#FREECBD Stop Censoring CBD Campaign Aims to Reach 15,000 Signatures
The conversation and usage of CBD have greatly improved recently, with more people than ever before using and supporting the phytocannabinoid. However, there is still a lot of misinformation doing the rounds especially since CBD was added to S.H.A.F.T. which is content deemed as offensive and which forms part of content relating to sex, hate, alcohol, firearms and tobacco (S.H.A.F.T.). Understandably, this has caused a lot of problems for CBD companies.
What Does Being Added to S.H.A.F.T. Mean?
Now that CBD has been added to S.H.A.F.T., CBD companies are no longer allowed to use SMS messaging as a way to promote their products. The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) monitor S.H.A.F.T. and if a company is found to be violating the rules by continuing SMS marketing, it will face enormous Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fines.
Many companies, including CBD companies, heavily rely on SMS marketing as a way to promote their products and brand. By taking that form of marketing away from CBD companies will negatively impact their business as a form of the marketing they rely on is now obsolete. However, CBD companies aren’t accepting this and are ready to put up a fight.
The #FREECBD Stop Censoring CBD Campaign
CBD being added to S.H.A.F.T. has sparked outrage, and CBD brands and the community as a whole are up in arms. Prestigious hemp company Prima along with many other CBD companies formed a coalition and started the “Stop Censoring CBD” campaign. Their first step was to create a Change.org petition known as #freeCBD with the goal of reaching 10,000 signatures by the end of August. The petition states that: “As a coalition of brands, healers, advocates, and champions of hemp-derived CBD, we have organized this Stop Censoring CBD #freeCBD initiative to help bring awareness to the unjust inclusion of CBD in the S.H.A.F.T. guidelines and the overarching issue of CBD being poorly regulated.”
The petition has a number of goals besides just disputing the addition of CBD to S.H.A.F.T. and also aims to:
- Pressure the FDA and FCC to create clear regulations and guidelines around CBD that will not only educate consumers, but also act as guidelines to brands
- Provide credibility to safe and reputable CBD businesses
- Have the S. 1698 Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act passed
- Advocate that CBD is not an illicit substance
The number of signatures is rapidly rising. Hopefully, the popularity and support will make a difference.
Brands in the Coalition
Various CBD brands and advocates have joined the coalition to stop the censorship of CBD. Members include:
- Prima
- Apothecanna
- Botanica Boutique
- Fleur Marche
- Calm Better Days
- FruitsLabs
- Empyri
- Cann
- Recess
- Onda Wellness
- oHHo
- Svn Space
- Plant People
- Omura
- Flor De Maria
- Juna
- Receptra
- Foria Wellness
- ENUF Period
- Papa and Barkley
- Looni
- Plant Society
- Raw Botanics Co.
- Sweet Reason
- Hivi
- Miss Grass
- Vertly
- Liweli
- Muri Lelu
- Quim
- Toastyy
There is strength in numbers, and if CBD brands and the community stand together, change is possible.
Do Your Part
If you believe CBD should stop being vilified and censored, help #FREECBD by signing the petition here. The aim is now to reach 15,000 signatures to become one of the most signed petitions on the Change.org site. Make governments and lawmakers who persecute CBD sit up and take notice. CBD does not belong on a list that includes drugs and hate speech. It is not a drug or dangerous. In fact, studies show it has many natural benefits people can make use of. It is time to stop the hate and show the world just how amazing CBD is.
