TikTok Compliance Guide for Cannabis Brands 2024

Here’s what cannabis brands need to know about TikTok compliance in 2024:

TikTok bans content showing or promoting cannabis
No direct ads or sales of cannabis products allowed
Focus on education and culture, not product promotion
Follow age restrictions and content guidelines
Use caution with influencer partnerships

Key compliance tactics:

Do	Don’t
Create educational content	Show cannabis use
Discuss cannabis culture	Promote specific products
Share personal stories	Use sales language
Follow age restrictions	Target underage users
Label sponsored content	Break copyright rules

To stay compliant:

Know TikTok’s policies
Create engaging content within guidelines
Monitor analytics to measure success
Be ready to adapt to policy changes
Focus on responsible, rule-following marketing

TikTok‘s Rules and Policies

Basic Content Rules

TikTok has rules for all content on its platform. These apply to everyone, including cannabis brands:

No graphic or violent content
No hate speech
No content showing or promoting drugs, including marijuana

Cannabis brands must be careful when making TikTok content.

Rules for Regulated Products

TikTok has specific rules for regulated products like cannabis and CBD:

Not Allowed on TikTok
Trading regulated goods
Selling regulated goods
Promoting regulated goods
Using regulated goods
Content showing drug use
Content encouraging drug making or trading

TikTok’s View on Cannabis and CBD

TikTok is strict about cannabis and CBD:

Content Type	Allowed on TikTok
Showing or promoting marijuana	No
Promoting cannabis products	No
Educational content about cannabis	Yes
Cannabis culture content	Yes

Cannabis brands must be careful to follow TikTok’s rules when creating content.

Cannabis Compliance Tactics

Working Within Content Limits

To follow TikTok’s rules, cannabis brands must make content that fits the platform’s requirements. While promoting cannabis products isn’t allowed, teaching about cannabis is okay.

Allowed Content	Not Allowed Content
Educational videos	Product promotions
Cannabis culture	Direct sales pitches
Personal stories	Drug use imagery

Tips for Making Good Content:

Talk about how cannabis can help, not specific products
Use clear pictures to share information
Make sure all facts are correct
Don’t use words that sound like ads

Allowed Topics and Themes

Cannabis brands can talk about cannabis in ways that follow the rules by focusing on:

Cannabis culture: Show art, music, and lifestyle related to cannabis
Teaching: Make videos that explain cannabis benefits and uses
Personal stories: Share how cannabis has helped people, without naming products

Tips for Talking About Cannabis:

Focus on social parts of cannabis use
Use real stories to show how cannabis helps
Check that all information is true

How to Show Your Cannabis Brand

Cannabis brands should present themselves on TikTok in a way that follows the rules:

Do	Don’t
Be honest about your products	Use sales language
Show your brand’s personality	Promote specific items
Use eye-catching visuals	Break platform rules

Tips for Showing Your Brand:

Show what your brand believes in
Use pictures and words that fit your brand’s style
Make sure everything you say is true

Making Content That Follows Rules

Creating TikTok content as a cannabis brand requires care to follow the platform’s rules. Focus on teaching, culture, and interesting content to build a strong presence while staying responsible.

Educational Cannabis Content

Teaching about cannabis is a good way to engage users on TikTok within the rules. Try making:

Videos on how to grow or cook with cannabis
Explanations of cannabis science and effects
Stories of how cannabis has helped people
Expert Q&A sessions

Tips for educational content:

Do	Don’t
Use clear, simple words	Use sales language
Focus on cannabis benefits	Promote specific products
Use eye-catching visuals	Break TikTok’s rules
Check all facts	Use complex terms

Cannabis Culture Content Ideas

Cannabis culture offers many topics for TikTok. Consider making:

Music videos with cannabis themes
Showcases of cannabis-inspired art
Videos of cannabis-friendly activities
Content about cannabis events or festivals

Tips for culture content:

Focus On	Avoid
Art and lifestyle	Product promotion
Respectful language	Stereotypes
Diverse portrayals	Stigmatizing content
Creative expression	Encouraging drug use

Safe Ways to Engage Followers

Engaging with followers is key on TikTok. Try these safe methods:

Answer comments and messages quickly
Use hashtags to join bigger conversations
Work with other cannabis-friendly creators
Host live Q&A sessions

Engagement tips:

Do	Don’t
Build relationships	Use sales language
Use inclusive language	Endorse products
Follow TikTok’s rules	Ignore community guidelines
Focus on trust-building	Share private information

Managing Your TikTok Account

Setting Up a Rule-Following Account

To set up a TikTok account for a cannabis brand that follows the rules:

Pick a name: Choose a username and profile name without cannabis words.
Fill out your profile: Add a picture and info, but don’t mention cannabis.
Set account to private: This limits who can see your content.
Read TikTok’s rules: Know what you can and can’t post about cannabis.

