Sober(ish)’s Post

WARNING: IF MAKING PROFIT ISN'T YOUR THING, DO NOT READ THIS POST I see most brands are struggling with distribution in Ontario, and no wonder—there are nearly 5000 SKUs, with 1700 stores over 1 million square kilometers. with the average store stocking only 400 skus. It’s understandable why brands struggle with distribution. Especially brands that aren’t local to Ontario. If you are searching for answers, there is a simple solution: It’s called The Dope Box. It’s the most cost-effective way to get your products into the hands of key decision-makers at retail stores. The Dope Box is a game-changer. If you are interested in learning more, shoot me a message or visit https://lnkd.in/eH8pJKs9 OCS Ontario Cannabis Store #cannabis #cannabisindustry

What brings 'Long Term Brand Success' in the Canadian Cannabis Industry? Is it awards won? Is it the most sales or the best marketing? Is it having the best quality? The hard truth is that it's none of these! Long term success for any brand in this industry will only come from Integrity. Continuous Improvement. Passion. I've spoken with many Producer's over the past few months and I've met a few very passionate people. I want to share something that I believe shows true integrity and commitment to long term success... ~ A producer released a couple of phenomenal new strains to market. Well grown, properly cured, no irradiation, and at a great pricepoint! They got some great feedback initially, but product still moved slowly despite it's impressive quality (as it does for many new brands). As their product aged, it became dry and lost it's appeal (no terp shield). They received a few complaints and quickly ensured that those retailers and consumers were well taken care of and happy. Then, rather than discount the remaining product and sell it anyways (as so many do), they recalled everything. They initiated the required changes in their processes and are set to release some amazing new products soon (with Boveda Inc. this time). These are owners/growers that honestly care about the quality of their product and the consumer's overall experience. ~ It's brands like these that will see long term success in this industry. Brands that stand behind their product, own any issues that may arise, and deal with them properly rather than taking the cheapest way out. Brands with passionate leadership that strive to continuously improve their already amazing products and are working at building a solid brand reputation. I am gathering a very small portfolio of carefully selected brands with passionate and driven leadership, from right here in Ontario! Brands with flower that's been properly grown and cured, and hasn't seen the process of Irradiation. Brands with concentrates, edibles and drinks that provide a full spectrum experience, without the use of distillate (the hotdog water of cannabis). Brands that deserve to be recognized for their amazing quality products, and their commitment to continuous improvement and customer service! I'll be shining a massive spotlight on these brands soon!!! You ready? 🔥🔥ONTARIO'S GOT SOME FIRE!!!🔥🔥 Help support Ontario's Economy every day. Buy products that are Ontario Made #cannabis #cannabisindustry #ontario #craftcannabis #licensedproducer #ocs #ontariocannabis #ontariomade #microproducer #cannabiscommunity #educate #cannabiseducation #curing #fullspectrum #cannabinoids #terpenes #solorep #freelancerep #createchange #irradiation #consumertoconsumer #manufacturing #entourageeffect #datadeals #economy #ontariogrown #continuousimprovement #feedback

Breaking New Ground in the Cannabis Industry! At Avaans Media, we understand the transformative power of strategic collaborations. By partnering with established brands across food & beverage, beauty, wellness, and fashion, cannabis companies are not only innovating but also reaching broader audiences. These collaborations are key to diversifying product portfolios, enhancing brand credibility, and overcoming regulatory challenges. Curious about how these partnerships are shaping the future of cannabis? Dive into our latest blog post to discover how these dynamic alliances are driving the industry forward. #AvaansMedia #CannabisCollaborations #Innovation #BrandPartnerships #ConsumerProducts #CannabisIndustry #ElevateYourExperience #WellnessJourney

