Glossary: Know the Terms Before You Scale
Term | Definition |
---|---|
SMS Marketing | Sending promotional or transactional messages via text to engage customers. |
TCPA | The Telephone Consumer Protection Act—U.S. law regulating telemarketing & SMS. |
POS Integration | Syncing your Point-of-Sale system with marketing platforms for accurate data. |
Opt-Out Compliance | SMS messages must offer a clear way to unsubscribe (e.g., “Reply STOP”). |
Carrier Filtering | When mobile carriers block messages that contain cannabis-related language. |
AI Segmentation | Using artificial intelligence to categorize users based on predicted behavior. |
Table of contents
Why SMS Is Essential (and Complex) for Cannabis Brands
Cannabis brands face one of the most regulated marketing landscapes in the world. Between federal restrictions, carrier filters, and platform bans, email and paid social are often off-limits or ineffective.
That’s where SMS comes in—it offers:
- Direct access to consumers
- End-to-end control over compliance
- Faster, higher-converting engagement
But not all SMS platforms are built for cannabis. Many mainstream tools like Klaviyo, Attentive, and Postscript block cannabis businesses entirely due to risk exposure.
The solution? Cannabis-compliant SMS platforms like Alpine IQ, Happy Cabbage, and SpringBig—the holy trinity of green marketing tech.
Alpine IQ: The All-In-One Powerhouse
Alpine IQ goes beyond SMS. It’s a full customer data platform (CDP) built specifically for cannabis brands, offering CRM, loyalty, email, analytics, and SMS—all in one.
What Sets Alpine IQ Apart
Feature | Why It Matters |
---|---|
Omnichannel Marketing | Central hub for SMS, email, loyalty, in-app messages |
Bulletproof Compliance | Built-in TCPA, HIPAA, CCPA, SOC2 controls |
Integrations Galore | Shopify, Dutchie, Weedmaps, WooCommerce, Jane |
Custom APIs | Build anything on top of it—it’s dev-friendly |
Real-Time Analytics | Revenue attribution across all channels |
Pricing Breakdown
Plan Tier | Cost Estimate | Who It’s For |
---|---|---|
Starter | ~$45/month | Local dispensaries |
Growth | ~$2,000–$10,000/year | Regional multi-location ops |
Enterprise | $30K–$70K/year | MSOs, national brands |
Pro Tip: Alpine IQ avoids cannabis words in SMS copy, replacing them with pre-approved phrases—smart workaround for deliverability.
Happy Cabbage: Analytics Meets Automation
Happy Cabbage is all about precision targeting using predictive AI. If Alpine IQ is your Swiss Army knife, Happy Cabbage is your scalpel—sharp, surgical, and data-obsessed.
What Makes It Unique
Feature | Why It Matters |
---|---|
AI-Powered Segments | Predict buying behavior = better ROI |
Real-Time POS Sync | Instant updates from Meadow, Flowhub, Shopify |
Auto-Send Campaigns | Set-and-forget logic across segments |
Pay-for-Delivery Pricing | No charge for undelivered SMS |
Campaign Reporting | Visual performance dashboards |
Pricing Breakdown
Service | Cost |
---|---|
Base Subscription | $900/month |
Onboarding/Integration | $1,500 one-time |
Add-ons (email, loyalty) | Custom pricing |
Best For: Brands that want smarter data use, automated delivery, and ROI over volume.
SpringBig: Loyalty & Retention Royalty
SpringBig is built on the idea that loyalty = longevity. It offers one of the most robust loyalty + SMS hybrids in cannabis, with tools to automate customer retention at scale.
What You Get
Feature | Why It Rocks |
---|---|
Loyalty Program Builder | Customizable point systems tied to POS |
500+ Compliant Templates | Pre-approved = faster campaign launches |
SMS Campaign Manager | Schedule, test, and optimize with ease |
Two-Way Messaging | Create SMS conversations—not just alerts |
Compliance Engine | Built-in STOP replies, opt-ins, and audit logs |
Pricing Breakdown
Plan Type | Monthly Cost |
---|---|
Basic | $600/month |
Advanced | Custom pricing |
Enterprise | Quote-based |
Best For: Dispensaries and DTC cannabis brands focused on long-term retention and LTV growth.
Platform Comparison Table
Feature | Alpine IQ | Happy Cabbage | SpringBig |
---|---|---|---|
SMS Deliverability | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅✅ |
Built-In Loyalty | ✅✅ | 🚫 | ✅✅✅ |
AI Targeting | ✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅ |
