The Swedish Facebook group Decriminalize Cannabis, Avkriminalisera Cannabis (AKC) in Swedish, is one of the Nordic region’s largest platforms for people who want to promote cannabis. With over 30,000 members, the group is a significant gathering place for those who advocate the decriminalization of minor drug crimes and a reform of Sweden’s drug policy.
The purpose and activities of the group
AKC works to spread education and information about cannabis and its legal status in Sweden. The group aims to change the current legal situation by educating the public and policymakers about the benefits of decriminalisation. The members actively discuss how a reformed drug policy can lead to positive social and economic effects, such as reduced burden on the justice system and increased opportunities for harm reduction.
Despite the sensitive nature of the topic, AKC maintains a high standard of post moderation. The group’s administrators and moderators work hard to ensure that discussions are respectful and that the rules are followed. This strict moderation aims to create a safe and informative environment for members.
Challenges of shadow banning
Despite efforts to maintain a respectable and informative platform, the group has faced significant obstacles in the form of shadow banning on social media. This means that the group is not always visible in search results on e.g. Facebook, which makes it difficult for new members to find and join the group. Shadow banning can be seen as a form of invisible censorship that affects the group’s reach and ability to reach a wider audience.
In 2021, the AKC was temporarily shut down by Facebook without any clear explanation. However, the group was quickly reactivated after just one day.
Collection of signatures for change
To further strengthen its efforts, the AKC has a petition on its website, avkriminalisera.se. The goal is to collect enough signatures to put pressure on politicians and policymakers to reevaluate the current drug policy. So far, almost 16,000 people have signed, which shows a growing support for a more progressive and humane drug policy in Sweden.