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Navigating Social Media Rules for Cannabis Brands: What You Can (and Can’t) Do

By April 26, 2025SEO
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Navigating Social Media Rules for Cannabis Brands: What You Can (and Can’t) Do

Marketing cannabis on social media can feel like walking a tightrope. Even as legalization spreads across the U.S., platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and others still enforce strict rules around cannabis content. For cannabis brands trying to grow their audience, knowing what’s allowed — and what can get you flagged or banned — is critical.

Here’s a breakdown of current social media guidelines to help cannabis companies post smarter and stay compliant.

Instagram (Meta)

Instagram allows brands to show cannabis visually — products, plants, even consumption — but prohibits offering cannabis for sale.
You can post photos and videos of your flower, edibles, and concentrates, but you can’t:

  • Post captions like “DM to buy” or “Order now.”

  • Include prices, discounts, or promotions.

  • Directly link to an online store selling cannabis.

You also cannot run paid ads for cannabis products.
Pro Tip: Always state “21+” clearly in your bio and on posts to avoid issues.

Summary:

  • ✅ OK to post cannabis photos and videos

  • ✅ OK to show 21+ consumption

  • ❌ Not OK to sell, post prices, or link directly to a menu

Facebook (Meta)

Facebook follows the same rules as Instagram:
Cannabis lifestyle and educational content is allowed, but direct sales are not.

  • You can show products and talk about cannabis culture.

  • You can’t post prices, discounts, delivery deals, or directly link to sales.

  • You cannot run cannabis ads, even in legal states.

Summary:

  • ✅ OK to discuss cannabis and show products

  • ✅ OK to link to informational pages

  • ❌ Not OK to promote sales or show prices

TikTok

TikTok remains the strictest platform.
Any cannabis content — including showing plants, smoking, or even holding a product — risks immediate removal under their “Controlled Substances” policy.

  • Educational posts (like cannabis history) may survive, but it’s risky.

  • Promoting products or use in any way is prohibited.

Summary:

  • ❌ Not OK to show cannabis visually

  • ❌ Not OK to promote use or sale

  • ⚠️ MAYBE OK to talk generally about cannabis history or laws (with extreme caution)

Twitter (X)

Twitter has taken a much more open stance. As of 2023, licensed cannabis brands can advertise in states where cannabis is legal.

  • You can post cannabis product photos and videos.

  • You can link directly to product menus (with a 21+ gate).

  • Paid ads are allowed but must strictly target adults 21+ and comply with state regulations.

  • No health claims or depictions of consumption are allowed in ads.

Summary:

  • ✅ OK to show cannabis and talk products

  • ✅ OK to link directly to sales (with age gating)

  • ✅ OK to run ads (for licensed brands)

YouTube

YouTube allows cannabis content under some conditions:

  • You can post educational videos, product reviews, and documentaries.

  • You must age-restrict any cannabis-related videos (21+).

  • You cannot link directly to an online store from your videos.

  • Monetizing cannabis content (running ads on your videos) is usually not allowed.

Summary:

  • ✅ OK to show and discuss cannabis

  • ✅ OK to review products

  • ❌ Not OK to sell or link directly to stores

LinkedIn

LinkedIn permits professional cannabis content focused on education, hiring, and industry news.

  • You can post about your company, open jobs, and events.

  • You cannot promote product sales or specific cannabis products.

Summary:

  • ✅ OK to talk about industry developments

  • ✅ OK to post educational corporate content

  • ❌ Not OK to offer sales or discounts

Quick Cheat Sheet

Platform Show Cannabis? Talk About Products? Link to Sales? Sell/Advertise Direct?
Instagram ✅ Yes ✅ Carefully ⚠️ Indirectly ❌ No
Facebook ✅ Yes ✅ Carefully ⚠️ Indirectly ❌ No
TikTok ❌ No ⚠️ Carefully ❌ No ❌ No
Twitter ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (strict rules)
YouTube ✅ Yes ✅ Carefully ⚠️ Not to store ❌ No
LinkedIn ✅ Yes ✅ Educational only ⚠️ Carefully ❌ No

Final Takeaways for Cannabis Brands

  • Instagram and Facebook: Focus on culture, lifestyle, and product education — but don’t sell or link directly to a menu.

  • TikTok: Avoid cannabis visuals entirely.

  • Twitter (X): Great opportunity for licensed brands to advertise and promote products responsibly.

  • YouTube: Solid for educational content and reviews — but keep it age-restricted and non-commercial.

  • LinkedIn: Ideal for corporate and industry thought leadership, not product promotion.

Want help crafting a compliant cannabis marketing strategy?
At Winston Digital, we specialize in navigating these evolving regulations to help cannabis brands grow safely and effectively across all major platforms.
Contact us to learn more!

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