In a time when a growing number of people are taking an increasingly open and accepting stance on cannabis, one of the world’s largest technology companies is taking a step in the opposite direction.
Tech giant Google has made an update to its Play Store’s content policy this week banning marijuana sales and delivery apps.
The new rules state that apps with features that allow users to purchase cannabis or facilitate marijuana delivery or pickup are no longer allowed on the platform.
Affected apps like Weedmaps and Eaze will be able to remain in the Play Store by removing their shopping cart features, a change that will significantly impact customer flow without some sort of workaround.
Android Police reports that Google is working with developers to bring their apps into compliance, which must be done within 30 days.
“These apps simply need to move the shopping cart flow outside of the app itself to be compliant with this new policy,” said Google in a statement. “We’ve been in contact with many of the developers and are working with them to answer any technical questions and help them implement the changes without customer disruption.”
Apps that facilitate tobacco and e-cigarette sales are also banned on the Play Store as well as ones that depict or encourage irresponsible alcohol use such as binge drinking.
