15% of US citizens report that they have at least smoked marijuana once in their lives (Gallup). Most of them use this product to reduce stress or improve their overall health. You can take this as an advantage to create suitable content for your target audience and boost your earning chances.
To help you start more easily, we’ve compiled the top 20 best marijuana affiliate programs in this article. Let’s dive in to see if any of them align with your content or audience to join.
Quick Comparison
| Program Name | Commission (%) | Cookie Duration (Days) | Niche Suitable | Affiliate’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensi Seeds | 20–30% (tiered) | 30 | Cannabis seeds, growers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
| SeedsMan | 35% + 5% sub-affiliate | 90 | Cannabis seeds, genetics blog | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) |
| QuickMedCards | 20% | 90 | Medical marijuana, patient services | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
| Dr.Weedy | 5–10% | 30 | Medical cannabis card services | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5) |
| Weedmaps | $3/sign-up | 30 | Cannabis marketplace, local listings | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5) |
| TribeTokes | 15% | 30 | CBD vapes, wellness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
| BMWO | 15% | Not specified | Cannabis products, edibles, CBD | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
| Supherb | 15% | Not specified | Vape cartridges, cannabis oils | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
| Herbalize Store | 8–15% | Not specified | Vaporizers, dry herb devices | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
| Green Herb Care | 20–30% | 90 | CBD, THC, Delta-8, wellness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) |
Top 20 Worth-Joining Marijuana Affiliate Programs
1. Sensi Seeds

Sensi Seeds is one of the largest cannabis seed banks in the world, with over 500 varieties. Their natural product line focuses on premium quality, including cannabis, feminized, and autoflowering seeds.
After joining their marijuana affiliate program, you can earn up to a 30% commission on each order based on the sale value.
- Less than €5000: 20% commission
- From €5000 to €8000: 25% commission
- More than €8000: 30% commission
The cookie duration lasts for 30 days, starting from customers’ first click on your link. If a customer clicks on your link only and makes a sale, you’ll earn a full commission. However, if a customer is brought by many affiliates, the first and last ones will get credit for that customer’s purchase. Each will get 50% of the commission.
Sensi Seeds only pays affiliates via bank transfer from the 16th to the 18th of each month. You’ll receive your payouts once your account balance is at least €100.
You’ll get various links and banners from the brand to put in your promotional campaigns. Plus, their dedicated team is available 24/7 to give promotional advice and helpful tips for you.
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2. SeedsMan

SeedsMan is a top-quality seed bank for preserving cannabis genetics and developing premium seeds. Additionally, they develop new genetics to improve the quality of cannabis seeds.
You can join the SeedsMan marijuana affiliate program and enjoy a 35% commission on all product sales. Plus, you can earn 5% commission on each sale via your sub-affiliate’s link. The cookie duration remains active for 90 days upon customers’ first click on your link.
SeedsMan pays their affiliate via wire transfer, PayPal, and Bitcoin. The minimum payment threshold for all payment methods is €100.
If you want to promote SeedsMan via social media, your profile must have at least 1,100 followers. You can also use your website with at least 500 monthly visitors.
The brand gives affiliates a large selection of banners and links to select for their promotional campaigns. You can also utilize the brand’s 10% discount code to encourage your audience to purchase more.
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3. QuickMedCards

QuickMedCards connects patients in the US with licensed healthcare professionals for medical marijuana use. They provide licensed doctors across all US states to give fast support for emergency cases.
The QuickMedCards marijuana affiliate program allows affiliates to earn a 20% commission on every qualified patient they refer. You’ll earn an approved commission if customers purchase within a 90-day cookie duration.
You can apply for their marijuana affiliate program via the network FlexOffers. Once you join the program, the brand will provide large and colorful banners of their products. You can embed these banners in high-traffic areas of your website to increase engagement.
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4. Dr.Weedy

