TikTok’s Double Standard on Marijuana And Alcohol

The cannabis industry shouldn’t be a fan of TikTok considering their double standard with alcohol.

While it seems the administration is a fan China and their most famous tech company, the cannabis industry is not. Alcohol use disorder is a public health concern in China, especially among men.  Culturally they are know for hard drinking, heavy smoking and occasionally illicit opium use.  But the government is very anti marijuana  lead to TikTok’s double standard on marijuana and alcohol. Despite a significant number of medical institutions recognizing the medical benefits,  China and TikTok still hate on the green plant.

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TikTok has established distinct policies regarding content related to cannabis and alcohol. TikTok strictly prohibits any content that depicts or promotes cannabis. This includes not only direct advertisements for cannabis products but also any visual or verbal references to cannabis use, sales, or trade. The platform’s community guidelines explicitly state that users should not post or share content that glorifies or encourages the use of drugs, including cannabis, regardless of its legal status in various regions.

While cannabis brands can create educational content about cannabis culture and personal experiences, they must avoid showing any actual product usage or making promotional claims. For instance:

• Allowed Content:
  • Educational videos about cannabis culture
  • Discussions on the benefits of cannabis
  • Personal stories relating to cannabis experiences
• Not Allowed Content:
  • Videos showing cannabis use
  • Product promotions or sales pitches
  • Tutorials on making cannabis-infused products

This strict enforcement means that many users find their content removed if it even indirectly suggests cannabis use, such as showing smoke without clear context.

But, in contrast to its stance on cannabis, TikTok has updated its policies to allow advertising for alcoholic beverages under specific conditions. As of August 2024, TikTok permits alcohol ads but requires that they target users who are 25 years or older. The rules around Alcohol ads are they must not feature individuals under the legal drinking age and promotions cannot depict excessive drinking or irresponsible behavior.

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