Missed the 10DLC Deadline? Here’s How to Keep Your Cannabis Customers Engaged

The SMS Marketing Game Has Changed – And Not in Your Favor

If your dispensary missed the 10DLC registration deadline, you're not alone. But here’s the reality:

• Unregistered cannabis SMS campaigns are now being blocked, throttled, or fined.

• Customer engagement is taking a hit.

• And many retailers are stuck, unsure how to move forward.

Let’s break down what’s happening and how you can stay connected with your cannabis customers without getting tangled in SMS restrictions.

Wait, What’s 10DLC Again?

10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) is a system introduced by U.S. mobile carriers to regulate business text messaging. It requires all businesses including cannabis retailers to:

• Register their brand and campaigns

• Disclose content types and messaging use cases

• Comply with SHAFT restrictions (which includes cannabis)

 If you didn’t register, your texts may already be getting blocked or soon will be.
Carriers like T-Mobile are enforcing massive fees for unregistered traffic up to $10,000 per violation.

Why SMS Is No Longer Reliable for Cannabis Dispensaries

Even if you’re registered, SMS still comes with serious limitations:

• Strict content restrictions (no product names, no offers, no health claims)

• Cost per message is rising

• Messages are throttled or filtered even when you follow the rules

• Time-consuming registration, re-verification, and message vetting

You’re basically paying more to reach fewer people… with less freedom.

So What Can You Do Instead?

Meet Push Notifications: The 10DLC-Free Engagement Channel

Push notifications are browser-based messages you can send directly to customers – no phone numbers, no carriers, and no 10DLC headaches.

With Sticky Cards, you can start sending targeted push notifications in minutes. That means:

• No per-message fees

• No content restrictions

• No compliance bottlenecks

• 100% delivery

5 Ways to Keep Customers Engaged Without SMS

Here’s how forward-thinking dispensaries are making the switch (and seeing results):

1. Trigger Notifications Based on Real-Time Behavior

Use your eCommerce or POS data (like Flowhub or Breadstack) to send:

• Abandoned cart reminders

• Product back-in-stock alerts

• Daily deal nudges

• New drop announcements

Example: “Lemon Haze is back 👀 Tap to order before it’s gone.”

2. Segment for Better Conversions

No more generic SMS blasts. With push, you can target by:

• Location

• Loyalty status

• Product preferences

• Shopping behavior

Example: “Hey Alex, your loyalty points just hit 500! Claim your reward.”

3. Automate Key Moments

Sticky Cards makes it easy to automate key campaigns like:

• First purchase follow-ups

• Birthday promos

• Loyalty milestone rewards

• Pre-order confirmations

Set it once. Let it run. Never miss a moment that matters.

4. Make Opt-In Easy

Unlike SMS, there’s no number collection or double verification.

• Push opt-ins take one click

• You can prompt visitors on-site, post-checkout, or via QR codes

• Customers stay in control – without giving up privacy

And yes, it works on desktop and mobile.

5. Go Live in Minutes, Not Weeks

With Sticky Cards, you don’t need a dev team or complex software to start.

• No-code setup

• Integrates with your dispensary platform

• Fully customizable for your brand

You could be sending your first campaign in less than 30 minutes.

Final Thoughts: Your Customers Didn’t Miss You—They Missed Your Messages

If you’ve lost reach because of 10DLC, don’t wait to rebuild it. Push notifications are fast, affordable, and actually get seen.

Don’t let SMS slow you down. Start engaging customers again—your way.

Ready to make the switch?

Book a demo today