Dr.Weedy delivers high-quality medical cannabis solutions for US citizens in all states. They help patients access available medical cannabis recommendations and cards with legitimate information.
After joining their marijuana affiliate program, you can earn from a 5% to 10% commission rate on different packages.
- Regular orders: 10% commission
- Dispensary stores: 5% commission
- Doctors: 5% commission
The cookie duration lasts for 30 days once customers click on your unique link. You’ll receive a commission if they purchase within this time frame.
If you invite more than five people to Dr.Weedy, you’ll receive a free digital medical card. You can also use a 10% discount code from the brand to attract more audience and boost conversions.
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5. Weedmaps

Weedmaps helps users find marijuana businesses, such as dispensaries, delivery services, and doctors. They also provide educational content about cannabis and its legal status in different countries.
Managed by CJ Affiliate, the Weedmaps marijuana affiliate program offers affiliates a $3 commission on every account sign-up. You can benefit from any customer’s purchase made within a 30-day cookie duration.
You can access their large product categories to select suitable items for your promotional campaigns. Moreover, you should ask their in-house affiliate management for tips on boosting sales and attraction.
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6. TribeTokes

TribeTokes develops premium cannabis products to enhance users’ sleeping quality and mental health. Their products contain natural ingredients with a suitable amount of marijuana even for new users.
You can join their marijuana affiliate program via ShareASale. As their affiliate, you’ll earn a 15% commission on every successful product sale. You’ll get around $15 with an average order value of $102. You can earn a commission for every purchase made within a 30-day cookie duration.
TribeTokes provides affiliates with various vanity codes for customer placements. You can use these codes to attract more audience and generate more sales.
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7. BMWO

BMWO sells a large selection of cannabis products, from natural flowers and marijuana to CBD gummies. Their products are made in multiple forms, such as vapes, gummies, edibles, soap, and more.
Joining the BMWO marijuana affiliate program can earn you a 15% commission rate for every qualified sale. The brand pays affiliates in the first week of each month. However, you must reach a $50 payment threshold to withdraw payouts.
You can track sales and traffic performance in your unique affiliate dashboard. Moreover, you can embed the banners and links in your blogs or social media platforms to attract a larger audience.
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8. Supherb

Supherb uses innovative technology in producing portable vape cartridges with cannabis oil. Their vapes ensure heat distribution to avoid burning and maximize the natural flavors.
You can only join their marijuana affiliate program directly on the website. The commission rate for each qualified order is 15%. You can receive affiliate payouts once a month via PayPal or e-transfer.
As their affiliate, you can access their promotion tools to select suitable materials for your campaigns. You can embed ad banners or use their articles on your website to gain more trust from the audience. Supherb also regularly gives out special offers to help you boost conversion rates.
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9. Herbalize Store

Herbalize Store handpicks high-quality cannabis products from top brands like Arizer, DaVinci, Storz & Bickel, and more. Their store mainly stocks dry herb vaporizers, concentrate devices, and stylish accessories.
After joining their marijuana affiliate program via ShareASale, you can earn from 8% to 15% commission across all sales. Since the average order value is up to $200, you can get $30 per qualified order.
You can find your sales performance report and analysis in your affiliate dashboard. Plus, the brand supplies various banners and text links to boost your marketing efforts. Moreover, you can ask their affiliate team for tips on creating promotional content.
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10. Green Herb Care

