available for download in the Apple store. The site, along with several other marijuana-related apps, was banned from the store last November after Apple said apps relating to drug use were not in compliance with the company’s user policy.

Apple Cracks Down On Pot

MassRoots got around Apple’s concerns that marijuana is not legal in all states where the app can be downloaded by adding geofencing filters that only allow users in the 23 states where the drug is legal to sign up. While Apple has remained quiet on the issue, directing complaints to the its lengthy terms of service, critics say the company is stifling growth in a blossoming industry.

Pot And Tech An Appealing Match

As marijuana is a relatively new, high-growth sector, most entrepreneurs are looking to the tech space as an opportune way to get on board. Since app development allows companies to grow and change alongside public preferences, it is seen as the perfect entry point for startups looking to cash in on marijuana’s rising popularity. However, Apple’s resistance to incorporate marijuana-based apps has created a significant barrier.

MassRoots Opens A Door

MassRoots is the first pot company to make its way back to the app store, but speculators believe the floodgates will open soon. Some see other apps following the company’s lead and applying geofilters, while others expect Apple to eventually loosen its terms as legalization spreads.