Social Setting

The cannabis community has exploded onto the internet by way of social media. Though every platform offers something unique, there’s a shocking presence of patients, artists, dispensaries and brands, standing strong and making us proud, everywhere we look.

Instagram (arguably) dominates the majority of the cannabis community’s interactions, if nothing else acting as a home base to return to. Reviving the days of snail-mail and pen-pals, an extremely common trend within this community is to send and receive non-medicated treats via post. These packages often include stickers, art, apparel, or small gifts from fellow IG accounts—a truly brilliant and simple form of promotion, as upon receiving the mail, documentation and sharing surely occurs. Many brands set up affiliate programs or provide discount codes for influential accounts to share with their unique audiences.  Equally so, many patients and advocates have been able to generate a part-time income and beyond, for proving their promotional value to the right brand(s).

Though the cannabis community is clearly present on Facebook, we don’t seem to be as overly boisterous about it on our personal posts. Maybe because there are private groups and pages made specifically for this topic, or maybe, just maybe, both mom and grandma have come around to figuring “this contraption out” causing us to be way more courteous of the content we share.

“As acceptance of legalization sweeps the nation, it’s incredible to see where the growth of our community is not only appreciated, but most easily nurtured. All of these social media platforms provide us with rabbit-holes of information to absorb an eternity-of-clicks worth of friends to connect with.”

Because we are most likely connected with family members or potential employers on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, ‘closet medicators,’ or simply those who have to be a bit more concerned about associating themselves with cannabis, have found platforms/apps that are directly intended for this community, such as @Leafly (116k), @WeedMaps (10.8k), @MassRoots (411k) as well as platforms that offer a bit of anonymity like Reddit Forums, and Private Chat Communities, or even apps that offer a sense of impermanence such as SnapChat.

Our community has also found ways to connect by means of video dominant platforms. Owner of @SocialEyesLash (53.1k) and YouTube icon @KarissaPukas (369k) encourages her fans to educate themselves about cannabis and hemp. In addition to dominating Instagram with her beautiful botanically dominated photography, @SheSmokesJoints (257k) content is received very well through Vine and Periscope.
As acceptance of legalization sweeps the nation, it’s incredible to see where the growth of our community is not only appreciated, but most easily nurtured. All of these social media platforms provide us with rabbit-holes of information to absorb an eternity-of-clicks worth of friends to connect with. Grateful for the acceptance, understanding and camaraderie we’ve found in one another, it is up to us all to remain responsible with our usage of these platforms, as deactivation still happens often. Please, continue to use these tools and wisely, friends.

Gratitude to all the friends we’ve mentioned and so many more for setting a good example for your peers in this community. Keep up the great work.

Our friends in this community have found such an incredible way to bond through Instagram over the past few years. Sure, at first glance there are lots of butts and bongs, but we’re proud to share that we’ve dug deep and see so much more development than that:

• We laugh at ourselves via meme, by way of accounts such as @WeedHumor (1.5m).
• We indulge our cravings, with friends like @ItsDelisiouslyDee (30k), by following along with recipes through her blog as “The Happy Chef”.
• We meet mothers like @_MotherGreen (62k), who work hard to show the world that cannabis cures, by nurturing education based communities such as @ParentsForPot (20.6k).
• We get a peek into the lives of patients such as @Princess__High (63k) who push past chronic, (often invisible) illnesses, sharing their daily thoughts and lives as catalysts for positive discussions with their peers.
• We also see patients such as @HappyTokes (53.4k), blossoming into natural activists, creating communities and becoming representatives for both patients and brands, alike. @HappyTokesTribe member, @HoopLoveFireAndFlow (3.2k) regularly goes above and beyond with political based activism—We especially loved watching her recent video hula-hooping with Bernie Sander’s wife (Jane) and daughter (Carina) during the Alaska caucus.The brands that are available to interact with on Instagram are endless:

• For rolling papers and basic herb related accessories, check out @FuturolaUSA (41.3k).
• For a reliable brand that offers discreet medication, check out @OpenVape (15.9k).
• If novelty accessories are up your alley, boss-up with a 24k gold joint from @ShinePapers (167k), or get insanely playful with some @Monkey_Os (16.3k).
• Plenty of one-stop, online-shops with visually stimulating documentation of brands you know and love, such as @BillowbyCo (11.8k).
• Subscription services like @MyBurnBox (10.7k) offer discreet monthly shipments of non-medicated smoking products and accessories, delivered to your door.
• Though you can’t get medicated treats like @KushCakePops (94k) delivered, due to legality issues, brands like these are great at sharing appealing visual content for their current and future customers.The creators within this community are also getting a spotlight on Instagram:

• Glass artists such as @ElboGlass (153k) & @MikeShelbo (63.4k) are iconic visual staples within the community.
• Digital illustrator @Trevolution_Art (43.3k) reimagines his follower’s selfies as aliens, warriors, and galactic goddesses. The presence of cannabis leaves, joints and smoke are common.

Stunning organic jewelry crafted from the center of the world’s densest pinecone comes from @ThirdEyePinecones (143k). Look for these spiritually bonding pieces decorating the necks of others, and you’re sure to see the very cannabis friendly “pinecone family” is everywhere.

*Follower counts were all referenced from Instagram, despite the platform being discussed.