Green Herb Care offers medical marijuana and CBD products for improving wellness. Their products contain different types of cannabinoids, such as CBD, delta 8, THC, and THCA.
The Green Herb Care marijuana affiliate program allows affiliates to earn a 20% commission rate per sale. For coupon affiliates, the commission will be 30% on each qualified purchase. You can earn up to $24 for a sale with an average order value of $40 to $80.
The cookie duration remains active for 30 days from customers’ initial click on your link. If they purchase within this period, you’ll earn an approved commission.
You can freely access their product feeds to select suitable items for your target audience. They also create coupon codes for affiliates to help encourage more sales.
Plus, you’ll receive newsletters regularly about new updates on their program. The brand also rewards high-performance affiliates with bonuses and an annual commission increase.
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11. Cannadips
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Cannadips delivers smokeless cannabis products, especially infused dip pouches. Their infuses have different natural flavors, such as Mint Ice, Tropical Mango, Banana Runtz, and more.
12. Gorrila Grow Tent
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Gorrila Grow Tent creates innovative growing tents for mushrooms, marijuana, and other indoor gardening. Their tents are built with thick canvas, sturdy frames, and adjustable height extensions.
13. DaVinci Vaporizers
- Commission rate: 15%
- Cookie duration: 60 days
DaVinci Vaporizers sells various portable vape options and accessories in modern designs. Their DaVinci IQC product line features high-quality cannabis vaporizers with a 6-hour battery life.
14. Crop King Seeds
- Commission rate: 20%
- Cookie duration: 90 days
Crop King Seeds has been studied the genetics of cannabis plants to produce medical and commercial products. Their seed bank includes types of cannabis strains like feminized, autoflowering, medical, and regular seeds.
15. Session Goods
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Session Goods designs modern, elegant, and minimalist smoking accessories for cannabis users. All of their products are crafted with aesthetic style and low-maintenance features.
16. A Pot for Pot
- Commission rate: 15%
- Cookie duration: 90 days
A Pot for Pot provides all-in-one cannabis grow kits for both indoor and outdoor gardening. Their kits simplify the marijuana growing process and maintain the quality with minimal hassle.
17. Fast Buds
- Commission rate: 15%
- Cookie duration: Not mentioned
Fast Buds is among the leading seed banks worldwide, specializing in autoflowering cannabis seeds. Their cannabis seeds can grow in different climates and retain the same quality.
18. HempStaff
- Commission rate: $500-1000
- Cookie duration: Not mentioned
HempStaff connects cannabis businesses with top professionals in the industry to grow their market. They also offer industry-leading training programs and agent certification in cannabis-related roles.
19. ILGM
- Commission rate: 20%
- Cookie duration: Not mentioned
ILGM is a trusted platform for finding high-quality cannabis seeds and cultivation resources. Besides, they also provide tips and guides on how to grow marijuana correctly.
20. GreenAffiliates
- Commission rate: 25%
- Cookie duration: Not mentioned
GreenAffiliates is the leading affiliate marketing network for the cannabis industry. They connect affiliates with top brands and shops to promote high-quality cannabis products.
How to Choose the Right Marijuana Affiliate Program for Your Audience
Having a list of top-tier affiliate programs is only the first step. The real challenge—and where most beginners fail—is picking the partner that fits your specific business.
A program offering 50% commission might sound incredible. But if they sell expensive hydroponic equipment and your audience wants $20 rolling papers, you won’t make a dime.
On the flip side, a lower commission program with a high conversion rate could be your golden goose.
In this section, we move beyond raw numbers. We will look at the strategy. We’ll break down how to match programs to your traffic and how to calculate the only metric that actually matters: Earnings Per Click (EPC).
Matching Programs to Your Traffic Source and Content Type
To maximize revenue, you must align your affiliate offers with traffic intent. A detailed review reader has a vastly different mindset than a TikTok scroller.
📝 SEO & Blogs (Research Mode):
Readers take time to decide. Prioritize programs with long cookie windows (60–90 days)—like grow equipment or seeds—so you get credit for delayed purchases.
📱 Social Media (Short Attention):
Platforms have strict rules. Focus on visually appealing, “safe” products like luxury accessories or CBD topicals that won’t flag your account.
📩 Email Lists (Retention):
You own the relationship. Target recurring commissions (e.g., subscription boxes) to earn monthly income from a single referral.
👀 Review Sites (High Intent):
Visitors are ready to buy now. Choose partners with massive inventory and high conversion rates to ensure you capture the sale.
If you run a home-growing blog, avoid generic CBD programs.
Even if a seed bank offers a lower commission percentage, it is the better fit because it matches your audience’s specific goal. Relevance always drives higher sales.
Real-World Example: Imagine you run a niche blog about home growing.
Bad Fit: A generic CBD oil program offering 25% commission. Your audience isn’t looking for relief; they are looking to grow.
=> Good Fit: A seed bank offering 15% commission. Even though the percentage is lower, the relevance will still mean your sales will skyrocket.
Evaluating Commission Rate vs. Conversion Rate (The Real ROI Formula)
New affiliates often fall into the “percentage trap,” chasing high commission rates while ignoring actual earning potential. This is a rookie mistake; you deposit dollars into your bank account, not percentages.
Instead of focusing on rates, focus on EPC (Earnings Per Click).
Consider this comparison:
Program A: 30% commission, $100 Average Order Value (AOV), but a low 2% conversion rate due to a poor site.
Result: 100 clicks ⇒ 2 orders ⇒ $60 commission ⇒0.60 EPC
Program B: 20% commission, $150 AOV, and a high 8% conversion rate due to a trusted brand.
Result: 100 clicks ⇒ 8 orders ⇒ $240 commission ⇒2.4 EPC
Program B generates 4x more revenue despite the lower commission percentage. As the adage goes, “I’d rather have 10% of a watermelon than 100% of a grape.”
Never choose a partner based on commission percentage alone. Always do the math on total revenue potential.
Geographic Restrictions and Legal Compliance Considerations
A perfect product is useless if it cannot be shipped to your audience.
Unlike software, cannabis promotion is strictly bound by geography; ignoring this map leads to account bans or legal trouble.
THC/Marijuana: Strictly limited to states where cannabis is legal (approx. 24 recreational / 38 medical).
CBD & Hemp: Generally valid across all 50 states thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill.
Step 1: Check Your Data
Review “User Attributes” in Google Analytics. Apply the 60% Rule:
- If 60%+ of your traffic is from legal states (e.g., CA, NY, CO), prioritize high-ticket THC programs.
- If your audience is scattered nationwide, stick to CBD or accessories (pipes, grow tents) that have no shipping restrictions.
Step 2: Use “Smart Links”
To monetize mixed traffic, use geo-targeted smart links. These automatically route visitors based on their location:
Legal State Visitor → Directed to a THC dispensary offer.
Restricted State Visitor → Redirected to a nationwide CBD or equipment offer.
Pro Tip: Always ask affiliate managers for “fallback URLs” for ineligible traffic. Without them, you waste every click that originates from a restricted state.
Red Flags: Warning Signs of Low-Quality Cannabis Affiliate Programs
Finding a program that fits your audience is only half the battle; trustworthiness is the final, non-negotiable filter.
The cannabis industry is rife with “green rush” opportunists, and promoting a shady operator can destroy your reputation.

