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10 of the Biggest Cannabis Trend Predictions for 2019

BDS Analytics has crunched the numbers from 2018 and compiled their predictions for what will be the biggest cannabis trends for 2019.

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Cannabis Trends
PHOTO | Adobe Stock
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It’s that time of year again! We’ve been keeping our eyes on the people, trends, and products in the cannabis industry that are on the rise. When growth is as rapid as the cannabis industry, things change quickly. And while we don’t claim to be cannabis clairvoyants, we do have some data-driven predictions of upcoming cannabis trends.

BDS Analytics has crunched the numbers from 2018 and compiled their predictions for what will be the biggest cannabis trends for 2019.

Boomer Use is Blooming

Baby Boomers are an important and growing demographic. They are more likely to consume cannabis because it helps with their health (67 percent). But it’s not that simple, 60 percent of them also admit just doing it for fun.

Brand + Quality = Success

Brands that are In every category outside of flower — edibles, concentrates, and topicals — brands are driving growth by building loyal fan bases with quality products.

In Colorado, branded products equal 96 percent of the edibles market And its competitive out there. During Q3 2015, the top five brands controlled 61 percent of concentrates sales in the state. But by Q3 2018, sales in the top five accounted for only 35 percent. Others are coming on strong as brand awareness of fighter brands increases.

Bud-Based Beverages

Fancy a cup of cannabis? Cannabis drinks racked up sales of $30 million through November 2018, and are forecast to reach $374 million by 2022. This frothing market is overflowing with choices; kombucha, tea bags, pre-packaged canna-coffee, water-soluble powdered mixes, beers, and wines. Bud-based beverages are in full ferment, and CBD (without THC) beverages are both big and increasingly mainstream.

There are many ways to consume cannabis, but perhaps none easier — or more socially acceptable — than simply sipping your sensimillia.

Consumer Loyalty

Cannabis prices keep on dropping because consumers prefer affordable products. In Oregon, the most competitive state, the average price of flower has dropped from $9.27 a gram (Jan 2016) to $4.27 (Nov 2018). But, the price-dip scenario was reversed in California. Edibles prices averaged $14.43 (March 2017, before recreational legalization) and rose to $20.93 (Nov 2018) after supply & demand dynamic responded to more stringent testing laws.

While prices in all broad categories — flower, concentrates, edibles and topicals — have declined in Colorado, none of the drops compare to flower. Concentrates, for example, fell merely 20 percent between January 2016 and November 2018

Therefore it seems that premium products can still triumph. Educating the public will ensure continued rapid growth while offering a combination of price value, consistent/accurate dosing, convenience and quality is a sure way of establishing a strong, loyal, and more frequently purchasing customer base.

Convenience

While some people love elaborate glass dab rigs, the masses crave convenience in all forms, especially novice users. That’s why “location location location” is a top consideration for where consumers shop.

In fact, 67 percent of consumers say it’s vital, with 50 percent admitting they are “largely” influenced by the convenience of the consumption form when choosing a product. It’s a top five decision factor. Therefore it seems likely that convenient delivery modes of accurately dosed products (like sublingual strips) will become increasingly popular.

And finally, delivery matters — as in delivery services — just as it does for all other products. Who today isn’t having others shop for what they are buying? Uber weed anybody?

Education Is Key

CBD is super hot right now.  That’s because its the single most therapeutic part of cannabis, with demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidizing, bone strengthening, brain protecting, analgesic qualities and more. With a rep like that, CBD products are taking off across the US, with edibles making up 53 percent of products, and topicals 24 percent.

But public/consumer knowledge is low. In fact, 69 percent of US citizens still don’t know the difference is between CBD and THC, let alone that CBD cant get you high AND reduces the high of THC.

That’s why most CBD users are already cannabis savvy, but even then only 39 percent of cannabis users have tried CBD. In contrast, only 9 percent of acceptors and 1 percent of rejectors have tried CBD.

Honesty in Advertising

While weed is safe enough to wing your dose, more consumers are demanding products accurately dosed to ‘dial in’ an exact experience. 33 percent of edibles consumers prefer low-dose products, (defined as products containing less than 10 mg of THC per serving), 40 percent of edibles consumers prefer high-CBD products, and 27 percent of these consumers prefer low (1mg)THC/high CBD (10 mg) products. 33 percent of consumers want more accurately dosed products and 41 percent of consumers want labels to state effects, (‘relaxation’, ‘energy’).

Innovation = Understanding Consumers

While mainstream consumers keep growing in number, engaging with the discerning, educated, and experienced consumer is key. What they like today, the mass market will likely embrace in six months. Discerning consumers are influencers, early adopters and lead indicators who are willing to spend more for quality, keep up with technology, care that products are locally grown or manufactured, and prefer local, natural, organic, and socially interested brands. They also care about things like processing methods, terpenes, additional cannabinoids, growing methods, and packaging.

