What a buzzkill!
Instagram has suspended the account of a pro-marijuana veterans group, organizers announced Sunday.
“On November 21, 2024, our organization’s official Instagram account @disabledveteransincannabis was suddenly and unexpectedly suspended without prior notice or explanation,” said Co-Founder of Cannabis Disabled Veterans Association Osbert Orduna told the Post.
“We diligently abide by Instagram's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, and believe this suspension is unjustified.”
He suspected that Meta-owned Instagram deleted the account because the group's name included the word “marijuana” and its digital logo included a marijuana leaf. However, the company did not notify the group why the account was suspended.
Instagram has notified suspended groups that they have 180 days to appeal the suspension.
“We'll take another look at your account. If we find your account complies with our community standards, you'll be able to use Instagram again,” the social media company said. spoke to a group of veterans.
“If your account is found not to comply with our community standards, it will be permanently disabled and you will not be able to dispute it again.”
Veterans groups operate freely on X, and Orduna praised the platform's owner, Elon Musk, for “doing the right thing” and taking “a reasonable position on cannabis.”
Orduna accused Instagram of acting as “judge, jury, and executioner” by showing hostility toward the increasingly legalized cannabis industry, especially veterans.
“In comparison, Elon Musk and X have taken a responsible and rational position on cannabis,” he said.
with X accounta group of disabled veterans who support legal pot services wrote, “Where are the class action lawyers? Isn't anyone else tired of @Meta @instagram's censorship of the word 'CANNABIS'?” Probably
“We are an advocacy group for disabled veterans. That's all, but maybe that's too radical?” the post continued.
It appealed to President-elect Donald Trump's planned new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which will be headed by Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
“Maybe @DOGE @realDonaldTrump can stop censorship,” the post concluded.
A Meta spokesperson declined to comment.
