Why SMS Still Costs So Much
Despite being one of the oldest digital marketing channels, SMS remains one of the most expensive - especially for cannabis retailers. Why? Because:
Carrier surcharges for cannabis-related content are high
Message deliverability is unreliable, with many texts blocked or filtered
Compliance risks drive up costs due to legal fines or message retries
High churn: Customers often unsubscribe after receiving a single text
The result? You’re paying more for less reach.
What Does Cannabis SMS Marketing Cost?
Here’s a breakdown of what most dispensaries can expect to pay:
Cost Element | Typical Range |
|---|---|
Per SMS message | $0.01–$0.05 |
Carrier surcharge (A2P 10DLC) | $0.01–$0.04 per message |
Cannabis content surcharge | $0.02–$0.10 extra |
Monthly platform fee | $100–$500+ |
Compliance fines | Up to $500 per violation |
For cannabis brands, the true cost per campaign can range from $300–$2,000+ monthly, depending on audience size and message frequency.
Hidden Costs You Can’t Ignore
Blocked messages waste your budget
Legal risks due to strict TCPA & CTIA rules
Opt-outs shrink your list quickly
No visibility into who actually received or acted
That’s a lot of money for something that isn’t even reliable.
A Smarter Alternative: Wallet-Based Push
Sticky Cards replaces expensive SMS campaigns with wallet push notifications - direct to your customer’s phone lock screen. It’s:
Compliant (no TCPA or cannabis carrier blocks)
Trackable (open rates, views, redemptions)
Affordable (flat pricing, no per-message fees)
Instant (real-time updates and loyalty offers)
“Switching to Sticky Cards cut our messaging costs by 90%.”
Final Thoughts: Control Your Messaging Costs
Cannabis SMS marketing is getting more expensive and less effective. If you want to protect your margins, it’s time to rethink the channel.
Sticky Cards offers a frictionless, SMS-free, and wallet-first approach designed for dispensaries who want better ROI.