Age Limits and Audience Targeting

To reach the right people on TikTok:

Do This	Why It Matters
Set age limits	Only show content to users 18+
Use location targeting	Post only where cannabis is legal
Target interested users	Find people who like cannabis topics

Handling Comments and Interactions

To manage user comments and keep your account safe:

Action	How to Do It
Answer comments	Talk to users, but don’t promote cannabis
Use TikTok’s tools	Control comments that might break rules
Report bad content	Tell TikTok about posts that break rules

Advertising Limits for Cannabis

TikTok’s Ad Rules for Cannabis

TikTok has strict rules for cannabis-related ads. Cannabis brands must know these rules to avoid account problems. TikTok’s ad policies say ads must follow all laws about what can be in ads and who they can target.

Main rules for cannabis ads:

Rule	What it means
No direct ads	Can’t directly advertise cannabis or related products
No cannabis words	Can’t use words like "cannabis," "marijuana," or "weed"
No ads for young users	Can’t show ads to users under 18
No cannabis pictures	Can’t show pictures of cannabis or related products

Other Ways to Promote Your Brand

Even with TikTok’s strict ad rules, cannabis brands can still promote themselves:

Work with influencers: Team up with popular cannabis influencers to reach their followers
Make good content: Create interesting videos about your brand without breaking rules
Use customer content: Ask customers to make videos with your products

Working with Influencers

When working with cannabis influencers, follow these tips:

Tip	Why it’s important
Pick influencers carefully	Choose those who follow TikTok’s rules
Show when content is paid for	Tell viewers when an influencer is paid
Check influencer posts	Make sure their videos follow TikTok’s rules

Legal Issues to Consider

Following Federal and State Laws

Cannabis brands on TikTok must follow both federal and state laws about cannabis marketing. This means knowing the rules in your area for advertising cannabis products.

Key Points:

Know federal and state laws for cannabis marketing
Follow age limits and targeting rules
Check local rules for cannabis content

Required Warnings and Disclaimers

Cannabis-related content needs warnings to avoid legal problems. This includes telling people about risks and who the content is for.

What to Include	Why It’s Important
Label promotional content	Shows when something is an ad
Warn about cannabis risks	Tells users about possible dangers
State age limits	Makes clear who should see the content

Trademarks and Copyright in Cannabis

Knowing about brand rights on TikTok helps avoid legal issues. This means protecting your brand and respecting others’ rights.

What to Do:

Register and protect your brand’s trademarks and copyrights
Don’t use other brands’ protected materials without asking
Be careful with copyrighted music or images in your videos

Do	Don’t
Use your own logos and slogans	Copy other brands’ designs
Create original content	Use copyrighted music without permission
Ask before using others’ work	Assume it’s okay to use anything you find online

Avoiding and Handling Rule Breaks

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Cannabis brands on TikTok should watch out for these common errors:

Mistake	Why It’s a Problem
Posting ads without warnings	Breaks TikTok’s rules
Using others’ music or images	Could lead to copyright issues
Ignoring age limits	Goes against platform policies
Showing cannabis use	Not allowed by TikTok

To stay safe:

Read TikTok’s rules carefully
Label ads and add warnings
Use your own music and images
Follow age rules
Don’t show cannabis use in videos

What to Do if Content is Removed

If TikTok takes down your content:

1. Check which rule you broke

2. Ask TikTok to look again:

Use the app or website to appeal
Show proof you followed the rules
Wait for TikTok’s answer

3. Stop future problems:

Check videos before posting
Use TikTok’s age limits and warnings
Keep an eye on your account

How to Appeal TikTok’s Decisions

If TikTok says no to your first appeal:

1. Try again with more proof 2. Talk to TikTok’s help team 3. Ask an expert for help

Know your rights on TikTok:

You can ask them to check decisions again
You can see your account info
You can ask TikTok’s team for help

