How to Write Cannabis Email Subject Lines That Customers Open

As a dispensary owner managing multiple aspects of your business, you understand the challenge of getting customers through your door in a heavily regulated industry. With strict marketing restrictions and intense local competition, your email subject lines are often the difference between engaging customers and getting lost in crowded inboxes (or spam!).

Let's cut to the chase: Most dispensary marketing emails never get opened. But yours can stand out with the right approach to subject lines.

Your subject line functions like your storefront display – attracting customers or sending them past. For cannabis businesses facing advertising limitations, email remains one of the few direct communication channels you control. But that only works if customers open your messages.

Keep these practical guidelines in mind when crafting your next campaign:

• Keep it concise: Aim for 40-50 characters maximum. Most of your customers check email on mobile devices, where longer subject lines get cut off.

• Be direct but professional: "Your weekend relaxation products are ready" performs better than vague or overly promotional language.

• Create genuine urgency: "Limited harvest: Premium flower available today only" drives action without sounding desperate.

• Focus on customer benefits: "Find your perfect sleep solution in our updated menu" connects your products to customer needs.

These approaches have proven effective for dispensaries facing the same challenges as yours:

Local Connection:

• "Springfield's exclusive: New craft-grown selection just arrived"

• "Support your neighborhood dispensary with member-only savings"

Product Spotlight:

• "Just landed: That uplifting strain you've been requesting"

• "Back in stock: Your go-to weekend pre-rolls"

Educational Value:

• "3 quick facts: Understanding the new cannabis regulations"

• "Budtender insights: Finding your ideal edible dosage"

The cannabis industry faces unique marketing challenges. Protect your business by avoiding:

• Any medical claims or health promises in the subject lines

• Language that could appeal to underage audiences

• Excessive punctuation or ALL CAPS formatting

• Direct mentions of specific discounts or pricing

• Unprofessional terminology or slang

The most effective way to improve opens is to understand what resonates with your unique customer base:

• Send identical emails with different subject lines to small segments

• Track which topics consistently generate the highest open rates

• Analyze when your emails perform best (day/time patterns)

• Ask your budtenders what questions customers ask most frequently

Implement these actions this week to see immediate improvements:

1. Review your last month's emails – identify which subject lines got the most opens

2. Create a simple document with compelling subject lines for future reference

3. Write at least 3-5 variations before finalizing any subject line

4. Test sending at different times to find your optimal window

Remember, effective email marketing isn't just about getting opens – it's about driving store visits and sales. Your subject lines should begin a conversation that brings customers through your door.

By focusing on clear, benefit-driven subject lines that respect compliance requirements and customer interests, you'll stand out in the inbox while building customer loyalty and repeat business.

Need Expert Support?

Our team specializes in cannabis email marketing for dispensaries like yours that maintain compliance without sacrificing results.

Schedule a 30-minute consultation to discuss how we can help you maximize your email performance and increase store traffic.