10 Best Email Marketing Tools for Cannabis Holiday Campaigns

Email marketing is crucial for cannabis businesses during the holidays, allowing direct customer engagement, high ROI, personalization, and relationship building. However, the industry faces advertising restrictions, making email marketing a valuable solution.

When choosing an email marketing tool, prioritize cannabis-friendly policies, automation, segmentation, design customization, e-commerce integration, analytics, and cost-effectiveness.

Top Overall Choice: Klaviyo – Advanced design tools, detailed analytics, powerful segmentation.

Best Budget Option: MailerLite – Affordable, user-friendly, with automation and segmentation.

Best for Advanced Automation: Active Campaign – Sophisticated automation, CRM features, robust reporting (CBD only).

Best for E-Commerce Integration: Omnisend – Custom workflows, pre-built templates, cart abandonment tools.

Tool	Cannabis-Friendly	Key Features
MailerLite	Yes	Automation, segmentation, templates
Klaviyo	Yes	Advanced design, analytics, segmentation
Alpine IQ	Yes	Full CRM, compliance, advanced analytics
Omnisend	Yes	E-commerce tools, custom workflows, templates
Moosend	Yes	Automation, templates, list management
Hubspot	Yes	CRM, workflows, analytics
Flodesk	Yes	Visually appealing designs, user-friendly
Active Campaign	CBD only	Advanced automation, CRM, reporting
Constant Contact	Some restrictions	User-friendly interface, good support
SendX	Yes	Limited information available

Select the right tool based on your business needs, budget, and the importance of automation, segmentation, design, e-commerce integration, and analytics for your holiday campaigns.

Choosing the Right Email Marketing Tool

Cannabis-Friendly Policies

When picking an email marketing tool for your cannabis holiday campaigns, it’s vital to choose a platform that allows cannabis-related content. Many mainstream providers prohibit or restrict the promotion of cannabis products due to legal issues and advertising rules. Using a cannabis-friendly platform ensures you comply with industry regulations and avoid account suspensions or content restrictions that could disrupt your holiday campaigns.

Key Features to Look For

Feature	Description
Automation and Segmentation	Set up targeted email sequences triggered by specific actions or dates, like welcome series, abandoned cart reminders, or holiday promotions. Segment your audience based on factors like location, purchase history, and preferences to ensure your holiday messaging resonates with each customer group.
Email Design and Customization	Create eye-catching emails that align with your brand’s aesthetic using customizable templates, drag-and-drop builders, and design tools. Incorporate festive elements, product imagery, and compelling calls-to-action to enhance the impact of your holiday campaigns.
E-Commerce Integration	For businesses with an online store, seamless integration with e-commerce platforms allows you to sync customer data, track purchase behavior, and create targeted campaigns based on shopping cart activity or product browsing history.
Analytics and Reporting	Access detailed insights into metrics like open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and revenue generated to measure the success of your holiday email campaigns and make data-driven decisions.

Cost Considerations

While advanced features are desirable, it’s important to balance platform capabilities with cost, especially for smaller cannabis businesses operating on tight budgets. Evaluate the pricing plans and value propositions of different email marketing tools to find the best fit for your business needs and budget. Consider factors like the number of subscribers, email volume, and additional features required to ensure you’re getting the most value during the critical holiday season.

Tool Recommendations

Here are the top 10 email marketing tools suitable for cannabis businesses and their holiday campaigns:

1. MailerLite

MailerLite is a user-friendly email marketing platform that welcomes cannabis businesses. It offers automation, segmentation, and customizable templates.

Tool Name	Pros	Cons
MailerLite	– Affordable pricing – Easy to use – Automation and segmentation – Customizable templates	– Limited advanced features – Basic reporting

2. Klaviyo

Klaviyo is a robust platform with advanced design capabilities, analytics, and excellent segmentation features for targeted cannabis campaigns.

Tool Name	Pros	Cons
Klaviyo	– Advanced design tools – Detailed analytics – Powerful segmentation	– Higher cost for small businesses – Complex setup process

3. Alpine IQ

Alpine IQ is a cannabis-focused platform offering full CRM features, compliance support, and advanced analytics.

