A coalition of CBD companies has joined forces to rally public support to allow them to send CBD texts.
The group, #StopCensoringCBD, said CBD companies are being censored by being lumped into “S.H.A.F.T.” content, otherwise known as sex, hate, alcohol, firearms and tobacco.
Because of this, they have lost the ability to use SMS or text messaging to promote their CBD products, the companies say.
“CBD is effectively being classified in the same category as hate speech, alcohol, and guns, and is being censored by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, a non-profit trade organization that monitors S.H.A.F.T. content and reports violations, which can result in costly … fines and fees for brands categorized as S.H.A.F.T. that continue to market using SMS messaging,” the group argues on its Change.org petition page.
The companies say the lack of clarity by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the fact that CBD can be derived from marijuana, has created confusion and misinformation, leading to “restrictive and widely disparate policies” from social media and e-commerce sites.
The most recent ban of CBD from SMS marketing contributes to further CBD misinformation and creates a legal hurdle in destigmatizing CBD and promoting consumer education, the group said.
The companies developed the petition to:
- Bring awareness of the inclusion of CBD in S.H.A.F.T. guidelines.
- Encourage lawmakers to co-sponsor and pass the Hemp Access and Consumer Act.
- Pressure FDA to create a regulatory framework for CBD.
- Inspire CBD companies to work together “to create a clearly defined set of universal criteria for all CBD products.”
Change.org petitions are not legally binding but can serve to pressure companies and regulators to change course. The Association did not immediately return a request for comment Monday from Hemp Industry Daily.
The group includes: Prima, Recess, Plant People, Papa and Barkley, Svn Space, Sweet Reason, Miss Grass, Foria Wellness, Fleur Marche, Juna, Looni, Muri, Lelu, Cann, Apothecanna, Hivi, Onda Wellness, Vertly, FruitsLabs, Empyri, Quim, Omura, ENUF Period, OHHo, Plant Society, Calm Better Days, Flor de Maria, Botanica Boutique, Liweli, Toastyy, Raw Botanics Co., Receptra and others.