Twitter has been used to fight tyranny, deliver tragic news, follow politics, and now some California residents have found another innovative purpose for the micro-blogging service: marketing weed. A medical marijuana dispensary in California has begun gravitating to online mediums, including Twitter, to get the word out, according to Fox News. Under California law, nonprofit dispensaries can distribute marijuana to patients who have a medical need for this alternative treatment.
The Artist's Collective
The Los Angeles based Artist's Collective is a small, nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary that donates some of its proceeds to opportunity grants for artists, writers, performers, and musicians. To be able to purchase marijuana from the Artist's Collective you need to have a doctor's note certifying that you would benefit from marijuana as a medical treatment.
The Collective has recently launched a large digital presence with its own Web site, Facebook page, MySpace account and Twitter feed, and uses all of these online tools to connect with its members.
Twitter, however, turns out to be the Collective's best way to reach out to the public. The Collective has only been open for a few months, but the nonprofit told Fox News that business really started hopping once it signed up for Twitter in June.
The Collective's tweet stream mixes adverts for the latest pot strains and sales, with quirky tweets from a "day in the life of a medical marijuana delivery driver"--the Artist's Collective offers free delivery (sorry weed only, no side trips for food).
Recent Collective tweets:
"The most frequently heard comment when crossing the threshold of a new patient's home is, "Sorry about the mess."
"Place your orders now for Rice Krispie Jamboree! Made with South Bay Healing Magic! Available by July 11th."
"The Russian mob calls. (At least that's the accent.) "Vat is this strain? Are you wholesaler?" No, we're a creative non-profit. Don't shoot!"
"New for our Members: Blackberry Kush and Green Crack. Blackberry is excellent for relaxation while Green Crack will give you an energy boost."
Why Twitter?
I guess it's not entirely surprising that Twitter was the online game changer for increasing the Collective's membership. And it makes sense. I mean, let's face it, when you're flying high on Green Crack or Blackberry Kush and dying for that Domino's guy to show up with your pizza, the time it takes to read one tweet--140 characters or less--is about as long as you can concentrate.
Think weed is the only drug advertised on the Internet? Think again. Check out PC World's story: "Psychedelic Drugs Just a Click Away Online."
Connect with Ian Paul on Twitter (@ianpaul).