Tool Name	Pros	Cons
Alpine IQ	– Full CRM capabilities – Compliance support – Advanced analytics	– Steeper learning curve – Expensive for startups

4. Omnisend

Omnisend is an e-commerce-focused platform with comprehensive features for cannabis businesses, including customizable workflows, pre-built templates, and cart abandonment tools.

Tool Name	Pros	Cons
Omnisend	– E-commerce features – Custom workflows – Pre-built cannabis templates – Cart abandonment tools	– Higher pricing for advanced features – Somewhat complex interface

5. Moosend

Moosend is an affordable and easy-to-use platform that supports cannabis content and offers robust automation features.

Tool Name	Pros	Cons
Moosend	– Affordable pricing – Easy to use – Supports cannabis content – Robust automation	– Limited integrations – Basic design tools

6. Hubspot

Hubspot is a comprehensive CRM and email marketing platform with extensive features for cannabis businesses, including customizable workflows, customer support, and analytics.

Tool Name	Pros	Cons
Hubspot	– Extensive CRM and marketing tools – Customizable workflows – Good customer support	– Expensive for small businesses – Overwhelming for beginners

7. Flodesk

Flodesk is a design-focused platform with a flat-fee subscription model, offering beautiful email designs and ease of use.

Tool Name	Pros	Cons
Flodesk	– Flat-fee pricing – Visually appealing designs – User-friendly interface	– Limited automation features – Fewer integrations

8. Active Campaign

Active Campaign is a platform with advanced automation, excellent CRM features, and good reporting. It’s suitable for CBD businesses but not for THC businesses.

Tool Name	Pros	Cons
Active Campaign	– Advanced automation – Excellent CRM features – Good reporting	– CBD only, no THC allowed – Higher cost for smaller subscriber lists

9. Constant Contact

Constant Contact is a user-friendly platform with good customer support and flexible plans, but limited advanced features. It’s suitable for small to medium-sized cannabis businesses.

Tool Name	Pros	Cons
Constant Contact	– User-friendly interface – Good customer support – Flexible pricing plans	– Restrictions on CBD and THC content – Limited advanced features

10. SendX

SendX is an affordable email marketing platform suitable for cannabis businesses.

Comparison and Recommendations

Comparison Table

Tool Name	Cannabis-Friendly	Pricing	Key Features	Strengths	Weaknesses
MailerLite	Yes, allows CBD and THC	From $9/month for 1,000 subscribers	Email automation, segmentation, customizable templates	Low cost, easy to use	Limited advanced tools, basic reporting
Klaviyo	Yes, allows CBD and cannabis content	From $20/month for 500 subscribers	Advanced design, detailed analytics, powerful segmentation	Robust features, excellent segmentation	Higher cost for small businesses, complex setup
Alpine IQ	Yes, dedicated cannabis platform	Custom pricing	Full CRM, compliance support, advanced analytics	Cannabis-focused, compliance features	Steep learning curve, expensive for startups
Omnisend	Yes, allows cannabis content	From $16/month for 500 subscribers	E-commerce tools, custom workflows, pre-built templates	Strong e-commerce integration, cart abandonment tools	Higher pricing for advanced features, complex interface
Moosend	Yes, allows cannabis content	From $9/month for 500 subscribers	Automation, templates, list management	Low cost, easy to use, robust automation	Limited integrations, basic design tools
Hubspot	Yes, allows cannabis content	From $45/month	CRM, customizable workflows, analytics	Extensive features, good support	Expensive for small businesses, overwhelming for beginners
Flodesk	Yes, allows cannabis content	Flat fee $38/month	Visually appealing designs, user-friendly	Flat pricing, beautiful templates	Limited automation, fewer integrations
Active Campaign	Yes for CBD, no for THC	From $9/month for 500 subscribers	Advanced automation, CRM, reporting	Excellent automation, CRM features	No THC allowed, higher cost for small lists
Constant Contact	Allows some cannabis content	From $9.98/month	User-friendly interface, good support	Flexible pricing, easy to use	Restrictions on CBD/THC content, limited advanced features
SendX	Yes, allows cannabis content	Custom pricing	Email marketing, automation	Low cost	Limited information available

Top Overall Choice

Klaviyo stands out as the top overall choice for cannabis holiday email campaigns. Its advanced design tools, detailed analytics, and powerful segmentation make it well-suited for creating targeted and visually appealing holiday promotions. While more expensive for smaller businesses, Klaviyo’s robust features and excellent segmentation justify the investment for businesses seeking a comprehensive email marketing solution.

