Legal cannabis companies, already grappling with myriad regulations and the dual status of the drug being legal at a state level and illegal at a federal level, can add another compliance issue to their to-do list: making their websites accessible.
MJBizDaily, a publication that’s covered the cannabis industry since 2011, recently published an article about the need for cannabis companies to comply with the American Disabilities Act and ensure their websites are accessible.
“For people with disabilities, being able to navigate a website is just as important as the accessibility to buildings that’s required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)…while there isn’t a law that specifically calls for company websites to comply with the (ADA), the expectation has developed over time in case law,” the article stated.
Harris Beach attorney Scott D. Piper was featured in the article warning that inaccessible websites are vulnerable to lawsuits.
“From a business perspective, you want to make sure the maximum number of people can reach your website. You want more consumers, and you don’t want the reputation of not being consumer-friendly,” Piper said. “You also don’t want to get sued. Most business insurance does not cover lawsuits for this type of issue. Most of the time, it’s the business paying out of pocket.”
