Carlos Ramos, Founder/CEO, Up Elevated Cocktails; Co-Founder, Runners High Chicago
“The social media conundrum so many cannabis creators and business owners face is truly disheartening. We dedicate years to building audiences in what’s supposed to be a legal industry, yet countless creators fall victim to vague ‘community guidelines’ and the over-policing of a plant, while others amass hundreds of thousands of followers with no issue. Having spent most of my career in the beverage alcohol industry, the double standard between cannabis and alcohol is laughable. Both are regulated for adults 21 and over, yet alcohol —an intoxicating and socially harmful substance — is celebrated and normalized online, while cannabis, a plant with undeniable medicinal benefits, remains restricted and stigmatized. We’ve become desensitized to alcohol’s harms, yet continue to see cannabis suppressed.
It’s not surprising this pushback exists, given the lobbying power of industries with the most to lose — alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceuticals. Still, I remain hopeful that social media will evolve into a space where cannabis brands can creatively market and share the plant’s many benefits. In the meantime, I’ve found success by focusing on what I can control: maintaining community presence and owning my communication channels. By launching our first email list and newsletter, we’ve been able to stay connected and continue sharing updates directly with consumers.” - Ramos
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