AppleInsider Staff
America's stance on marijuana is changing, and so too are Apple's App Store policies, as the iPhone maker has begun giving the greenlight to cannabis-related apps, provided they are accessed from a state where the drug has been legalized.
Apple's change was spotlighted on Friday by the makers of the app MassRoots, a social networking application for cannabis users. Apple has allowed MassRoots back into the App Store with a new mandatory geolocation check that will prevent users outside of authorized territories from accessing the network.
The change comes after the developers of MassRoots and other marijuana advocacy groups petitioned Apple to consider changing its stance on barring drug-themed applications from the App Store.
"We'd like to thank the App Store for embracing the cannabis community and continuing to set an example as a socially-progressive institution," the MassRoots team wrote. "We are excited to begin a new chapter with Apple in which we can work together to affect meaningful societal change."
With its acceptance into the App Store, the self-described "voice of the cannabis community" said it now has "a duty to show the world that cannabis consumption can be done in a safe and responsible manner in compliance" with the law. The developer said it plans to add new features and security measures that go beyond even Apple's requirements in the coming weeks.
Since the late 1990s, 23 U.S. states and Washington D.C. have legalized the sale and use of cannabis in one form or another, whether restricted to medical needs or for recreational use. The states where it is legal, and marijuana-related iOS apps should be accessible, are:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
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44 Comments
"Marijuana" , although originally a Mexican folk name historically, became a pejorative term for Cannabis, popularised by the racist publisher William Randolph Hearst and used to demonize Cannabis and its users through his newspapers. The plant is called Cannabis. I understand you needed to grab eyeballs with the headline... at least you then use the correct term in the story..
"Marijuana" , although originally a Mexican folk name historically, became a pejorative term for Cannabis, popularised by the racist publisher William Randolph Hearst and used to demonize Cannabis and its users through his newspapers. The plant is called Cannabis.
I understand you needed to grab eyeballs with the headline... at least you then use the correct term in the story..
Who cares
[quote name="argonaut" url="/t/184782/apple-now-allowing-marijuana-themed-app-store-downloads-in-23-us-states-where-drug-is-legal/0_100#post_2675491"]"Marijuana" , although originally a Mexican folk name historically, became a pejorative term for Cannabis, popularised by the racist publisher William Randolph Hearst and used to demonize Cannabis and its users through his newspapers. The plant is called Cannabis. I understand you needed to grab eyeballs with the headline... at least you then use the correct term in the story..[/quote]The term is correct. If you want to debate the nomenclature using the term marijuana has become as ubiquitous as "Q-Tips" has become for "cotton swabs". As far as the App Store goes this is great particularly for patients like me who use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Let%u2019s start doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. None of us would want our kids put in jail over a little marijuana. None of us would want the police to confiscate and sell our parents' home because they grew a couple of plants to help with the aches and pains of growing older. Let's start treating other people the way we would want to be treated. This is up for debate right now in Georgia, so if that's you, email your Georgia House Representative: Go to the link http://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/HouseMembersList.aspx click on their name to find their email address Email your Georgia State Senator: http://www.senate.ga.gov/senators/en-US/SenateMembersList.aspx These lists have a search engine; just type in your town and it will highlight your Representative and your Senator. Polite. Responsible. Friendly.
Well Dr. Dre is on Apple's executive board so this comes with the territory that Apple would be peddling Mary Jane apps.