Before signing up, you must screen every program for specific red flags. If you spot more than one, walk away.
Start by looking at the financial terms. Avoid programs with payment thresholds over $100, as these companies often bank on affiliates quitting before they can cash out.
Similarly, reject any offer with a cookie duration under 30 days.
Complex purchases like grow gear require research, and short tracking windows likely won’t credit you for the sale.
Furthermore, legitimate partnerships are free; if a program demands an application fee or forces you to buy a “starter kit,” run immediately.
Operational transparency is equally vital.
Verify that the company provides Certificates of Analysis (COAs); hiding lab results is a major safety risk you cannot afford to take with your audience’s health.
You should also test their support team with a pre-signup email. If they ignore you now, they will likely ghost you when a payment goes missing.
Finally, ensure they offer clear promotional guidelines to keep you safe from FDA violations. High commissions are worthless if they never arrive, so always prioritize reliability and legal safety over flashy percentages.
What Are the Best Marketing Strategies for Marijuana Affiliate Programs?
If you try to run a standard Facebook Ad for a cannabis product, your account will be banned instantly.
This is the reality of marijuana affiliate marketing. Major ad platforms—Google, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), and TikTok—strictly ban cannabis and CBD ads.
While other niches can simply buy traffic, you must be smarter. You have to build organic systems that attract users who are already looking for you.
The most successful affiliates don’t rely on paid ads. They focus on channels they control: SEO, email lists, and community building.
Here are the specific strategies that work right now to bypass the bans and reach a massive audience.
Strategy 1: SEO Content Marketing (The “Golden Goose”)
For cannabis affiliates, SEO is a lifeline, not just a strategy. With social media ads off the table, Google is your gateway to over 15 million monthly searches.
Unlike paid ads, a top-ranking article delivers consistent, passive traffic for years.
Target “money keywords” (2,000–10,000 monthly searches) with high purchase intent. Focus on:
Buying Guides: e.g., “Best CBD Oils for Anxiety.”
Comparisons: “Product A vs. Product B.” These capture readers ready to choose.
Product-Led How-Tos: “How to Set Up a Grow Tent” allows you to link equipment naturally.
Don’t bury your affiliate links at the bottom.
- Upfront Recommendations: State your #1 choice in the first paragraph.
- Comparison Tables: Place visual tables early; these often generate 40–50% of clicks.
- Multiple Click Points: Link the text, the product image, and a distinct “Check Price” button.
Avoid “black hat” tactics like buying spammy links.
Google penalizes the cannabis niche heavily for this. Instead, earn authority through guest posts on legitimate wellness blogs or original data studies.
A few quality links are worth more than 1,000 spammy ones.
Strategy 2: Email Marketing to Cannabis Audiences
Social media accounts vanish and SEO rankings fluctuate, but you own your email list. It is the only channel offering 100% control to nurture cannabis audiences without censorship.
Exchange value for emails using “Lead Magnets”:
Educational Guides: Offer a CBD dosage cheat sheet or a grower’s calendar.
Discounts: Use exit-intent popups offering exclusive codes.
Select cannabis-friendly providers. Many allow CBD but ban THC, so read the Terms of Service carefully.
Once established, apply the 80/20 Rule: 80% value (education, news) and 20% promotion.
Tag subscribers by interest. Sending grow light deals to CBD users causes unsubscribes. Target your offers to increase revenue.
You also need to take note of cannabis-compliant policies:
🎂 Age Gating: Require 21+ confirmation on signup forms.
⚠️ Disclosures: Legally required in every email containing affiliate links.
📚 Language: Avoid medical claims. Use “supports sleep” rather than “cures insomnia” to avoid account bans.
Strategy 3: YouTube Product Reviews and Tutorials
While text explains, YouTube demonstrates.
Visuals build the trust necessary to sell cannabis products. Ignore demonetization; affiliate commissions from high-intent viewers far outweigh lost ad revenue.

