T-Mobile has been told by a judge to respond by Sept 22 and to appear at a Sept 30th hearing to explain their actions in blocking a text "short code". Short codes are abbreviated cell phone numbers used for special campaigns. Weedmaps.com was one of the customers using the particular short code to notify their clients of pricing specials.
While T-Mobile claims the shutdown was due to a procedural issue, while EZ-Texting, which has filed the suit, claims they have information which states that T-Mobile shut it down because of Weedmaps, calling it "an unsanctioned and inappropriate service." Medical marijuana is legal in California, which would counter the statement by T-Mobile. Justin Hartfield, co-founder of Weedmaps explains it’s not the first time he’s encountered companies reluctant to co-operate with the legal operation of marijuana dispensaries in California because of the conflicting federal laws against it.
EZ-Texting CEO Shane Newman warns of the ramifications of companies deciding which organizations they are willing to work with. "If T-Mobile takes a stance on blocking lawful content on Medical Marijuana, does this mean they are going to take a stance on all issues? What about gay marriage? Does T-Mobile plan on blocking information on that? Where does it end?"
