‘Pro-pot media’, marijuana-infused coffee and cannabis-based cocktails…what we’ve been reading this week at Brand Genetics

                                                            5th March 2018
                                                        
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                                                                            3 minute read

This week at Brand Genetics we’ve been reading all about the cannabis economy and a few unorthodox insights have caught our eye…

JWT have produced a comprehensive report on the future of the cannabis economy, exploring the changing nature of marijuana’s cultural value. The North American Marijuana market is booming; making $6.7 billion in revenue in 2016, up 30% from the year before, with sales estimated to jump an additional 33% to hit $10 billion by 2017. The report suggests that by 2020 the marijuana market could top $22 billion!

If you’re thinking this doesn’t apply to you because the substance isn’t legal in your country, think again, because the report explains how an overwhelmingly ‘pro-pot media’ is pacing the way to both the availability and acceptability of cannabis on a global scale. Interestingly, many have compared the rise in marijuana spending and the annual growth in the cannabis industry to the “rapid penetration” of cable TV in the 1990s and broadband internet in the 2000s. This comparison of course highlighting a major attitudinal shift towards cannabis and its perceived benefits in recent years.

A key component in the rise of the cannabis economy is the role it plays in the growing wellbeing trend. As the report explains, marijuana is undergoing significant rebranding “shedding its stoner image to become part of a chic, wellness-forward lifestyle”. Cannabidiol, CBD, is an increasingly popular plant-based medical alternative to traditional drugs. CBD is the non-psychoactive cousin of THC, is derived from the cannabis plant and produces feelings of calm. Products such as Dosist, a pre-filled dose pen with a high CBD formula, claim to manage pain and ease anxiety, and are being used as alternatives to treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and crohn’s disease.

Herb essentls is a line of cannabis-infused skincare products

Cannabis has also been claimed as a beauty super-ingredient. Premium beauty brands are infusing their products with all-natural CBD and hemp extracts, with studies suggesting that cannabis contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory helping fight major skin problems such as acne.

We are also seeing the rise of “cannabis fine dining” and “high-end edibles” as premium cannabis-infused food and drinks become popular. Confectioner Vanessa Lavorato makes organic chocolates aiming to “take the taboo out of cannabis”, and startup Brewbudz launched marijuana-infused coffee pod which are not only compatible with Keurig brewing machines but are also biodegradable.

Sadly, it is not all good news about the rise of the marijuana market. Many fear a significant decline in alcohol sales as a consequence. This article by Forbes suggests that the beer industry could lose more than $2 billion in retail sales due to legal marijuana sales, suggesting the beer industry should also be concerned about the growing number of cannabis-based cocktails like Modern Martini, hitting the market. Finally, this report from the Cannabiz Consumer Group (C2G) states that 27% of beer drinkers have already substituted cannabis for beer or would make that switch if marijuana was legal in their state.

The Human Experience (HX) learnings? Marijuana is booming business. Prepare to see the rise of a cross-section of cannabis-based products in areas where the substance has been legalised. From cosmetics to cocktails, the cannabis economy is disrupting with speed and will likely threaten alcohol sales unless that industry fights back with innovation!