Email Integration | ✅✅✅ | 🚫 | Optional |
POS Sync | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ |
Price (Monthly Start) | $45+ | $900+ | $600+ |
Best For | Omnichannel Scale | Data-Driven ROI | Retention & Loyalty |
Compliance Considerations for Cannabis SMS
Don’t lose your carrier access—or your license. Here’s what you need to stay compliant in 2024:
✅ Use opt-in, double consent sign-up flows
✅ Include “STOP to unsubscribe” in every SMS
✅ Avoid trigger words like “cannabis,” “THC,” “blunt,” “weed”
✅ Store consent logs and send audit-proof messages
✅ Always follow local/state regulations alongside federal (gray areas still exist)
Visual Idea: Checklist image: “Is Your Cannabis SMS Campaign Compliant?”
Metrics That Matter
Metric | What It Measures | Ideal Benchmark |
---|---|---|
Opt-In Rate | List growth effectiveness | 5–10% of total visitors |
Click-Through Rate | Engagement with links | 10–20% |
Redemption Rate | Offer follow-through | 15–30% for loyalty promos |
Unsubscribe Rate | Message fatigue level | <1% |
Deliverability | Message success | 98–99%+ |
Pro Tips to Maximize ROI from SMS
✅ Use First-Party Data: Pull from POS, loyalty, and site behavior to personalize.
✅ Split-Test Your Offers: Try % off vs. freebie promos.
✅ Set Campaign Cadence: 2–4 messages/month is a good start.
✅ Enable Click-to-Join Widgets: Let people sign up directly from your store tablet or site.
✅ Pair SMS with Loyalty: Promote VIP access, point balances, and “surprise & delight” gifts.
✅ Track by Source: Use UTM parameters and analytics dashboards for full-funnel attribution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why can’t I use Klaviyo or Mailchimp for cannabis SMS?
These platforms avoid high-risk industries to stay carrier-compliant. Cannabis is still federally illegal in many regions, making mainstream tools risky.
2. Is SMS marketing legal for cannabis brands?
Yes, but it must follow strict compliance regulations (TCPA, state laws). You must get explicit consent and avoid banned language.
3. What is the safest platform for beginners?
SpringBig offers templates and built-in compliance tools, making it great for new dispensaries.
4. How often should I send SMS to my cannabis audience?
Start with 2–4x per month. Overdoing it leads to opt-outs. Test what your list can tolerate.
5. Can I integrate these SMS tools with my dispensary POS?
Yes. All 3 platforms support POS integrations like FlowHub, Meadow, Dutchie, and Shopify.
6. How do I measure the ROI of my SMS campaigns?
Track opt-in growth, click-through rate, conversion rate, and revenue per message. Use UTM codes and SMS dashboards.
Final Word: Pick the Platform That Aligns with Your Growth Plan
Whether you’re a boutique dispensary or a multi-state operator, the right SMS partner can drive retention, compliance, and conversions.
- Alpine IQ: Best for full-stack, enterprise-level execution
- Happy Cabbage: Best for data-driven optimizers and lean teams
- SpringBig: Best for loyalty-driven brands and dispensaries
At Blossom Ecom, we help cannabis and high-risk brands scale smart with compliant CRM + retention strategies that convert.
Want a custom SMS strategy for your store?
Let’s make it happen. Book your free audit today.
Need help implementing this?
Let us take the hassle of managing your email marketing channel off your hands. Book a strategy call with our team today and see how we can scale your revenue, customer retention, and lifetime value with tailored strategies. Click here to get started.
Curious about how your Klaviyo is performing?
We’ll audit your account for free. Discover hidden opportunities to boost your revenue, and find out what you’re doing right and what could be done better. Click here to claim your free Klaviyo audit.
Want to see how we’ve helped brands just like yours scale?
Check out our case studies and see the impact for yourself. Click here to explore.
Read Our Other Blogs

Attract More Customers: Which Videos to Use in Your Email Marketing and Why



8 eCommerce Customer Service Mistakes You NEED to Stop Making (Like, Yesterday)



Creating The Perfect E-Commerce Tech Stack




Not Sure Where to Start?
Let's find the biggest retention opportunities in your business. Get a free Klaviyo audit or retention consultation.