We are delighted to announce the launch of Jane Gold, a first-of-its-kind consumer rewards program built to benefit the entire cannabis industry ecosystem. This patented technology allows cannabis brands that cannot ship direct-to-consumer the ability to provide exclusive cash-back rewards and personalized experiences to consumers across the Jane dispensary partner network. Brands that participated in the Jane Gold beta saw an average increase of 7% in overall sales, with 60% of those sales coming from first-time shoppers. Dispensaries on the Jane Gold network received brand-subsidized discounts without reducing their margins, resulting in a 30% increase in average order value per customer. Big thanks to our dedicated team and partners for making this dream a reality! Let's continue to grow this industry together. Read the official press release here to learn more about Jane Gold: https://lnkd.in/gJVetya9 #JaneGold #cannabisindustry #rewardsprograms #techindustry #innovation

The Cannabis Experience: Are We Losing Touch? As the retail cannabis market grows, I've noticed something worrying – the consumer experience is often neglected. But for me, and many others, this is what drives our decision to return to a specific storefront location. What sets your dispensary apart from the others on the same street? It's the unique experience you create! In a sea of similar-looking dispensaries, differentiation is key. Your dispensary should make customers feel something special. While the impact on revenue might not be immediate, a memorable experience fosters long-term loyalty and repeat visits. Think about the best customer experiences you've had in other industries – maybe it was a coffee shop that remembered your name and order, or a hotel that provided exceptional service and made you feel at home. These experiences leave a lasting impression and make you want to return. The cannabis industry is no different. Creating a warm, inviting atmosphere and offering personalized service can turn a one-time visitor into a life-long loyal customer. The future of retail cannabis isn't just in the products we sell, but in the experiences we craft. Let’s refocus on what truly matters: creating an exceptional consumer journey that stands out. How is your dispensary making its mark? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! #CannabisIndustry #CustomerExperience #RetailCannabis #CustomerLoyalty #MarketDifferentiation

FORBES Seth Rogen And Evan Goldberg’s Latest Buzz: Check Out Their Rolling Paper Collab With OCB Javier Hasse Senior Contributor A column about cannabis, hemp, CBD and psychedelics.Follow Jan 23, 2024,09:00am EST Seth, Evan & Mikey COURTESY OF HOUSEPLANT In an exclusive reveal ahead of its official announcement, Houseplant, the cannabis lifestyle brand co-founded by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Michael Mohr, has formed a partnership with OCB, a revered French rolling paper company with a century-long heritage. This collaboration, christened Houseplant by OCB, is poised to unveil a premium line of rolling papers and cones, making its digital debut on February 16, followed by a wider retail introduction in the spring of 2024. The Union Of Two Industry Titans In an April 2023 Forbes cover story by Will Yakowicz, the rolling paper market is valued at an astonishing $2 billion to $3 billion globally, with North American sales nearing $550 million at wholesale levels. OCB distinguishes itself as a rare entity that controls the entire paper-making cycle, right from sourcing sustainable fibers to producing the final product. Under the guidance of Don Levin, founder of Republic Brands and owner of legacy brands like Zig-Zag, E-Z Wider and JOB, Republic Brands has carved out a significant share of the North American market, producing 1.2 billion booklets of rolling paper annually, as per the article. This alliance harnesses Houseplant's standing as a leader in the cannabis lifestyle sector and Seth Rogen's global fame, alongside OCB's renowned expertise in paper manufacturing. Michael Mohr, CEO and co-founder of Houseplant, sees the Houseplant by OCB product line as addressing a market need, particularly in consumer education and product quality. "From the first time Don and I spoke, the potential of what we could achieve together was clear," Mohr says, highlighting the synergy between OCB’s superior paper products and Houseplant’s authority in the smoking category. Seth Rogen, co-founder of Houseplant, echoes this enthusiasm. In an exclusive statement, he comments, "Going to France and seeing the highest quality rolling papers get made from start to finish was literally a dream of mine… We were blown away by the process and are so happy to have found a partner that cares as much as we do about giving weed smokers the elevated experience they have always deserved." A Competitive Landscape While Houseplant and OCB concentrate on both rolling papers and cones, Bryan Gerber's Hara Supply has emerged as a formidable player in the pre-rolled cone segment.

