Cannabis App in iTunes Store? Apple Allows App But Only in States Permitting Weed Use

Silicon Valley giant Apple has allowed an app for MassRoots – an online community for marijuana users – to become available again in its iTunes Store after it banned the group for violating its policies.

The app was available in iTunes Store from July 2013 until Nov. 4 last year, the same day voters in Oregon, Alaska and the District of Columbia legalized marijuana for adult recreational use.

Apple earlier banned the app because it violated a guideline which states: "Apps that encourage excessive consumption of alcohol or illegal substances, or encourage minors to consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes, will be rejected."

Apple, however, reversed its order after founder Isaac Dietrich suggested geo-restricting the MassRoots app so that only people living in jurisdictions where marijuana is legal could use it.

Apple previously refused to shift its position, but did so later. "A few hours ago, an Apple representative called to notify us that our efforts were successful: the App Store is permitting cannabis social apps that are geo-restricted to the 23 states that have legalized medicinal cannabis. MassRoots is available for download in the App Store," Dietrich was quoted by SF Gate as saying.

In a blog post on Friday, MassRoots described Apple's policy change as "representative of a growing nation-wide acceptance of cannabis."

"A tremendous amount of responsibility has just been placed on MassRoots: We have a duty to show the world that cannabis consumption can be done in a safe and responsible manner in compliance with state laws and federal enforcement guidelines. We do not take this task lightly. Over the coming weeks, we will be implementing new features to strengthen our compliance even beyond what is currently required," the community's administration wrote.

"Throughout this campaign, the MassRoots team never stopped using our iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads as a testament to Apple's world-class products. We'd like to thank the App Store for embracing the cannabis community and continuing to set an example as a socially-progressive institution. We are excited to begin a new chapter with Apple in which we can work together to affect meaningful societal change," the MassRoots statement said.

MassRoots' app is only one of several marijuana-related businesses that had their social media pages darkened or their apps pulled out from Apple's iTunes stores with little warning or explanation, said SF Gate.

California, the cradle of Silicon Valley, only allows medicinal pot but accounts for almost half of the booming $2.7-billion cannabis market, based on a report by marijuana data and analysis firm ArcView.

Medicinal marijuana is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. It is now legal for adult use in four other states.