Text your customers within Pennsylvania’s cannabis advertising rules

Pennsylvania has a medical-only cannabis program

Retail licensing and advertising rules are enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Medical Marijuana. For billboards, social media and other channels, see our cannabis advertising rules beyond texting.

These Pennsylvania rules bear on texting customers

Dispensaries may not provide products free of charge outside the Department's financial assistance program, and no rule specific to text messages or opt-in consent was found.

• Advertising is defined as paid communication, including electronic communication, meant to draw someone to a dispensary or to buy products (28 Pa. Code 1141a.21 (definition of "Advertising")).
• Advertising and marketing must be consistent with federal prescription drug advertising rules (21 CFR 202.1) (28 Pa. Code 1141a.50(a)).
• Promotional, advertising and marketing materials need Department approval before use (28 Pa. Code 1141a.50(b)).
• Approval requests must describe the audience that will receive the material (PA DOH Bureau of Medical Marijuana, Request for Approval: Promotional, Advertising or Marketing Materials (03/2024)).
• Dispensaries may not provide products free of charge, except for patients approved for financial assistance (28 Pa. Code 1161a.27(e)(1)).
• Dispensing may not be conditioned on buying a device, instrument or service (28 Pa. Code 1161a.27(e)(2)).

Start with consent, your store name and an opt-out line

• Text only people who opted in, and keep the record of when and how they did. Our guide to SMS opt-in and consent for dispensaries covers what to record.
• Put your store name first and an opt-out line on every text.
• Keep product details, prices and offers on an age-gated page rather than in the text, and check the wording against our list of banned words in cannabis texts.

Sticky SMS, by Sticky Cards, the loyalty and marketing platform for cannabis dispensaries, files your 10DLC registration with The Campaign Registry, with no charge for the number or the registration, and most stores are live in 1 to 2 days. How Pennsylvania’s rules apply to your program stays with you and your counsel.

Work with Sticky Cards in Pennsylvania

• Run a dispensary, CBD or vape shop in Pennsylvania? Book a demo to see Sticky SMS.
• Run a texting agency in Pennsylvania? Sticky Cards is looking for expert texting partner agencies in Pennsylvania. Email support@stickycards.co to talk about working together.