Here are the best content, conversion rate-wise:
Unboxings: Show viewers exactly what they get.
Honest Reviews: Discussing cons (like poor battery life) makes your praise credible.
Comparisons: “Product A vs. Product B” target buyers who are ready to choose.
Tutorials: “How-to” content attracts beginners who eventually need recommendations.
Since videos aren’t clickable, strategic placement is key:
- Description: Place your main link in the first two lines so it is visible without clicking “Show More.”
- Pinned Comment: Pin your link and discount code to the top; this is often the first thing mobile viewers see.
- Bridge Pages: Link to a review on your website rather than directly to the store. This protects your channel and allows you to capture emails.
Always mark videos 18+ and avoid smoking directly on camera (focus on the device). Finally, clearly disclose that you use affiliate links to maintain transparency.
Strategy 4: Pinterest for CBD and Wellness Content
If YouTube is for tech, Pinterest is for wellness. It acts as a visual search engine where users actively seek solutions like “anxiety relief,” making it a goldmine for CBD affiliates.
Focus on vertical pins (1000 x 1500 pixels) that stand out:
Text Overlays: Don’t just post photos. Add titles like “5 Best CBD Oils for Sleep.”
Infographics: Educational charts (e.g., “CBD vs. THC”) encourage saves and expand reach.
Direct affiliate links trigger spam filters. Instead, link pins to helpful blog posts on your website. This protects your account and funnels traffic to your content.
Treat your profile like a library, not a timeline.

