Prohibited Content: Cannabis/CBD

Strict 10DLC Prohibition

Cannabis, CBD, Hemp, and Kratom content is strictly prohibited on 10DLC (A2P) messaging routes by T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. This applies even if the business is legal in your state, due to federal regulations affecting interstate telecommunications.

Root Cause Analysis

Code 701 is triggered when automated filters or manual reviewers detect terms related to cannabis in your sample messages, business name, or website.

Detected Keywords

• Cannabis, Marijuana, Weed
• CBD, Hemp, THC, Delta-8
• Kratom, Vape, Edibles
• Dispensary, Budtender, Flower

Common Misconceptions

• "It's legal in my state" (Does not apply to federal telecom).
• "It's just hemp/CBD" (Still prohibited by most carriers on 10DLC).
• "It's medical only" (No exception for medical use).

Remediation Options

Option 1: Remove Prohibited Content (If incidental)

If your business is not primarily cannabis-focused (e.g., a holistic spa that happens to sell one CBD lotion), remove all mentions of CBD/Cannabis from your messaging, website, and privacy policy to proceed with 10DLC.

Option 2: Alternative Channels

If your core business is cannabis/CBD, you cannot use 10DLC. You must switch to:

• Email Marketing: Fewer restrictions on cannabis content.
• Push Notifications: Via a native mobile app.
• Direct Mail: Physical mailers.

Validate Your Content

Use our Carrier Policy Compliance Scanner to detect hidden SHAFT terms.

Comprehensive TCR rejection remediation powered by MyTCRPlus.com

What reviewers check for code 701

Code 701 is reported as "Prohibited Content: Cannabis/CBD". Messaging related to illegal drugs, cannabis, CBD, kratom, psychedelics and drug paraphernalia is prohibited on US carrier networks regardless of state legality. Reviewers check the brand's industry, website and samples for these products.

Where code 701 comes from

Code 701 is a vetting rejection reason applied during brand or campaign review and passed back to you by your CSP. It identifies the specific deficiency the reviewer found, so fixing exactly that item is the fastest route to approval. It is marked Critical: it describes content or a business model carriers do not permit, so the campaign cannot be approved until that content is removed, not just reworded.

Fix and verify before resubmitting

1. Remove cannabis, CBD, hemp-derived THC and other controlled-substance promotion from all messages.
2. Check the linked website: storefronts selling these products cause rejection even with neutral messages.
3. If the brand also sells permitted products, use a separate brand and website for them.
4. Describe the permitted content clearly in the campaign description.
5. Do not resubmit the same program under a different use case.
6. Resubmit with a note that references code 701 (Prohibited Content: Cannabis/CBD) and lists each change made.

Sample resubmission note

Many CSPs let you add a note for the reviewer when you resubmit. A short, specific note shows what changed and speeds up the second review. Example for Harbor Key Realty:

Harbor Key Realty corrected the deficiency reported as code 701 (Prohibited Content: Cannabis/CBD). Changes made: remove cannabis, CBD, hemp-derived THC and other controlled-substance promotion from all messages; check the linked website: storefronts selling these products cause rejection even with neutral messages; if the brand also sells permitted products, use a separate brand and website for them. All URLs, keywords and auto-replies were re-tested from an external network before this resubmission, and the campaign text now matches the live opt-in exactly.

Common mistakes that keep code 701 coming back

• Believing state legalization makes cannabis messaging acceptable.
• Promoting CBD as wellness or supplements.
• Linking to a dispensary menu in appointment reminders.

Related rejection codes

• Code 7005: Prohibited Illegal Substances
• Code 2131: Verbal Script Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2128: Opt-in Form Missing HELP Instructions
• Code 2127: Verbal Script Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2126: Opt-in Form Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2124: Verbal Script Missing Frequency Disclosure

Frequently asked questions about code 701

Our dispensary is fully licensed. Why code 701?

Carrier policies follow federal status and CTIA guidelines, not state licensing. Cannabis messaging is not permitted on 10DLC.

Is hemp or CBD treated differently?

No. Carriers group CBD and hemp-derived products with cannabis for messaging purposes.