EXCLUSIVE: CBD Censorship Continues Amidst Ongoing Cannabis Legalization Trend – Benzinga – Benzinga

Which word does not belongin thisgroup? Sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, CBD or tobacco?

Well, opinions differ, right?

According tothe Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association(CTIA), a non-profit tradeorganization that monitors and reportscontent violations on sex, hate, alcohol, firearmsand tobacco, or SHAFT, the wordgrouping is finethat is, allfiveconcepts belong.

In July, the CTIA classified CBD under the SHAFT umbrella, which means that CBD can no longer be promoted via SMS messaging.It is now considered inthe same category as hate speech, alcohol and guns.

These newly-imposed SMS marketing restrictions add to the confusion in the hemp and cannabis industries. WhileCongress gave thegreen light to legalizehemp and hemp-derived products back in 2018, theFDA still needs to create clear guidelines or policies regarding hemp-derived CBD.

Whats ironic is that these hemp-related restrictions are being imposed during the ongoing cannabis legalization trend across the U.S.

The solution:Fight against beingcensored and stamped with a hateful classification.

Stripped of an important marketing tool, more than 20 CBD brands(including Prima, Foria, Recess, Miss Grass, Onda, Quim, Plant Peopleand many more)have joined together ina coalition. Theirfirst task was tolaunch a petitionadvocating for:

Benzinga wanted to learn more about the struggles CBD companies have had since CBD was put on the SHAFT listso we reached out toJessica Assaf, CEO & co-founder of Primaas well asJon Brandon, CEO & co-founder of Foria.

Prima is a Los Angeles, California-based CBD wellness brand that makes skincare and supplements with hemp CBD and therapeutic botanical ingredients. Foria is also a CBD company with a primary focus on sexual wellness, which according to claims, isthe first to launch CBD products specifically designed for that purpose.

SMS was avery important marketing tooland channel for us, as it enabled us to connect 1:1 with our customers. This misclassification also impacts our ability to get into certain retailers, as well as our ability to advertise, Assaf told Benzinga.

Previously SMS messaging was a key component of Forias marketing strategy, helping themreach customers they might not otherwise have found, Brandon added.

The classification of CBD as SHAFT content is not only inaccurate, but its unjust, they both agreed, noting thatCBD censorship by theCTIA isadding to misinformation around CBD and limiting importanteducation.

Even without the SHAFTregulations, CBD companies are alreadyfacingchallenges, especially when it comes to reaching and educating consumers, due toa lack of clear regulations by the FDA.

Restrictive and widely disparate policies have been implemented by independent organizations like CTIA on howFacebook(NASDAQ:FB),Amazon(NASDAQ:AMZN),

Google(NASDAQ:GOOG),Shopify(NYSE:SHOP),TikTok,Twilio(NYSE:TWLO) and many more,can market, communicateand sell their hemp-derived CBD products, Brandon explained.

These platform restrictions have left CBD brands with few options for marketing and educating people. The confusion around CBD has been present for a long time, mostly, because the compound can also be found in the cannabis plant, whichcontains THC. But, it is important to note that while THC can get you high, CBD cannot and does not. It is a non-intoxicating compound also found in hemp.

CBD has been safely used for years as a natural remedy for better sleep, reducing stress, minimizing menstrual cramps, aiding skin health, relieving pain, and for general anti-inflammatory purposes, Brandonpointed out.

The petition is only the beginning for the CBD Brand Coalition, said Assaf, adding that their goal is to remainas an ongoing coalition and to holdquarterly meetings to talk about the most important matters in the industry.

The majorissue is now the new SMS restriction, Assaf said, adding that they willalso collaborate on a campaign around Facebooks limitations. The petition already has more than 13,600 signatures.

Whats so special and unique about this initiative is that it isthe first time (in a long time, or ever) that a group of some of the biggest CBD and cannabis brands is choosing collaboration over competition, joining forces to spread awareness about an issue that affects us all, Assaf explained.

Our goal is much bigger than the SMS matter, she added we areon a mission to destigmatize CBDand advocate for regulations that legitimize and validate the industry and end the legal ambiguity that restricts what we can do. We all believe wholeheartedly in the therapeutic potential of the cannabis plant and we want to open up more peoples eyes to its role in health and wellbeing.

Photo: Courtesy of CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash

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EXCLUSIVE: CBD Censorship Continues Amidst Ongoing Cannabis Legalization Trend - Benzinga - Benzinga