The Straight Dope on YouTubes Weed Policy
Heres the deal: YouTube isnt down with videos that show people actually consuming marijuana. In their guidelines, they clearly state that such content involves someone smoking weed or getting high. So if you light up on camera, chances are pretty watch agonizing that your video will go down.
But hang on! That doesn’t mean you can’t discuss marijuana at all. According to YouTube, most educational or documentary-type content involving weed is just fine. So, if you really want to talk about the health impacts of weed, or legal battles concerning this drug, or the history related to cannabis, those are perfectly acceptable subjects to discuss. You just can’t fire up a joint while you’re filming.
What Happens if You Break the Rules?
Say you throw caution to the wind and post a video of yourself chiefing a blunt. What kind of trouble are you in? Well, YouTube could slap you with a strike against your channel. Get enough strikes and your account could be suspended or even terminated. Harsh buzz, man.
Even if your video doesn’t earn a full-on strike, it could still get age-restricted or demonetized. Meaning YouTube might decide only viewers over 18 can watch it, and you can’t make any ad money off of it. Total bummer.
Dos and Don’ts of Weed on YouTube
To help you navigate this wild world of cannabis content on YouTube, here are some clear dos and don’ts:
Do:
- Debate on legal medical and social aspects of marijuana
- News and updates related to cannabis laws and regulations
- Weed-related products: vapes, bongs, CBD oil reviews
- Vlog and document multiple occasions visiting various cannabis events or dispensaries.
- Education on weed history, weed science, weed culture.
Don’t:
- Show yourself or others smoking or consuming weed in any form.
- Tutorials on how to roll a joint, pack a bowl, or make edibles
- Promotion or encouragement of illegal activities like selling or growing weed
- Specifically including minors or children in your weed-related content
- Using YouTube to sell or link to cannabis products or dispensaries
Is it Possible to Display Smoking Accessories and Upload Tutorials?
So what about videos that show off smoking gear or teach the viewer how to use said gear? Here’s the deal:
Accessory Reviews and Demos
YouTube is pretty cool with videos that review or demonstrate weed-related accessories like pipes, bubblers, and vaporizers. So long as you’re not actually consuming anything, you can show off your gear, explain how it works, and get as in-depth as possible. Just make sure to keep it educational and don’t veer into promotion or encouragement of drug use.
Tutorials and How-Tos
Things get even hairier when you consider teaching your audience how to roll a perfect joint or pack a bowl. In this regard, YouTube’s policy investigantly forbids giving instructions on drug use. So, it is better to be very careful at this stage, even when the intention behind your content is distinctively for the sake of education; doing so may still be viewed as promoting certain illegal activities.
Conclusion
There you have it—everything laid out concerning YouTubes marijuana policies. Sure, you can’t chief a joint on camera, but there are loads of other ways to do weed culture and educational videos. Keep within the lines and don’t harsh the vibe of your channel. Happy filming!