Categorize: Create boards for specific needs, such as “Natural Sleep Solutions.”
SEO: Use keywords in board titles and descriptions just like Google SEO.
Consistency: Pin 5–10 times daily to signal value to the algorithm.
While others fight on Instagram, Pinterest remains a profitable, low-competition lane for the cannabis wellness niche.
Strategy 5: Community Building (Reddit, Discord, Forums)
SEO and YouTube require patience or gear, but communities offer immediate access to passionate buyers.
Platforms like Reddit, Discord, and forums are powerful but maintain zero tolerance for spam.
Dropping raw affiliate links guarantees a ban, so you must adopt a “help first” approach. Establish yourself as an expert by answering questions rather than acting as a salesperson.
Since you cannot post direct offers, utilize a profile funnel by placing your website link in your bio.
When you provide value, users naturally visit your profile.
Alternatively, exploit the resource loophole by linking to valuable assets like a data spreadsheet or blog guide rather than a store page.
If your content provides genuine utility, the community will share it for you.
Do not attempt every strategy simultaneously. Instead, combine methods that fit your skills. The “Reviewer” combo pairs SEO with YouTube reviews to maximize traffic.
The “Wellness” combo uses Pinterest to drive traffic to an email list for nurturing. The “Expert” combo leverages community reputation to validate deep-dive guides.
Choose the right mix for you, because consistency always outperforms variety.
What Are Common Mistakes in Marijuana Affiliate Marketing?
The cannabis industry is a minefield. In most niches, making a mistake means you lose a sale.
In this niche, making a mistake can mean losing your bank account, your ad account, or facing federal fines.

