Business

Cannabis Marketing 3.0 is here, and the old playbook doesn’t work anymore. Social myths have collapsed, AI alone can’t save creative, and brands are losing customers because their websites feel like relics from 2017. These are the new realities of marketing in a rapidly changing industry where creativity, speed, data, and customer understanding must work together. The brave win. The passive fade. Here’s what actually drives growth now.

Cannabis cultivators often celebrate yield, but volume alone doesn’t guarantee profitability. Many grows unknowingly scale losses because key expenses — overhead, indirect labor, and material consumption — aren’t accurately tracked. When cost visibility is missing, even high-performing strains can drain margins. In today’s tight market, operators need precise cost intelligence, not guesses. Knowing the real cost per gram helps cultivators eliminate waste, refine their product mix, and build a more resilient, profitable operation.

Wyoming’s U.S. attorney said marijuana possession on federal lands will face strict prosecution under revised Justice Department guidance.

As cannabis markets evolve worldwide, operators are leaning on automation not just to boost efficiency but also to strengthen culture. From Canada’s GMP-driven systems to Germany’s early adopters and Latin America’s export-focused producers, global peers reveal a clear reality: Manual systems can carry a company only so far. Here's how equipment, flexibility, and people-first training help manufacturers scale sustainably without losing their identity.

From gourmet sauces to mochi gummies, today’s hemp-derived edibles go far beyond standard gummies and chocolates. This curated roundup highlights innovative, gift-worthy products that appeal to foodies, wellness shoppers, and holiday hosts looking for something fresh, functional, and fun.

Acquisition addiction is eating into cannabis margins. Brands spend heavily to win first-time buyers, only to start over again next month. By centering customer lifetime value (CLV), marketers can shift from one-and-done transactions to profitable, long-term relationships. Here's how to use CLV segments, first-party data, and compliant programmatic media to increase purchase frequency, lower effective CAC, and turn your best customers into loyal advocates.

Since its 2021 debut, Blunt Brunch has grown from a 50-person meetup into a national women-led movement reshaping cannabis industry networking. Founders Adelia Carrillo and Parisa Rad have built an empowering community where authentic connection leads to mentorship, partnerships, investment, and lasting friendships.

A new national survey reveals cannabis consumers value digital convenience, personalized recommendations, and knowledgeable budtenders — especially heading into Green Wednesday, one of the year’s biggest sales days. The findings highlight demand for features like online ordering, one-click rebuys, loyalty incentives, and promotional deals. Retailers that blend smart technology with strong customer service appear best positioned to drive repeat visits and larger baskets.

Certificates of analysis (COAs) are widely treated as the gold standard of cannabis ingredient quality, but they don’t always tell the full story. Many reveal only what the lab was asked to test for, and labs have powerful incentives to report favorable results. The result is a quiet but growing crisis of inconsistency, reformulations, and lost consumer trust.

Cannabis beverages are stepping into the spotlight while alcohol consumption rapidly falls as Americans rethink their drinking habits. A new report forecasts U.S. cannabis drink sales will reach $2.8 billion by 2028, growing nearly seven times faster than alcohol. From infused seltzers to low-dose tonics promising relaxation or recovery, innovation is bubbling across the category as health-conscious and budget-minded consumers seek alternatives to traditional beer, wine, and spirits.