Muha Meds is a cannabis brand that delivers a reliable experience. Reliability is criminally underrated in retail. It’s everything to the customer! It can be hard to judge the effectiveness of a cannabis product because results vary depending on the person. Here's what I can tell you for sure: ✅ The brand's style is easy to differentiate from competitors. ✅ Cost is competitive. This product doesn't need to be on sale to sell. Sometimes people only want 1 bag, or they can get a good deal from buying multiples. ✅ The variety matters. Customers want options. It's key how they always have multiple flavors. ✅ Many edible brands don't distinguish between sativa/hybrid/indica. This is a mistake. Labeling specific effects the customer might feel makes it easier to sell.

The Retail Cannabis Industry is Like a Grow Operation: Success Hinges on the Environment💙🔥👌 Just as the right environment is essential for a healthy, productive cannabis grow, the same goes for your retail space. Stress out your plants, and you'll have a poor yield. Stress out your budtenders, and you'll see similar negative results on your sales floor. Your retail environment is just as delicate—overloading your team with pressure leads to burnout, low morale, and ultimately, missed opportunities. Cultivate a supportive, balanced space for your staff, and they’ll help you reap the rewards of a bountiful harvest. Farm wisely, friends, and remember: Happy employees lead to happy customers and sustainable success. #protip #cannabis #environment

Some advice on how we do sub-branding at a large scale cannabis farm: If your cannabis brand isn’t selling as well as you would like, many farms will create a sub-brand to move discounted materials through so their primary product line maintains its image and standard of quality to the consumer. Before you go creating a new brand and discounting your material, though, the first thing you should do is try to improve your quality control and grow systems. This takes just as much effort as starting a whole new sub-brand but will more effectively build customer loyalty when they see you are investing into their experience. If you do create a sub-brand you must effectively differentiate the new product line from your primary brand. If both of them have the same products except one is just a bunch of way cheaper stuff, it’s only going to cannibalize your primary brand line. So use targeted, specific marketing for each brand and treat each line of products as their own independent entity. You can build strong customer loyalty with each of your brands as long as you make each one unique, enticing, accessible and enjoyable. For all my other farms out there I ask you this, how many brands is too many brands for one operation? #cannabisindustry #cannabissales #cpgsales #branding #i502

A lot of cannabis brands confuse value with price. Value isn’t created out of simply lowering prices. Value is a vector of price AND quality. If you reduce the quality of your inputs or lower QC standards to lower your prices, you are probably not creating value. Even worse, if you reduce the quality of your inputs, don’t lower your prices, and don’t change your messaging, not only is your product is losing value, your brand is losing trust. Conversely, if you gain efficiency in manufacturing and pass those savings on to your customer, without reduction of quality, you are creating additional value in your product. While the price of your product is bianary in nature (it only goes up or down), the ways you can increase the quality of your product (and the experience attached to it) are almost infinite: If you build a loyalty program to reward return customers, throw events to create a sense of community, or develop novel genetics to make your products more special, you are creating additional value in your product. If you support a worthy cause and your messaging creates a warm fuzzy feeling within your customers, you are creating additional value in your product. This is where we enter the world of Real (product-direct) vs Perceived (product-indirect) value…. **Side Note: In my book, as long as the drivers of ‘Perceived’ value are meaningful, engaging, and perform consistently in the long term, there is no difference between them and those that drive ‘Real’ value. Quality of the product is just as subjective as the quality of the experience.** While changes to the price of your product are short term in nature (despite having long term effects), a strategy of long term investment in R&D, product innovation, and consumer engagement are the best ways to create lasting value. Build better products, cheaper, and pass savings on to customers to create real (product-direct) value. Build better experiences, engage consumers to build community, and develop a sense of differentiation and exclusivity to create perceived (product-indirect) value. If you don’t, someone else will.