Is it safe to use the word 'marijuana' in email subject lines for B2B cannabis industry lists?

Summary

The consensus is that using 'marijuana' in B2B cannabis industry email subject lines is a nuanced issue, heavily reliant on context, sender reputation, and audience. Some suggest that it's acceptable with best practices and an engaged audience, while others warn of potential spam triggers and the importance of compliance. Testing and monitoring are consistently recommended.

Key findings

  • Reputation Matters: A strong sender reputation and following best practices can mitigate deliverability risks.
  • Audience Awareness: Knowing your audience and their expectations is crucial; industry insiders may be more receptive.
  • Testing is Key: A/B testing subject lines is essential to identify what resonates and avoids spam filters.
  • Compliance is Essential: Following ESP policies, local regulations, and data protection laws is paramount.
  • Holistic Approach: Focusing on the overall email stream and recipient engagement is more effective than avoiding individual 'trigger' words.

Key considerations

  • ESP Guidelines: Review and adhere to the specific policies of your Email Service Provider (ESP).
  • List Warming: Implement list warming strategies to establish a positive sending history.
  • Monitoring Metrics: Actively monitor email engagement and deliverability metrics (open rates, bounce rates, spam complaints).
  • Regulations & Legality: Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations related to cannabis marketing in relevant jurisdictions.
  • Alternative Terms: Consider using alternative or euphemistic terms like 'cannabis' or 'THC' if concerned about triggering spam filters.
  • Authentication: Make sure you are using SPF, DKIM and DMARC records to authenticate your sending domain

What email marketers say
14Marketer opinions

The safety of using the word 'marijuana' in email subject lines for B2B cannabis industry lists is nuanced. While some sources suggest it may not pose a significant risk if best practices are followed and the audience is accustomed to industry terms, others caution that it could trigger spam filters, particularly if the sender has a poor reputation or the content is unsolicited. Testing, list warming, and monitoring deliverability are frequently recommended.

Key opinions

  • Sender Reputation: A solid sending reputation can mitigate risks associated with the word 'marijuana'.
  • Audience Expectation: If the B2B list is familiar with cannabis-related terminology, the term may be more acceptable.
  • Testing is Crucial: Testing subject lines with different variations is essential to determine what gets through spam filters.
  • Alternative Terms: Consider using alternative terms like 'cannabis' or 'THC' to avoid potential spam triggers.
  • Deliverability Concerns: Certain email providers are more likely to block certain terms based on historical scam traffic and their own internal risk systems

Key considerations

  • ESP Policies: Check your Email Service Provider's (ESP) policies regarding cannabis-related content.
  • List Warming: Warm up your list to establish a positive sender reputation.
  • Engagement Monitoring: Closely monitor engagement metrics and deliverability to identify and address any issues.
  • Legal Compliance: Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations regarding cannabis marketing.
  • Internal Testing: Always test on an internal test list prior to wide distribution to avoid any issues.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks recommends testing subject lines to an internal test list to check for any impact.

April 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that it depends on the ESP and the recipient's spam filter settings. They recommend testing subject lines with different variations to see what gets through.

September 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from HubSpot explains that to avoid deliverability issues, it's important to warm up your list and use relevant keywords. They recommend monitoring engagement and keeping your sender reputation in good standing.

June 2022 - HubSpot
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass explains that some words have a higher chance of being flagged by spam filters than others, but it is very dependant on your setup and list quality.

May 2021 - Gmass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Campaign Monitor explains that using industry terms such as 'marijuana' may impact deliverability. They suggest testing subject lines and monitoring engagement to maintain a healthy sender reputation.

February 2025 - Campaign Monitor
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid shares that trigger words such as 'marijuana' may cause deliverability issues. They suggest testing subject lines with different variations and monitoring spam placement.

February 2022 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus responds that using certain words might cause deliverability issues, as it often depends on your audience, your sending reputation, and other factors such as authentication.

November 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum shares that it's crucial to know your audience and their expectations. If the B2B list is accustomed to industry-specific terms, 'marijuana' might be acceptable, but suggests monitoring deliverability closely.

