Weedmaps Adds In-App Cannabis Purchasing for iPhone Users

SAN FRANCISCO–Thanks to Apple’s new pro-pot App Store guidance, Weedmaps users can now purchase cannabis within the popular app. This means Weedmaps users can browse, select and purchase cannabis and have it set for pick-up or delivery — all inside of the app. Previously, users could only locate and browse menus of local retailers thanks in part to restrictions by Apple and local and federal guidelines.

This is what the Apple App Store policy previously stated:

”Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the App Store. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies), marijuana, or tobacco is not allowed.”

Here’s their new policy:

”Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the App Store. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies and licensed or otherwise legal cannabis dispensaries), or tobacco is not allowed.

Apps that provide services in highly-regulated fields (such as banking and financial services, healthcare, gambling, legal cannabis use, and air travel) or that require sensitive user information should be submitted by a legal entity that provides the services, and not by an individual developer. Apps that facilitate the legal sale of cannabis must be geo-restricted to the corresponding legal jurisdiction.”

Under the new guidance, licensed cannabis operators fall under the same restrictions as licensed pharmacies. “Our ability to enable ordering functionality through our mobile iOS app is a game-changer that will improve accessibility for both our customers and business partners alike,” said Justin Dean, chief technology officer at WM Technology, Inc. “We commend companies like Apple that work with industry leaders to find solutions that drive innovation in our space. It’s encouraging to see policies and attitudes toward cannabis shift in a way that promises remarkable growth, and we look forward to introducing an even simpler way to order cannabis from retailers through our platform.”

Unlike competing delivery services, like Eaze, Weedmaps is not a delivery service. It’s only providing a platform for licensed delivery dispensaries to list their goods and services.

Under the new App Store restrictions, apps like Weedmaps must limit users to ordering within a geo-restricted area where cannabis sales are legal. This means if a user is living in a place where cannabis sales are illegal, they cannot order from a dispensary in a legal area.  The new policy is in effect immediately with the Weedmaps app downloadable for iPhone now.