Text your customers within Washington’s cannabis advertising rules

Washington has an adult-use and medical cannabis program

Retail licensing and advertising rules are enforced by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. For billboards, social media and other channels, see our cannabis advertising rules beyond texting.

These Washington rules bear on texting customers

Giveaways and branded merchandise are banned with narrow exceptions, coupons may not discount below acquisition cost, and free product may be advertised only to qualifying medical patients by medically endorsed retailers.

• Every ad in any medium must state that only people 21 or older may purchase or possess cannabis (WAC 314-55-155(2)(c)).
• Four required warning statements in all non-outdoor advertising, at a minimum type size (WAC 314-55-155(7)).
• Giveaways and branded or unbranded merchandise are banned, with limited exceptions (WAC 314-55-155(5)).
• Coupons may not discount below the retailer's acquisition cost (WAC 314-55-155(5)(g)).
• Free or donated product may be advertised only to qualifying medical patients (WAC 314-55-155(6)).
• No curative or therapeutic claims (WAC 314-55-155(2)(a)(vii)).
• No content especially appealing to people under 21, and no targeting of youth (WAC 314-55-155(2)(a)(viii)(B); RCW 69.50.369(11)(a)).
• No marketing that specifically targets people living outside Washington (WAC 314-55-155(2)(d)).
• Commercial texts to Washington cell numbers are banned unless the customer clearly and affirmatively consented in advance (RCW 19.190.060(1) and 19.190.070(1)(b)).

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

Work with Sticky Cards in Washington

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