The cannabis retail landscape is evolving rapidly and so is how brands communicate with customers. In 2025, SMS marketing is no longer the no-brainer it once was. While it once offered dispensaries a fast way to send promotions, the tides are shifting as retailers rethink how they engage their audience.
Let’s explore why cannabis retailers are moving away from SMS and where they’re turning next.
The High Cost of SMS Compliance
SMS marketing isn’t just about sending texts — it’s about navigating a minefield of regulations. In 2025, dispensaries face stricter telecom guidelines, carrier filtering, and growing compliance costs.
10DLC registration fees are rising
Carrier filtering is stricter, often blocking even compliant messages
Fines for violations can reach thousands per message
For many cannabis brands, it’s become a risky and expensive channel to rely on.
Lower Open Rates, Higher Frustration
Consumers are increasingly tuning out SMS. With inboxes flooded by spam and scams, promotional texts are often ignored or blocked altogether.
Opt-out rates have spiked
Click-through rates have dropped below email in many cases
Trust in SMS has eroded, especially among younger consumers
Retailers are noticing: they’re spending more but seeing less engagement.
Limitations of SMS for Loyalty and Personalization
Loyalty marketing thrives on personalization and automation — two things SMS isn’t built for.
No visuals or rich media
Limited automation capabilities
Can’t be easily tied to real-time customer actions or POS data
Cannabis retailers using advanced systems need more dynamic tools that can integrate with customer profiles and behavior.
Why Retailers Are Turning to Push Notifications
In contrast, push notifications via digital wallets and apps offer more flexibility, automation, and customer engagement with none of the SMS hassle.
Benefits include:
No telecom compliance issues
Direct-to-lockscreen delivery
Personalized messages tied to loyalty behavior
Higher opt-in and retention rates
Tools like Sticky Cards make it easy for retailers to send rewards, offers, and updates instantly without ever needing a phone number.
Real-Time Loyalty, Without the Red Tape
In 2025, the best cannabis customer loyalty programs are frictionless. Retailers want a way to:
Reward purchases in real time
Send targeted offers based on visit history
Keep customers engaged without spam
Sticky Cards does all this by syncing directly with POS systems — no extra apps, no SMS, no stress.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Think Beyond SMS
SMS had its moment, but the future of cannabis retail marketing lies in smarter, more integrated channels. With rising costs, compliance risk, and lower engagement, 2025 is the year forward-thinking dispensaries finally break up with SMS.
Instead, they’re choosing modern loyalty platforms like Sticky Cards — built for cannabis, powered by automation, and focused on long-term customer relationships.