December 2021 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that if the sender follows best practices and has a solid sending reputation, they shouldn’t run into any issues using 'marijuana' in subject lines.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora responds that generally, it is a risk, particularly if the email is unsolicited. Suggests focusing on the benefits of the product and avoiding controversial terms.

January 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains they do not think the word will affect deliverability. Suggests trying alternatives like cannabis.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains for B2B to a list of dispensary buyers, there probably isn't a huge risk using the word.

September 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares their experience shows a lot of marijuana-oriented stock scams are going around, and spam filtering is oriented towards keeping scam emails out of inboxes and suggests considering using THC or something else entirely. Offers details on subject lines they use and how they have performed via DM.

November 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests they don't think there would be an issue as other cannabis related organisations seem to be able to send without problems. Notes to confirm Acoustic is cannabis sender friendly.

June 2024 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Experts suggest that the use of 'marijuana' in email subject lines isn't solely determined by the word itself, but rather by factors like relevance to the recipient, how the word is used, and overall email marketing practices. Successfully marketing cannabis products requires adherence to regulations, proper list and IP warming, and a holistic approach to the email stream.

Key opinions

  • Relevance & Intent: The recipient's desire to receive the email is a crucial factor in deliverability.
  • Holistic Approach: Focus on the entire email stream and marketing goals, not just individual trigger words.
  • Industry Blocks: Marketing cannabis products can lead to blocks if not handled carefully.

Key considerations

  • Regulations & Guidelines: Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines.
  • List/IP Warming: Properly warm up your email list and IP addresses before sending.
  • Recipient Desire: Ensure that recipients have opted in and want to receive your emails.
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource explains they have seen many senders run into blocks when they start marketing Cannabis products. They explain that you should make sure you are following all regulations and guidelines, and to warm up your IP addresses correctly.

October 2023 - Spamresource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that the issue isn't the word marijuana itself, but how it is used, and whether the recipient wants the mail. She notes that marketers should be thinking about the mail stream as a whole to achieve marketing goals, not just the use of specific trigger words.

September 2021 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Email service documentation highlights the need for caution when using terms like 'marijuana' in email subject lines, particularly in regulated industries. While not explicitly banned, these terms may be subject to increased scrutiny and can impact deliverability. Compliance with local laws and regulations, adherence to platform-specific guidelines, authentication of emails, and maintaining a positive sender reputation are critical for ensuring successful delivery.

Key findings

  • Increased Scrutiny: Certain industries and keywords are subject to higher scrutiny by ESPs.
  • No Explicit Ban (Usually): Most major ESPs do not explicitly ban the term 'marijuana,' but advise caution.
  • Policy Adherence: Following ESP's acceptable use policies is essential.
  • Legal Compliance: Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations is mandatory.

Key considerations

  • Content Guidelines: Review the specific content guidelines of your ESP.
  • Local Regulations: Be aware of local regulations regarding cannabis marketing.
  • Authentication: Properly authenticate your emails using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
  • Sender Reputation: Maintain a positive sender reputation by keeping spam rates low and engagement high.
  • Engagement Monitoring: Monitor engagement and delivery metrics closely.
Technical article

Documentation from Google shares best practices for bulk email senders to avoid spam filters. They recommend authenticating emails, keeping spam rates low, and following their guidelines to maintain a positive sender reputation.

November 2021 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost states that while they don't automatically block cannabis-related content, they require senders to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Monitoring engagement and reputation is critical.

September 2022 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid notes that their acceptable use policy prohibits content that promotes illegal or harmful activities. Senders should be aware of local regulations regarding cannabis and adjust their messaging accordingly. Reviewing their policies is recommended.

November 2023 - SendGrid
Technical article

Documentation from Mailchimp explains that certain industries and keywords may be subject to higher scrutiny. While they don't explicitly ban 'marijuana,' they advise caution and suggest reviewing their content guidelines to ensure compliance.

April 2021 - Mailchimp
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains how to follow best practices for email sending to avoid spam filters. Ensure your sending domain is authenticated with SPF, DKIM and DMARC records.

January 2022 - Microsoft