Step	What to Do
1	Read TikTok’s rules
2	Ask TikTok to check again
3	Wait for an answer
4	Be careful with future posts
5	Get more help if needed

Measuring Success While Following Rules

Key Metrics for Rule-Following Content

To check how well your cannabis content does on TikTok while following the rules, look at these numbers:

Metric	What It Means	Why It’s Important
Likes, shares, comments	How much people interact with your posts	Shows if people like your content
New followers	How many new people follow you over time	Tells you if your account is growing
Website visits or sales	How many people do what you want them to do	Shows if your content leads to business
Views	How many people see your content	Tells you how far your message spreads

By watching these numbers, you can make better content and get more people to buy from you.

Using TikTok’s Analytics Tools

TikTok gives you tools to see how your account is doing:

Account overview: Shows how your whole account is doing
Content insights: Tells you about each video you post
Audience insights: Gives you info about the people who follow you

These tools help you understand who watches your videos and what they like.

Comparing to Other Cannabis Brands

To see how well you’re doing compared to other cannabis brands on TikTok:

Look at what other brands are doing
Find out what you can do better
Learn new ways to make good content

This helps you stay up-to-date and do better than other brands.

What to Compare	Why It Matters
How often people like and share your posts	Shows if your content is as good as others
How fast you get new followers	Tells you if you’re growing as fast as other brands
What kind of content does well	Helps you make videos people want to watch

Future Changes to TikTok Rules

Possible Policy Updates

TikTok might change its rules for cannabis brands. Here are some changes we might see:

Possible Update	What It Means
Stricter CBD rules	Clearer labels and limits on health claims
More checks on influencers	Making sure influencers follow the rules
New rules for cannabis challenges	Stopping risky or harmful challenges

Getting Ready for New Rules

To be ready for new rules, cannabis brands can:

Check TikTok’s rules often
Watch for news about cannabis laws
Use other ways to market besides TikTok

Keeping Up with TikTok Updates

To know about new TikTok rules:

What to Do	Why It Helps
Read TikTok’s blog	Get news straight from TikTok
Join TikTok’s creator groups	Learn from other TikTok users
Set up Google Alerts	Get emails about TikTok news

Conclusion

Main Compliance Tips Recap

Here’s a quick summary of how cannabis brands can follow TikTok’s rules:

Tip	What to Do
Know what’s not allowed	Don’t show or promote drugs, including marijuana
Make good content	Focus on teaching, informing, or entertaining
Use smart marketing	Find ways to reach your audience without breaking rules
Work with the right people	Choose partners who follow TikTok’s guidelines
Check your content often	Make sure your posts still follow the rules

Social media rules change often. Cannabis brands need to:

Watch for new rules
Change their plans to fit new guidelines
Be ready to quickly adjust their content

Final Thoughts on Responsible Marketing

Being responsible is key for cannabis brands on TikTok. By following the rules and being smart about content, brands can:

Goal	How to Achieve It
Reach the right people	Make content that fits TikTok’s rules
Avoid getting banned	Stay up-to-date with platform policies
Build a strong following	Create good content that doesn’t break rules

FAQs

What are the rules for TikTok cannabis?

TikTok doesn’t allow:

Not Allowed	Explanation
Selling cannabis	Can’t offer marijuana products for sale
Promoting cannabis	No ads or posts encouraging cannabis use
Showing cannabis use	Videos of people using marijuana aren’t allowed

TikTok might remove content about things that are against the law in most places.

What is TikTok policy compliance?

To follow TikTok’s rules:

Don’t lie about products or services
Don’t post about illegal things, including cannabis
Follow all laws, including cannabis laws

What can’t you promote on TikTok?

TikTok doesn’t allow promoting:

Not Allowed	Examples
Political content	Candidates, parties, government officials
Tobacco	Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes
Drugs	Marijuana, most CBD products
Other regulated items	Alcohol, guns

Does TikTok allow CBD products?

TikTok only allows some CBD products:

Must be made from hemp
Must follow local laws
Content and websites must meet TikTok’s rules

What can’t you advertise on TikTok?

You can’t advertise:

Not Allowed	Details
Tobacco	All tobacco products
Drugs	Marijuana and most CBD
Regulated items	Alcohol, guns
Political ads	Any political content
Adult content	Anything not family-friendly
Hate speech	Content that attacks groups