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  1. #1

    Marijuana friendly webhost?

    I run a rather popular weed blog << removed >>

    I am trying to find a new host, but many are against weed.

    Any tips? I'm not looking for something really expensive, rather affordable if possible.
    Last edited by writespeak; 10-05-2010 at 11:22 AM.
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  2. #2
    Interesting website. You should check out the offers section here. I am not familiar enough with hosts policies to suggest a host, I'd recommend just emailing them before you sign up to make sure they don't have a problem with it. Use the search feature here to find reviews of hosts before purchasing. Good luck.
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  3. #3
    Thanks for the info, I did join bluehost this morning but talked to the TOS people over the phone and it wasn't allowed, thankfully got a fast refund.

    Definitely need to find something soon, my current contract is over in 5 days and 1and1 is SLOW as hell.

    Hopefully someone replies with a good host to check out, I gotta do some searching myself.
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
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    It shouldn't be an issue if it's just talking about it. Selling and so forth is where you run into issues.

    Free speech should trump a random complaint.
    Cody R.
    Hawk Host Inc. Proudly Serving websites since 2004.
    Official Let's Encrypt Sponsor
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  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by CodyRo View Post
    It shouldn't be an issue if it's just talking about it. Selling and so forth is where you run into issues.

    Free speech should trump a random complaint.
    That is what I told Bluehost this morning. I said, I don't sell weed or anything, what about freedom of speech? They said they might get complaints and such.

    Stupid, I know, but I need a host that isn't going to delete me if they look at the site.

    I personally don't sell anything on the site, I opened a shop on Zazzle to sell tshirts and buttons, but I don't sell any drug items.
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Preston, UK
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    What exactly are your requirements in terms of space/bandwidth etc? Do you have a budget in mind? And do you have a preferred server location?

    Might help narrow down a list for you :-)

    Cheers
    Last edited by thishosting; 07-22-2010 at 08:59 PM. Reason: Extra Question
    James Stevenson | ThisHosting
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
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    Quote Originally Posted by CodyRo View Post
    It shouldn't be an issue if it's just talking about it. Selling and so forth is where you run into issues.

    Free speech should trump a random complaint.
    That's what I was thinking. You should be fine with any host as long as your not selling or running any illegal scripts. If your just discussing marijuana you should be fine.
    Carolina-Host - The final stop for ALL your web site needs!
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2010
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    I know http://prq.se/ supports Free Speech.
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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
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    Quote Originally Posted by evilpig View Post
    That is what I told Bluehost this morning. I said, I don't sell weed or anything, what about freedom of speech? They said they might get complaints and such.

    Stupid, I know, but I need a host that isn't going to delete me if they look at the site.

    I personally don't sell anything on the site, I opened a shop on Zazzle to sell tshirts and buttons, but I don't sell any drug items.
    I am thinking a host from europe may work better for you?

    I cannot name of any hosts besides US hosts at the moment besides http://www.ezpzhosting.co.uk/ which you would have to contact there sales to find out if it is allowed. Should have great speeds in both America and Europe.

    Your site loaded instantly for me though can anyone else confirm if the site is slow?
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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Paradise
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    We host a couple of forums about it, and we contacted to our lawyer and even to the legal department of the DC on where the servers are, all them told us that shouldn't be any problem as long as you don't conduct any illegal activity. Talk about marijuana is not punished by the law.
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  11. #11
    Very Interesting site indeed. I don't see why it should be a problem since your only talking about it. I guess the big host might not let you because they are scared it might hurt their reputation or something along those lines.
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  12. #12
    I appreciate the fast responses to this thread.

    I don't really think I'll use too much bandwidth or space. 1and1 doesn't really show monthly usage, sadly.

    I would love to use cPanel again, not a huge requirement, but I just realized how much I miss it.

    Looking for the cheaper side of things, the site is only now starting to bring in some revenue, so maybe down the road could afford more.

    I'll check out your host Jedito. And ask my anything else if anyone has questions.

    Although I prefer a host in North America, I could look at the speeds from a Europe host and see how that goes.
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  13. #13
    This is most certinately a good subject, surely hosting companies have a legal department for that sort of thing.

    If I was to go to someone in the street and talk about weed I could not get arrested for it because as said above freedom of speech, so why should hosts see a problem with it?

    I recommend talking to a lot of hosts and see which suits, if the companies truly understand they would be OK with it, seems most people do not understand the laws on it

    Good luck with the site.
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  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    67
    What kind of hosting are you looking for?
    Just basic Shared Hosting?
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  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    2,469
    Have you asked HostGator if they allow this, they are another good host. But I do agree, hosting it offshore in Sweden or the NL since thoes countries tend to be more accepting.

    Best of Luck!
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  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    Quote Originally Posted by evilpig View Post
    I run a rather popular weed blog at www.ILoveWeed.net

    I am trying to find a new host, but many are against weed.

    Any tips? I'm not looking for something really expensive, rather affordable if possible.

    Host that allow adult content will have no problem with the topic long as people are not selling through your blog.
    'Ripcord'ing is the only way!
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  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Sandino View Post
    What kind of hosting are you looking for?
    Just basic Shared Hosting?
    For now, yes.
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  18. #18
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by evilpig View Post
    That is what I told Bluehost this morning. I said, I don't sell weed or anything, what about freedom of speech? They said they might get complaints and such.

    Stupid, I know, but I need a host that isn't going to delete me if they look at the site.