Best Budget Option for Small Businesses

For small cannabis businesses on a tight budget, MailerLite is the best value-for-money option. With pricing starting at $9 per month for 1,000 subscribers, MailerLite offers a user-friendly platform with essential features like automation, segmentation, and customizable templates. Although lacking some advanced capabilities, MailerLite strikes a good balance between cost and functionality for small businesses running holiday campaigns.

Best for Advanced Automation and Segmentation

For advanced automation and segmentation features, Active Campaign is the standout choice. While it does not support THC businesses, Active Campaign excels with sophisticated automation, excellent CRM features, and robust reporting tools. For CBD businesses seeking granular control over email campaigns and customer segmentation, Active Campaign’s advanced automation and segmentation options make it a top contender.

Best for E-Commerce Integration

For cannabis businesses with a strong e-commerce presence, Omnisend is the best tool for seamless integration. With its e-commerce-focused features, such as custom workflows, pre-built cannabis templates, and cart abandonment tools, Omnisend is well-equipped to support holiday campaigns that drive sales and enhance the customer experience. Its strong e-commerce integration capabilities make it a valuable asset for cannabis retailers looking to maximize their online sales during the holiday season.

Conclusion

Key Points

Selecting the right email marketing tool is crucial for cannabis businesses aiming to maximize the holiday season. With numerous options available, it’s important to evaluate your specific needs and consider the recommended tools based on your business requirements. Effective email marketing can lead to increased sales, customer engagement, and brand loyalty, making it an essential part of any cannabis marketing strategy.

By understanding the importance of:

Cannabis-friendly policies
Automation and segmentation features
Email design and customization
E-commerce integration
Analytics and reporting
Cost and value

You can choose the perfect tool for your business. Whether you’re a small startup or an established brand, the right email marketing tool can help you achieve your goals and stay ahead of the competition during the holidays.

Key Consideration	Explanation
Cannabis-Friendly Policies	Ensure the platform allows cannabis-related content to avoid account suspensions or content restrictions.
Automation and Segmentation	Set up targeted email sequences and segment your audience for personalized messaging.
Email Design and Customization	Create visually appealing emails aligned with your brand using customizable templates and design tools.
E-Commerce Integration	Sync customer data, track purchase behavior, and create targeted campaigns based on shopping activity.
Analytics and Reporting	Access detailed insights into metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to measure success.
Cost and Value	Balance platform capabilities with cost to find the best fit for your business needs and budget.

FAQs

Can I use MailChimp for cannabis email marketing?

MailChimp’s policy on cannabis-related content is unclear. While they don’t outright ban it, their terms prohibit promoting "illegal goods or services." Since cannabis is still federally illegal in the U.S., there’s a risk of account suspension or termination.

Here are the key points:

MailChimp has historically not allowed promoting cannabis products.
They permit CBD and hemp products if legal in the sender’s location.
For cannabis/marijuana businesses, there’s a chance of getting banned.
Many cannabis companies report having their accounts terminated by MailChimp.

To avoid risks, it’s advisable for cannabis businesses to use email marketing platforms designed specifically for the industry. These cannabis-friendly platforms provide a safer and more reliable option for promoting cannabis products without worrying about account termination.

MailChimp Policy	Details
Cannabis Products	Historically not allowed
CBD/Hemp Products	Allowed if legal in sender’s location
Risk for Cannabis Businesses	Potential account suspension or termination
Industry Experience	Many cannabis companies report getting banned

10 Best Email Marketing Tools for Cannabis Holiday Campaigns