By Google has updated its content policy for the Google Play Store, banning apps that “facilitate” the sale of marijuana or cannabis.
The new policy means all apps selling, delivering or facilitating the sale of marijuana or related products are banned, whether they operate in a country where it is legal or not.
In September, South Africa’s Constitutional Court lifted the prohibition of the consumption of marijuana by adults, ruling the possession, cultivation and use of dagga for private use is allowed.
Deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo said during the judgement that it will not be a criminal offence for an adult to use or be in possession of cannabis in a private space; however, it still remains illegal to trade in dagga.
This was followed by an increase in local businesses hoping to take advantage of the ruling, with events such as The Cannabis Expo and the Carnival of Cannabis showcasing industry, health and agriculture exhibits.
Existing Marijuana apps on Google Play Store have been given 30 days to comply with the new policy.
Google says these apps simply need to move the shopping cart flow outside of the app itself to be compliant with this new policy.
According to Reuters, Google is working with many of the developers to answer any technical questions and help them implement the changes without customer disruption.
Two of the most popular marijuana-related apps on Android are Eaze, a US-based cannabis delivery app, and Weedmaps, which offers in-app ordering of medical and recreational marijuana products.
A spokesperson for Eaze told Reuters: “Google’s decision is a disappointing development that only helps the illegal market thrive, but we are confident Google, Apple and Facebook will eventually do the right thing.”
The new policy comes after the tech giant had promised to make a number of changes on the Play Store, in efforts to make it more child-friendly.
“At Google Play, we’re committed to providing a positive, safe environment for children and families. Over the last few years, we’ve helped parents find family-friendly content through the Designed for Families programme and empowered them to set digital ground rules for their families with Family Link parental controls,” explained Kanika Sachdeva, product manager at Google Play, in a blog post.
Apple features both Eaze and Weedmaps on its App Store with a 17+ age restriction; however, neither app allows in-app ordering.
Going forward, Android Police suggests apps facilitating the sale of marijuana are likely to continue distributing their apps as side-loadable Android packages, which may be the resolution.
“Google gets the Play Store free of potentially illegal activity, and Eaze and Weedmaps can still get their apps on users’ phones.”
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