I have seen talented affiliates build massive sites, only to have them wiped out overnight for ignoring compliance.
The five most common mistakes are: making illegal medical claims, running ads on banned platforms, hiding affiliate disclosures, promoting trash products, and ignoring state laws.
These aren’t just “best practices”—they are survival skills. A single violation can lead to FTC fines of $ 10,000 or more, permanent platform bans, and immediate termination from your affiliate programs.
Avoiding these traps is more important than any optimization tactic. Here is what you must never do.
Mistake 1: Making Medical Claims About CBD or Cannabis
The biggest temptation for new affiliates is to promise results. You want to tell people that CBD “cures” their anxiety or that cannabis “treats” their chronic pain.
Do not do this.
Unless you are selling Epidiolex (the only FDA-approved CBD drug), claiming that a product “treats,” “cures,” or “prevents” any disease is a violation of FDA and FTC regulations.
The Consequence: The FDA sends warning letters regularly. If a merchant sees you making these claims, they will ban you immediately to protect themselves.
The SEO Penalty: Google aggressively penalizes sites that make unproven medical claims. If you promise a cure for cancer, your site will likely be removed from search results.
You can still sell the benefits without breaking the law. You just need to change your vocabulary.
❌ BANNED: “This CBD oil cures insomnia and treats anxiety.”
✅ COMPLIANT: “This CBD oil is designed to support restful sleep and promote a sense of calm.”
❌ BANNED: “Clinically proven to reduce chronic pain.”
✅ COMPLIANT: “Many users report relief from daily discomfort.”
Focus on supporting normal health, not fixing broken health. Always include the standard disclaimer: “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” And always advise readers to consult a doctor.
Mistake 2: Using Prohibited Advertising Platforms
If you try to run a Facebook Ad for a bong or a Google Ad for “weed seeds,” you are lighting your money on fire.
Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Google, TikTok, and Amazon have strict policies against cannabis promotion.
While you might see the occasional CBD ad on Google, those are from massive brands that have gone through a rigorous certification process.
You, the affiliate, do not qualify.
I’ve watched affiliates try to outsmart the AI. They cloak their links or use vague images. It works for 24 hours. Then:
The Ad Disappears: Your campaign is rejected.
The Money Vanishes: Your ad spend is often frozen or forfeited.
The Asset is Burned: Your entire Business Manager gets banned. This prevents you from running ads for any other business you own on that account.
Accept that paid social is off the table. Stop trying to “hack” the system.
Focus your energy on organic channels where cannabis is tolerated—SEO, email newsletters, and specific communities.
If you have budget to burn, look at cannabis-specific ad networks like Mantis, but know that their reach is a fraction of what Google offers.
Mistake 3: Not Properly Disclosing Affiliate Relationships
You might think hiding your affiliate links makes you look more “authentic.” In reality, it makes you a target for federal fines.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is not a suggestion box; it is a regulatory body with teeth.
Since 2009 (and updated heavily in 2023), the FTC has mandated that any financial relationship must be clearly disclosed to the reader.
Failing to do this doesn’t just risk a $10,000+ fine per violation. It is also the fastest way to get kicked out of every reputable affiliate program.
Networks like Impact and ShareASale conduct random audits.
If they find your site lacks proper disclosures, they will ban you and keep your unpaid commissions to cover their own liability.
Many affiliates fear that saying “I earn a commission” will scare readers away.
The data shows the opposite. Studies suggest that transparent affiliate content actually converts 2-3% higher than non-disclosed content.
Why? Because honesty builds trust. When you tell a reader, “I get paid if you buy this, but I still recommend it because it works,” they respect your candor. Hiding it makes you look like a scammer.
Don’t bury your disclosure in the footer or use vague legal jargon.
📌 Location Matters: The disclosure must appear before the reader clicks any affiliate link. The best practice is to put it at the very top of every article.
📝 Language Matters: Use plain English. Avoid terms like “material connection” or “strategic partner.”
Bad: “We have a synergy with brand partners.”
=> Good: “This article contains affiliate links. We earn a commission if you buy through our links at no extra cost to you.”
Video & Social: For YouTube, put it in the description above the “Show More” fold. For Instagram/TikTok, use hashtags like #ad or #affiliate.
Mistake 4: Ignoring State-Specific Cannabis Regulations
You wrote the perfect review for a THC vape pen. You ranked #1 on Google. You drove 10,000 visitors to the merchant. And you made $0.
Why? Because 70% of your traffic came from Texas, Florida, and Georgia—where recreational cannabis is still illegal. The merchant couldn’t ship the product, so the orders were cancelled.
This is the “Geographic Trap” of cannabis marketing.
Unlike promoting software or sneakers, your product is only legal in specific pockets of the country (currently 24 states for recreational, 38 for medical).
Promoting THC products to a national audience is a massive waste of time and can even create legal liability for “promoting illegal activity” across state lines.
Traffic from illegal states has a 0% conversion rate for THC programs.
It is mathematically impossible for them to buy.
Even worse, if you blast a “Buy Weed Online” email to subscribers in Idaho, you aren’t just annoying them—you are signaling that you don’t understand the law, destroying your credibility.
To avoid wasting 50-70% of your traffic, you must be surgical with your targeting.
State-Specific Content:
Don’t write “Best Weed Delivery Services.”
Write “Best Weed Delivery Services in California” or “How to Buy Legal Cannabis in New York.” This naturally filters your SEO traffic to people who can actually buy.
The “Legal Status” Disclaimer:
At the top of THC content, add a bold note: “This guide applies only to residents in states with legal recreational cannabis (CA, CO, NY, etc.).”
Email Segmentation:
If you collect emails, ask for the subscriber’s state. Tag them in your CRM. Send the “THC Gummy” offers to the legal states and the “CBD & Glassware” offers to the rest of the country.
For your national audience, focus exclusively on CBD, seeds, and accessories (pipes, tents, lamps). These are federally legal and can be shipped almost anywhere, ensuring you monetize every visitor regardless of their zip code.
Conclusion
The cannabis market is ripe with opportunity, and affiliate marketing is your direct path to earning from it.
We’ve laid out 20 of the top marijuana affiliate programs ready for you to join, from high-paying seed banks to popular vape and accessory brands.
This list gives you a powerful head start in monetizing your content and partnering with established brands.
For Shopify merchants, the ultimate move is building your own program.
As our guide shows, creating a legally compliant and attractive program turns your brand’s fans into a powerful, revenue-driving sales force.
Whether you join one of these top-tier programs or launch your own, your journey into cannabis affiliate marketing starts now.