Since launching in 2005, YouTube has earned a solid reputation as being one of the most-visited sites on the World Wide Web.

However, the video-sharing service could be about to lose some seriously valuable traffic, as YouTube punishes cannabis content and purges weed-centric pages from the platform.

Cannabis channels on YouTube are drying up

Whatever you are searching for, chances are you’re going to find it on YouTube.

In 2014, an incredible 300 hours of video was being uploaded to the website every single minute of every single day.

If you thought that was impressive, consider the fact that the video-sharing platform boasts over one billion users.

That’s the equivalent to almost a third of all active global Internet users.

Cannabis legislation seems to be the word on everybody’s lips these days and so, it’s not really surprising that a big chunk of YouTube’s visitors are flocking from the cannabis community.

Well… they were, at least.

The formerly jam-packed cannabis channels on YouTube appear to be losing a lot of their content as of late and with it, an even bigger chunk of their audiences.

Add to this a loss in revenue stream and we have a serious problem.

Cannabis channels on YouTube offer education for consumers and growers

It’s a shame that YouTube is punishing cannabis content.

After all, cannabis channels offer viewers an opportunity to educate themselves about one of the most exciting up-and-coming industries on the planet.

From the videos that inform viewers about cannabis cultivation techniques to the tutorials that spotlight the best strains of weed on the market right now, there’s a video to satisfy everyone’s inner stoner.

Let’s not forget about the medical-focused cannabis videos on YouTube, too. Recently, the cannabis plant has gained global attention for its therapeutic benefits and potential to treat various medical conditions and ailments, including epilepsy.

By informing the general public about cannabis’ healing properties, content creators are essentially contributing to cannabis reform in the U.S. and the rest of the world for that matter.

The sad truth is that YouTube really is cracking down on cannabis. Call it a purge, call it what you want, it’s happening as we speak.

Cannabis channels on YouTube are being removed without warning

It all kicked off in April of this year, when cannabis content creators discovered that their uploads were being flagged for review.

The worst part about it is that most of the channels did not feature content that breached YouTube’s rules.

Frustratingly, YouTube dismissed questions and complaints by simply sending out automated responses to those affected by the purge.

At the current time, the real reason behind the website’s decision to eradicate cannabis content is unknown. What we do know is that channels are being removed without any warning whatsoever.

Let’s take a look at some cannabis channels on YouTube that have already been deleted:

• Greenbox Grown (13,000 subscribers)
• That High Couple (28,000 subscribers)
• GreenGenes Garden (43,000 subscribers)
• UrbanRemo (190,000 subscribers)

Despite receiving messages of complaint from major content creators like UrbanRemo, YouTube has remained silent on the subject.

YouTube content guidelines prevent cannabis content creators from making ad revenue

Anyone who does not abide by YouTube’s content guidelines will be slammed with up to three “strikes”. Once they are struck a third time, their content gets erased for good.

So, were the cannabis channels that got removed from YouTube encouraging “dangerous or illegal activities” such as “bomb-making, choking games, hard drug use, or other acts where serious injury may result”?

Nope, but the video-sharing platform got rid of them anyway.

Now, let’s talk about ad placements.

This could be a major factor in YouTube’s cannabis content purge.

Recently, the website introduced brand new algorithms that filtered out “offensive content” and in turn, punished those channels, with cannabis-related content being no exception.

“YouTube can’t make ad revenue from cannabis content… They updated their algorithm to prevent ‘unsuitable’ content from getting ads delivered against their content, and the whole system has been crumbling ever since,” said the creators of terminated cannabis channel That High Couple during an interview with Leafly.

Cannabis-friendly video sharing platform could resolve the issue

All is not lost for cannabis content creators, however.

Weedtube.com is a fresh new startup that is capitalizing on YouTube’s purge.

The cannabis-friendly platform allows users to share their cannabis content without restrictions.

So, if you want to view or share cannabis videos, this could be your best bet.

If you are a cannabis content creator who has been lucky enough to avoid YouTube’s purge up until now, it’s probably a good idea to start backing up your content.