Text your customers within Utah’s cannabis advertising rules

Utah has a medical-only cannabis program

Retail licensing and advertising rules are enforced by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Medical Cannabis Program (pharmacy licensing; patient cards via the Center for Medical Cannabis). For billboards, social media and other channels, see our cannabis advertising rules beyond texting.

These Utah rules bear on texting customers

Promotional texts to opted-in patients must name the pharmacy, state that products are for patients only, avoid recreational or youth-appealing content, and back any health claims with clinical evidence and risk information.

• General ban on advertising a medical cannabis pharmacy except as the statute allows (Utah Code 4-41a-1104(1)).
• Pharmacies may use targeted marketing for a product, device or brand, as set by department rule (Utah Code 4-41a-1104(2)(f)).
• Electronic targeted marketing is limited to people 21 or older who asked to receive promotions (opt-in) (Utah Code 4-41a-102(51)(a)).
• Pharmacy website may offer a sign-up link for electronic targeted marketing (Utah Admin. Code R66-5-11(5)).
• No recreational, intoxicant or consumption imagery in targeted marketing (Utah Admin. Code R66-5-11(2)(d)).
• No images designed or likely to appeal to children (Utah Admin. Code R66-5-11(2)(e)).
• Each targeted message must identify the pharmacy and state products are for patients only (Utah Admin. Code R66-5-11(3)).
• Health, safety or efficacy claims need clinical support and must include side effects or risks (Utah Admin. Code R66-5-11(4)).

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 Utah’s rules apply to your program stays with you and your counsel.

Work with Sticky Cards in Utah

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