Stream cannabis on Twitch? What you can and can’t do with weed on the Twitch streaming platform

We are currently in a streaming era, be it games, movies, selling products, comedy and everything in between. Twitch, one of the very popular video game streaming platforms, introduced live content and since then started making big changes. Just recently, the platform made some changes that allow cannabis-inspired usernames and also allow users to smoke weed during live streams.

Cannabis inspired usernames

While Twitch has announced it is cracking down on some bland usernames, users with handles pointing to cannabis need not worry. In announcing the policy update, Twitch reiterated that the platform aims to be a place where all users feel safe and at home. The platform reiterated that it does not want users to be exposed to hateful or harassing content.

The update explained that users with usernames related to cannabis, tobacco and alcohol, but not so-called hard drugs, can feel at home. The new policy seems consistent with Amazon’s current stance, which took such a position earlier this year. Twitch further clarified that the policy update effectively bans usernames that suggest threats of violence, hate speech, references to genitals, sexual conduct, liquids, and arousal.

The Twitch username policy page has highlighted more policy update details on what is not allowed and related in regards to drug related references. So the policy says;

• References to substance abuse, recreational drugs, and hard drugs (exceptions include tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol)

It’s not currently clear why references to drugs would encourage a culture of harassment on the video game streaming platform. However, proponents are motivated for Twitch to create an exemption for tobacco, cannabis and alcohol because they believe marijuana will remain legal at the federal level.

It also remains unclear why psychedelic cactus peyote was specifically cited as an example of psychoactive substances that cannot be used as a username. To clarify the whole situation, Marijuana contacted Moment Twitch for a statement, but a representative didn’t show up.

It’s important to note that Amazon is Twitch’s parent company and the company has made headlines for having a progressive cannabis policy internally. So far, Amazon has instituted progressive policies on cannabis drug testing and has publicly backed Congressional legislation to end prohibition.

Additionally, logistically, banning cannabis-inspired usernames would be more trouble than it’s worth. For example, people fairly familiar with online gambling will recognize that “420” is a username dictionary symbol. In an attempt to explain the policy update, Twitch commented on a blog post that usernames matter.

Twitch explained in the blog post that usernames are text avatars in chat and are an important part of branding for users. They are searchable and have wide visibility on the platform. Considering their use on the video game streaming platform, Twitch believes usernames need to be of a higher and more universal standard compared to other places where people communicate.

Twitch added that since the last policy update, many reported offensive usernames have been deleted. The company believes that creating a higher standard is required to develop an inclusive and diverse global community on the video game streaming platform.

smoking at work

If you’re a Twitch streamer promoting cannabis-related content and marijuana products, the good news from Twitch is that you can now smoke at work!

However, you must ensure that you do not agree with the platform’s terms of service lest you risk being banned. Smoking in the workplace depends solely on the location you’re streaming from. So if you live in cannabis-legalized states like Colorado or California, then you’re good to go.

Please note that smoking while line streaming is only allowed in states where both medical and recreational cannabis are legal and not just medical cannabis use. Also, understand that some of your viewers may be located outside of your state or region and could sue you for promoting illegal drug use.

Twitch Rules

Twitch’s Community Guidelines expressly state that offering, encouraging, soliciting, or displaying illegal activity, whether active or content, is illegal. But things are a bit tricky.

As it stands, federal law in America considers cannabis plants illegal, but some states have legalized the plant and contradict federal law. However, as far as you are consuming marijuana in a cannabis-legalized state with legalized recreational cannabis, you are in the clear.

While reports state that smoking weed during live streams on Twitch isn’t against the platform’s policies, the company doesn’t agree or encourage it. This applies in particular to viewers under the age of 21.

Below is a list of precautions you can take to responsibly and safely smoke weed on Twitch live streams;

While the third precaution may sound outwardly, you should not smoke cannabis on camera, especially if you have been previously reported. You can just swipe out of camera view if you need to to make sure you’re in the clear. Also, if you’re targeting all age groups, it’s not necessarily the best thing to use cannabis for.

Conclusion

Since Twitch does not like marijuana use as it is still illegal at the federal level in the United States, one should use it privately. At least for now. If you live in a cannabis-legalized region or state where it is legal to use cannabis recreationally and you are targeting an adult audience only, you should be aware of this. Indeed, the ongoing updating of Twitch’s policies is an indication that full legalization of cannabis in the United States is only a matter of time. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later.

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