    I personally don't sell anything on the site, I opened a shop on Zazzle to sell tshirts and buttons, but I don't sell any drug items.
    Do you know the nature of the complaint? Such as did they receive some complaint from local authorities forcing their hand? Just playing devils advocate as everything isn't always black and white.
    Cody R.
    Hawk Host Inc. Proudly Serving websites since 2004.
    Official Let's Encrypt Sponsor
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  19. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by CodyRo View Post
    Do you know the nature of the complaint? Such as did they receive some complaint from local authorities forcing their hand? Just playing devils advocate as everything isn't always black and white.
    Well they didn't recieve a complaint from me, I ordered hosting without checking TOS this morning, but then I called and decided to cancel.

    I ranted about free speech and he said it's because they might receive complaints. Which is ********, so I canceled. Although they promptly gave me the refund which is very nice.
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  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by evilpig View Post
    Well they didn't recieve a complaint from me, I ordered hosting without checking TOS this morning, but then I called and decided to cancel.

    I ranted about free speech and he said it's because they might receive complaints. Which is ********, so I canceled. Although they promptly gave me the refund which is very nice.
    Oh so they just booted you based off content / their discretion. That's actually quite interesting.. Thanks for explaining it further.. I wonder if one of their staff simply was a little too trigger happy.
    Cody R.
    Hawk Host Inc. Proudly Serving websites since 2004.
    Official Let's Encrypt Sponsor
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  21. #21
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    I just don't see why it would be a problem to host a forum for simply discussion of marijuana.

    That's a bit ridiculous.
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  22. #22
    Join Date
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    Most US based hosts have got to be guano-crazy if they're ostracizing you for having a marijuana related website. It's beyond stepping over the line when it comes to a matter of free speech.

    However, you could be stepping your bounds if you had material related to cultivation, I don't know what the legislature is about that sort of thing outside the state of California.

    If you're truly paranoid, I'd say go with a provider you know has data centers in California or Washington, as the law and general societal view favors marijuana and its culture more than other states.

    I currently run an activist/news/humor marijuana related website and know my host is OK with it, PM me if you want my recommendation
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  23. #23
    I thank everyone for the help and suggestions. I think I have found something to suit my needs. Much appreciated.

    WHT for the win.
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  24. #24
    Join Date
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    Well, it's not exactly the greatest evil the world has ever known, but it *is* illegal in many parts of the world, and a lot of hosts have policies that prohibit sites discussing illegal matters. Probably rightly so, by and large; who wants to risk a server, and their relationship with other customers or even their datacenter over, you know, five bucks a month?

    Honestly, I don't really want to advocate chicanery or tomfoolery, but I'd keep in mind the motto "it's easier to get forgiveness than permission", pick a reputable host, just host the site there, and make sure to keep frequent backups. If they never notice, never get any complaints, and never say anything, you're golden. If not, it's just shared webhosting; move on to another host. It's not like there aren't a quarter-million people out there waiting to take your money.
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  25. #25
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    I just talked with a sales rep over at HostGator about this, and this is what I got. In short, they said no. But look at the reason why.

    Quote Originally Posted by HostGator Sales Rep
    (9:08:38 PM) ryan: I have a reseller account with hostgator and have a potential client who wants to host a marijuana forum.
    (9:08:45 PM) ryan: Would this violate hostgators TOS?
    (9:08:59 PM) ryan: Its nothing but a discussion forum. No selling or anything like that
    (9:10:02 PM) Chris Mo: Let me check one moment
    (9:10:12 PM) ryan: ok thank you
    (9:10:27 PM) ryan: I would think it would be considered freedom of speech since that's all a forum really is.
    (9:10:45 PM) Chris Mo: Yeah let me check, one moment
    (9:11:05 PM) ryan: ok thank you
    (9:11:25 PM) Chris Mo: You're welcome, just a moment please.
    (9:14:02 PM) Chris Mo: OK because marijuana is an illegal substance in Texas, we wouldn't be able to have it on our servers.
    (9:14:27 PM) ryan: Even though its just talking about it?
    (9:14:45 PM) Chris Mo: Yes, its more of a 'just in case' issue.
    (9:15:08 PM) ryan: What do you mean?
    (9:16:11 PM) Chris Mo: You wouldn't be able to gaurantee that nothing would be on it that would be positively illegal.
    (9:17:11 PM) ryan: Its just a forum though that will have discussion about the topic marijuana.
    (9:17:25 PM) ryan: Its not like it would be selling it or anything like that.
    (9:17:37 PM) ryan: I mean I would assume it would have pictures and stuff but thats still not illegal.
    (9:18:35 PM) Chris Mo: I'm sorry its been decided that we'd rather be safe than sorry.

    (9:19:07 PM) ryan: Ok, well thank you.
    (9:19:29 PM) Chris Mo: You're welcome
    (9:19:30 PM) Chris Mo: Is there anything else I can help you with today?
    (9:20:05 PM) ryan: No that is all. I just wanted to check.
    (9:20:41 PM) Chris Mo: OK
    (9:20:42 PM) Chris Mo: Thank you for using HostGator Live Chat. If you could take a minute to rate your experience with HostGator as well as my overall performance, that would help us to improve our customer service. To do that, just click the button that says Rate and Exit in the upper right hand corner. The survey takes less than a minute to fill out.
    *The bolded part says it's not allowed any why*

    Before talking with the sales rep I sent them a email about this issue, and got this response (they said yes)

    Quote Originally Posted by Email from Host Gator
    Hello;


    Here is our TOS http://www.hostgator.com/tos There will be no problems at all. You also have many different options of Forums to install from Fantastico.





    If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
    <=-=><=-=><=-=><=-=><=-=><=-=><=-=><=-=><=-=><=-=><=-=>


    Rob E.
    Linux Admin
    HostGator.com LLC
    http://support.hostgator.com
    So I'm not really sure if HostGator would allow it or not. I found this quite funny though since I got 2 different answers.

    I emailed the Linux Admin from Hostgator back and told them about the live chat I had, and asked if it was allowed or not. I'll let you know the response I receive.
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