Rec or Med… It Doesn’t Matter Anymore

The Boomer crossover is a clear trend in cannabis consumption. Already, 64 percent of US citizens realize that cannabis has health value, and 88 percent of citizens in legal states endorse it for health. Therefore, as people become more canna-savvy, and the herb loses its stigma, more consumers will use it to feel good and to feel well.

Fewer people will self-identify only as “patients” who need medical-only shops. Rec and/or medical consumers will morph into a single canna-consumer. This can be seen in the 73 percent of pain sufferers who also use cannabis for pleasure, and the rapid expansion of medical cannabis markets in states without adult use (eg. Arizona, $22m January 2017-$56m May 2018).

Social Clubs

High there, friend! 71 percent of cannabis fans love to get high for fun and social reasons. 33 percent specifically indulge before meeting others. We think this means that they will leap at the chance for legal public consumption spaces.

Progressive cities like Las Vegas, San Francisco and Denver will likely lead the way, fostering fun the rest of the country will follow. We expect legal cannabis social clubs to blossom through 2019.

Cannabis

Pink Lemonade: This Sparkling Strain Is Both Pretty & Potent

The frosted pink buds of Pink Lemonade might dazzle the beholder with glittering layer of golden trichomes, but this gorgeous flower isn’t all looks.

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Pink Lemonade
PHOTO | Anna Wilcox

Dusted with a glittering layer of golden trichomes, the Pink Lemonade strain is endowed with a mystical appearance that embodies everything curious, attractive, and intriguing about cannabis flowers. Tightly bound calyxes dazzle with a bouquet of pink, violet, and sage coloration.

Cracking open one of these flowers emits a comfortable herbal aroma. A burst of crispness teases the nose, somewhat akin to the tart fizz in a carbonated cherry drink. This dessert-like aroma nicely compliments a definite happy hour high. Calm, relaxed, and downright chill, Pink Lemonade is a true afternoon delight.

The Pink Lemonade High

Put on some chill beats and pour yourself a nice drink. This plant is smooth, easy, and well-rounded. If inhaling Pink Lemonade feels like the first meaningful breath you’ve taken all day, you might be pleasantly surprised as a subtle relaxation works its way along the limbs and through the muscles.

There’s no doubt about it–this plant is a go-to strain for mellowing out. While often described as thoughtful and creative, the herb is better suited to leisure activities than it is serious concentration.

While solo consumers may enjoy putting on some Netflix after a little of this plant, it’s peaceful and contented nature is ideal for social gatherings. Spending time with friends may always be fun, but it’s easy to sit back enjoy a pleasant conversation after a few tastes of Pink Lemonade.

It’s worth mentioning, however, that cannabis affects everyone differently. The herb tends to be a mood enhancer rather than an instant remedy for happiness. If you are in an easygoing and relaxed environment, expect even more mellow after enjoying a little bud. If you’ve been having a bad day, strains like Pink Lemonade may provide relief by softening negative emotions and making them more tolerable.

Pink Lemonade Strain Background

Today’s cannabis market is truly a craft one. To say that the lack of federal recognition of the herb is problematic is an understatement. However, one benefit of state-by-state legalization is the development of truly local, expertly crafted products.

Pink Lemonade is a superb example of such a flower. There are many renditions of Pink Lemonade out there, yet the particular version pictured is a cross between two contemporary hybrids, Lemon Cheesecake and Huckleberry Soda.

Each parent strain is exceptional in its own right. Lemon Cheesecake is a sativa-dominant flower with a sour cream aroma and substantial THC production. Huckleberry Soda is a craft hybrid from Annunkanki Genetics, an intriguing cross between two hybrids, Black Cherry Soda and Huckleberry Hound.

Pink Lemonade Strain Benefits

As a craft flower, Pink Lemonade was arguably bred more for enjoyment than serious medical potential. It’s frosted pink buds dazzle the beholder, showcasing the fact that this plant is truly a treat. However, this gorgeous flower isn’t all looks.

The flower produces upwards of 25 percent THC. This means that the plant may be useful to those who benefit from high-THC therapies. Those interested in making a full-extract oil, hash, or other forms of concentrates may also enjoy experimenting with this sugary herb.

This plant is not too energizing nor is it overly sedative. However, those hoping for a little extra help falling asleep at night may find the flower helpful. The relaxed flower may also be beneficial for anxious individuals in search of a social lubricant.

However, the high-THC content in Pink Lemonade can inspire the opposite effect in some people. Bottom line: if you are prone to social anxiety or often respond poorly to THC, this potent flower is likely not the best choice.

