For the longest time, the only way to get a 19+ age-gate on your Instagram profile as a cannabis company in Canada was to either have a connection at Facebook or at an agency with a connection. Thanks to a new Instagram update, it’s now possible for cannabis companies to set up an age-gate for their Instagram page.
How To Set An Age Limit On Your Instagram Profile
- Go to your profile and tap the three bar button to expand the navigation.
- Tap Settings.
- Select Business or Creator depending on your profile type.
- Tap Minimum Age.
- You can add a minimum age that will be applied universally. Alternatively, you can add ages by country.
Why It Is Important To Age-Gate
Health Canada’s marketing regulations set out in The Cannabis Act require that promotional activities only occur in age-gated environments.
The promotions read:
“Subsection 17(2) of Cannabis Act provides that, subject to the regulations, a person that is authorized to produce, sell or distribute cannabis may promote cannabis by means of informational promotion or brand-preference promotion if the promotion is:
in a communication that is addressed and sent to an individual who is 18 years of age or older and is identified by name; in a place where young persons are not permitted by law; communicated by means of a telecommunication; where the person responsible for the content of the promotion has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the promotion cannot be accessed by a young person”
For cannabis companies, an age-gated Instagram profile allows you to argue that you have taken reasonable steps to ensure that your Instagram content cannot be accessed by a young person.

Instagram Update
Like other Instagram updates, they are rolled out for different people at different times. If you are attempting to age gate a company profile and do not see the update, try signing into the profile using a co-workers phone.
Last Updated on February 22, 2020 by ADCANN