Banned words and risky phrases in cannabis SMS — and what to write instead.
Carriers don't publish a list. But the patterns that get cannabis dispensaries filtered are consistent — and so are the safer phrasings that still drive opens and clicks.
There isn't a banned-words list. There's a pattern.
Carriers filter on signals — combinations of language, link reputation, send velocity, and audience quality — not on a static keyword list. That means the same word can be fine in one message and a problem in another, depending on the surrounding content and how the rest of your sending profile looks.
Some patterns are reliably risky in cannabis SMS: explicit product naming combined with hard discount language, free-shipping or free-product offers, words like 'buy', 'order', 'cart', and 'checkout' used together, repeated dollar amounts, and aggressive urgency framing ('hurry', 'last chance', 'limited supply'). Each on its own is usually fine. Stacked together, they look promotional in a way that increases filter risk.
The safer pattern is educational and specific. Reference the customer's history or category. Lead with information, not a price. Use one clear call to action, not three. Our compose tools flag risky combinations at send time and suggest reworded alternatives that preserve the offer without tripping filters.
Built for cannabis, not generic retail.
Risk-pattern flagging
Compose-time review flags stacked risk patterns before send — not after engagement has already dropped.
Safer phrasing suggestions
Suggested rewrites preserve the offer with educational framing that consistently clears filters.
Per-send risk score
Every message gets a deliverability risk score so the team can choose to send, edit, or escalate.
State-aware copy rules
Product naming, claims, and disclosure language enforced per state regulations automatically.
Disclaimer enforcement
Required disclosures (age, opt-out, frequency) auto-inserted where rules apply — no manual footers.
Drift detection
Pattern shifts that carriers start filtering get flagged across the customer base so you adapt quickly.
Questions buyers ask before booking.
Can you give me a list of words to avoid?+
There isn't a static list, and any list someone publishes will be out of date within a quarter. The platform evaluates patterns in context, which is more accurate than a banned-words list.
Will safer phrasing hurt conversion?+
In our data, no. Educational, specific copy generally outperforms aggressive promo language on both CTR and revenue per send — and dramatically outperforms it on opt-out rate.
Do you remove banned words automatically?+
We flag and suggest, but never auto-edit. Marketing teams stay in control of the voice.
Audit your last 10 sends for risky patterns.
A short working session — bring your recent campaigns, we'll show you the risk score on each and the safer rewrite.