Marijuana-Related Apps Hit A Speed Bump

The legalization of medical and recreational marijuana use has opened the door for the emergence of several new startups. From specialized growers to brand-name pot products, the possibilities seemed endless— until cannabis made its way to the tech space.

There’s An App For That

As the marijuana revolution spread from state to state, developers who wanted in on the fast growing industry began to invest in apps devoted to the drug. Everything from marijuana delivery services and dispensary maps to weed-themed social media apps are being developed by startups hoping to piggyback on the growing industry. Most expect that as US legislation changes, the culture surrounding marijuana will move to become more mainstream, and they want their apps front and center when that happens.

Apple Resists  

However, Apple Inc.’s AAPL App Store, one of the largest content distribution platforms in the world, won’t allow cannabis related products to be sold on its network.  The company’s policies dictate that apps must comply with local laws in all locations where they can be purchased, and since US marijuana laws differ from state to state, that makes pot-themed apps a no-go.

Tech Companies Push Forward

Companies like Weedmaps, Nestdrop and Cannabuild have all petitioned Apple to amend its user agreement to allow weed-based apps to be sold, but so far the company has been silent. Despite Apple’s reluctance to get on board, the industry is continuing to press forward, hoping that enough public interest Cannabis tech will push Apple into action.