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Cannabis

Peach Oz: This Sweet And Juicy Cultivar Will Stimulate Your Creativity

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PEACH FUZZ | PHOTO: WONDERBRETT

If you’re looking for a premium cultivar with legendary genetics and a euphoric high, look no further than Peach Oz, the latest addition to Wonderbrett’s stellar strain menu.

A cross of Peach Rings with OZ Kush and a descendent of Zkittlez, the sweet, stimulating citrus taste profile of Peach Oz will get your creative juices flowing.

While the cultivar may be new to the public, according to Wonderbrett Co-Founder and famed Breeder Brett Feldman, it’s five-years-old in the world of genetics.

“There’s only a small handful of heady smokers who follow these things,” says Feldman. “I wanted to bring it to the masses to share the experience with everybody. That’s where my passion comes from with this strain. Similar to an amazing dish at a restaurant, you want to share it with your friends.”

Grown in small-batches at scale from the company’s state-of-the-art Long Beach cultivation facility, the strain was first created by Dying Breed Seeds, then perfected by Cannabis By Corey, before making its way to Feldman.

Wonderbrett’s grow room | PHOTO: Courtesy Wonderbrett

Bursting with flavors and aromas that bring to mind the sweet ocean breeze and fragrant fruit orchards of the California sunshine state, Peach OZ’s four dominant terpenes: Caryophyllene, Linalool, Limonene and Humulene, create a distinct sweet taste of ripe peaches, citrus candy and cream.  

“When any strain has that unique, recognizable consistency in its flavor, whether that be peach, lemon or orange, that’s what myself and other breeders appreciate most and look for when bringing a genetic like this to market. It’s mind-blowing what Peach OZ can do that, translating a fruit flavor to a smoking experience,” explained Feldman.

Peach OZ is available at select dispensary and at Wonderbrett’s flagship dispensary in L.A.

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Cannabis

Wizard Stones: The Magic of Making Cannabis Diamonds

Aaron Palmer and Graham Jennings, founders of Oleum Extracts in Washington State, talk about Wizard Stones, their THCA isolate product.

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Wizard Stones
PHOTO | Oleum Extracts

Heat, pressure, and time. The three components required to form a diamond from carbon. But what about diamonds made from cannabis? The founders of Oleum Extracts, Aaron Palmer and Graham Jennings both agree that a good cannabis diamond aka Wizard Stones ultimately comes down to the flavor provided by its terpene fraction.

‘Diamonds’ is a slang term for the crystal formations of the cannabinoid THCA. The molecule’s lattice structure builds upon itself naturally as individual molecules clump together creating the faceted formations that resemble diamond or quartz.

When most people talk about cannabis diamonds, they’re talking about THCA structures that form in their own terpene sauce. So, it’s a little different technique than other isolation methods.

While their chemical composition is the same, the process to make them is slightly different than the traditional diamonds mined from a raw extract. Instead, they use a specially formulated solvent mix to create a solution with a composition that encourages crystallization.

Due to Washington state’s regulations, Oleum is limited in the chemical solvents they can use. So that blend is the crucial variable to isolating THCA into their Wizard Stones product.

Growing cannabis diamonds within their original terpene fraction comes down to creating an environment with the right amounts of pressure and heat to encourage crystal growth.

Within the raw extract, the terpene and cannabinoid compounds are homogenized together, but as they settle and separate the mixture “crashes” — which is the start of crystallization.

Palmer explains that this process “helps to create a seed because if there’s nothing for the THCA molecules to grab onto then they have a harder time starting the diamond formation.”

There are a few ways extractors seed a solution to start diamond growth, but Oleum prefers to use freezing temperatures to solidify and then thaw their extract, helping to create small groupings of THCA for other molecules to stack off.

Another common seeding technique is to drop a previously grown crystal into the extracted mixture of cannabis compounds, giving the THCA something to grow off.

This technique is especially useful when filming a time-lapse of the crystal growth because it gives the camera a focal point knowing where the formation will grow from.

Creating Wizard Stones

The above timelapse video was photographed over a four day period by Dankshire. We can see diamonds begin to form almost immediately. However, the crystallization process can take a month if not longer to complete once a raw extract is jarred and waiting to crash.

Oleum utilizes custom-built isolation vessels for their production diamond runs but admits that the jar tech allows more visibility into the process.

Jennings points out, “You see the jars, we even do the jar stuff a lot. It’s more popular… and people know what it is compared to a large isolation vessel that no one can see into it but you know it’s growing 2,000 grams of crystals.”

Each batch can present a different ratio of diamonds to sauce and it seems like everyone wants a little different combination. “We just give ‘em what it makes,” Jennings said.

That’s the beauty of isolated products like cannabis diamonds and sauce; you can mix your own cocktail of cannabis compounds and really dial in the flavors and feelings that you’re after.

Wizard Stones grown in their own sauce create a potent, refined, and pronounce expression of the strain they are extracted from.

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