In the ever-evolving cannabis industry, having a professional, secure, and compliant website is essential — not just for growth, but for survival. One wrong move online can lead to your cannabis website getting flagged, shadowbanned, or even taken down. And with strict regulations and platform restrictions, cannabis businesses face more digital landmines than most.

So, why do cannabis websites get flagged? And more importantly, how can you stay compliant, protect your brand, and keep your online presence strong? Let's break it down.

Why Cannabis Websites Get Flagged

1. Violating Hosting Terms of Service

Not all web hosting platforms support cannabis content — even if you're 100% legal in your region. Many large-scale providers (like GoDaddy or Squarespace) follow federal U.S. laws, which still classify cannabis as a Schedule I substance. This means your site can be suspended or removed even if you're operating legally under state law.

Pro Tip: Choose a cannabis-friendly web host (like us 😉) that understands the industry and supports cannabis businesses at the infrastructure level.

2. Improper Age Verification

Failing to include a proper age gate is one of the most common compliance violations. Regulators require that cannabis websites verify a visitor's age before allowing access, especially in states with strict advertising laws.

This doesn't just protect you legally — it also builds trust with customers who expect transparency and legitimacy.

3. Making Medical or Health Claims

This one's a biggie. If your cannabis site makes unsubstantiated health claims like "cures anxiety" or "treats cancer," you're asking for trouble. Even testimonials can land you in hot water if they imply medical efficacy.

The FDA and FTC both monitor these types of claims, and search engines like Google may penalize or flag sites that cross the line.

4. Using Banned Advertising Terms

Cannabis businesses often run into issues with SEO and paid advertising because of certain keywords. Google Ads, Facebook, and other platforms prohibit terms like "weed," "marijuana," or even "CBD" in ads, depending on the context.

Even in organic content, poor keyword use can trigger algorithmic scrutiny.

5. Non-Compliant E-commerce Features

Selling cannabis or CBD online? You need airtight compliance. That includes:

• Geo-restrictions on where you ship

• Proper disclaimers

• Secure checkout processes

• Approved third-party payment processors

Without these, your site can be blacklisted or worse — legally exposed.

How to Stay Compliant (and Keep Your Website Safe)

1. Work with a Cannabis-Specialized Developer

This isn't the place for DIY or hiring a cousin who "knows WordPress." You need a web developer who understands cannabis laws, platform restrictions, and the nuances of cannabis SEO and hosting.

A specialized team (like ours) will build compliance into your site from the ground up — design, code, hosting, security, and content.

2. Host on a Cannabis-Friendly Platform

Make sure your web hosting provider explicitly supports cannabis and CBD businesses. Bonus points if they offer SSL security, backups, uptime monitoring, and content support geared for the cannabis space.

This alone can save you from sudden takedowns or legal headaches.

3. Install an Age Gate and Legal Disclaimers

Use a pop-up or landing screen that asks users to confirm they're 21+ before entering. Add clear legal disclaimers — especially for health-related products or CBD content — and keep them updated based on your state's regulations.

4. Follow SEO Best Practices (Without Breaking the Rules)

Here's how to balance cannabis SEO with compliance:

• Use natural, long-tail keywords like "cannabis dispensary website design" or "SEO for CBD brands"

• Avoid overly promotional or health-related phrases

• Write educational content (like this!) that builds authority

Search engines love useful, well-written content — and so do your potential customers.

5. Keep It Secure and Updated

Your site should run on HTTPS, have a clean backend, and be regularly updated. If your CMS, plugins, or codebase is outdated, it opens you up to security breaches, which is another reason sites get flagged.

Another Tip: Fast, secure websites rank higher in search too.

Final Thoughts

Running a cannabis business is already tough — don't let your website be the thing that holds you back.

By understanding the reasons cannabis websites get flagged and taking proactive steps to stay compliant, you can protect your brand, attract more traffic, and convert visitors into loyal customers.

If you're ready to build or upgrade your cannabis website the right way — compliant, secure, and SEO-optimized — get in touch with us today. We specialize in helping cannabis businesses thrive online.