Video game streaming platform Twitch, acquired by Amazon in 2014, recently released an update to its branded content guidelines, which include a ban on sponsoring cannabis products or brands.
Twitch’s branded content guidelines explain that it is defined as “streamers showcasing products or services on the basis of an exchange of value, such as being paid or receiving goods or services “. These can be product placements, endorsements, channel sponsorships, and more.
Under Prohibited Product Categories, Twitch clarifies that it does not allow services that violate its Community Guidelines, such as risky gambling, unauthorized sharing of private information, and “illegal products and services”. , such as the sale, advertising or trafficking of drugs, firearms, counterfeit products or other illegal products and services”.
It also clarified that streamers cannot feature sponsored content that includes weapons, adult items, tobacco products, political content, and “cannabis-related products, including vaping and delivery.”
Interviewed by High Times, content creator JimTanna, who streams on Twitch and videos on YouTube, explains that the mention of banning cannabis sponsorship, but keeping alcohol brand sponsorship allowed elicited many reactions.
“But what’s weird, and what’s allowed, is that you can still promote alcohol. I do not understand what is happening. We can promote alcohol, but we can’t promote legal cannabis? JimTanna said. “…Let the content creators live. Let us smoke our weed. Let us promote the products. »
JimTanna adds that these new rules do not prevent streamers from smoking freely on their streams, but are specifically focused on sponsoring cannabis-related products.
Previously, Twitch implemented other changes to prevent usernames with “references to hard drugs, recreational drugs, and drug abuse” except for “alcohol, tobacco and marijuana” in February 2022. Amazon itself has already taken steps to update its drug testing policy in September 2021, and has also lobbied to support federal legalization of cannabis in January 2022. .
In recent years, other companies have updated their cannabis policies. Twitter recently refined its policies, including allowing ads related to cannabis, including THC and CBD. Apple removed and banned vaping-related apps from the Apple Store in November 2019, but an update in 2021 ended that ban which prevented cannabis companies from entering the Store.
