The new rules prohibit apps that allow users to order cannabis through “an in-app shopping cart feature,” assist “in arranging delivery or pick up” of cannabis products,” or facilitate the sale of THC-containing products.
Its updated policies include bans on apps that facilitate tobacco sales – including e-cigarettes – and those that “encourage the irresponsible use of alcohol or tobacco.”
In a statement to Android Police, Google indicated that apps like cannabis delivery app Eaze and Weedmaps – which has an online ordering function in addition to the ability to map dispensaries – would have to remove their ordering function within 30 days in order to remain compliant with the platform.

“These apps simply need to move the shopping cart flow outside of the app itself to be compliant with this new policy. We’ve been in contact with many of the developers and are working with them to answer any technical questions and help them implement the changes without customer disruption.” – Google, to Android Police

The changes come on the same day Google announced“additional protections for children and families” on its Play service. The changes now require app developers to declare a target audience and while cannabis sales are limited to individuals 21-and-older, the company’s new policies are renewed efforts to prevent children from seeing inappropriate content.