Apple flirts with the market and ensures favorable positioning for cannabis apps
Are big tech companies turning the corner in a quest for cannabis acceptance?
Published on 08/13/2021
Curation and editing by Sechat, with information from Cannabis Tech
In any sector, accessibility is one of the most important aspects to get right. Apple has finally granted cannabis the same transaction rights as any other standard business in its market. This policy change could transform the mobile cannabis market.
While not all tech companies are on board, some giants like Amazon are redefining the importance of lobbying for federal legalization in the US. Still, organizations like Facebook are suspected to engage in activities related to banning cannabis-related topics. The practice of shadow-banning does not relate posts in relevant search results, which directly affects the engagement of posts alluding to the topic.
However, Apple is opening its app market to cannabis ventures and ensures that a major shift is coming.
Wouldn't it be exciting to see Amazon start listing psilocybin mushrooms or conducting cannabis transactions through apps?
Well, according to reports from Dave Clark, CEO of Amazon's global consumer division, this reality is not so far off, and he reinforces:
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When laws change, innovation will happen in an instant.
Dave Clark
Remember that Amazon is America's largest employer. They are practically as strong as any union. With them behind legalization, there will likely be little resistance. Five US states have already legalized cannabis this year, and the list keeps growing.
IN THE BATTLE OF GIANTS, WHO CAN SAVE CANNABIS?
Despite gaining Amazon and Apple as allies, companies like Google and Facebook have not yet shown their support. Perhaps it's because of the no-win game they play while balancing legality and public approval, but in the meantime, cannabis is here.
As for Facebook, they will eventually follow the public. Those who do not support cannabis now will tolerate it later. Once the field is set, this will allow cannabis companies to operate in broad daylight, with traditional business expenses and profits. Being able to rely on apps can make transaction tracking much simpler. This data is crucial in attempting to normalize cannabis taxation and give companies a better deal through transparency and accuracy. When cannabis functions as a traditional industry, the government is responsible for providing equal and fair treatment.
Ultimately, the main beneficiaries of these policy changes are consumers. Instead of jumping between two or three sites to buy cannabis products, they can use a single app. Through a streamlined app, the risk of phishing and misinformation for consumers is reduced. Another business that will likely grow with this change is network transaction security, as privacy will become an inevitable topic. These issues are a feature of all modern sectors, so they should not be an insurmountable challenge to address in a timely manner.
ARE THERE CANNABIS APPS ALREADY?
The answer is yes! Outside of Brazil, in countries where legislation allows, there are already several cannabis-related apps on the market.
But who will seize the real opportunity to make money with the plant through the app store?
Well, several delivery services are already operating using the new privileges, including UBER has its own plans to enter the market.
Hopefully, there is a trend for cannabis services to join companies like StrainPrint, which aim to provide consumer-level cannabis information. The StrainPrint app collects self-reported data. Having verification and organization through verified purchases via app integration can transform the public's relationship with cannabis data. Instead of tracking searches, consumers could see information based on other people, similar to making a purchase on Amazon or checking a Yelp review.
No one can predict the future, but right now, there is a potent creative opportunity in the world of cannabis apps. We are likely to see a company like High Times or Leafly monopolize the market. But eventually, independent apps have a real chance. Perhaps a local union of farms could start a delivery service through the AppStore. There is still a long way to go in Brazil, but such a reality in other countries serves as food for thought and, in any case, a substantial victory for normalization.
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