In 2022, we saw the Canadian cannabis market expand further with positive sales growth and increased consumer usage in various product categories, from edibles to vape pens. While much is changing within our ever-growing industry, we anticipate a few cannabis trends to start putting their best foot forward in 2023.
To satisfy modern consumer demands, appealing new product formats are starting to emerge and catch our attention. When we think of cannabis use, we often think of intoxicating flower, and in today’s markets, we see state-of-the-art innovation combined with age-old traditions.
Infused Pre-Rolls
As consumers fall in love with the ease of ready-to-go joints, aka pre-rolls, they have, unsurprisingly, fallen in love with the potency of THC. As demand increases for stronger flower cannabinoid and terpene profiles, enthusiastic consumers are seeking out the increased potency that comes with infused pre-rolls.
These pre-rolls can take one’s euphoric experience to the next level with the addition of an extract or concentrate or perhaps a combination of these premium cannabis products. The potency addition can be outside or inside the pre-roll and could include kief, hash, diamonds, rosin, and more. With the pre-roll category having the most robust year-over-year category sales growth in Canada from 2021 to 2022, we anticipate seeing a full spectrum lineup of infused pre-roll formats available at cannabis stores in 2023.
Cannabis Blunts
While infused pre-rolls pack a powerful punch and simultaneously eliminate the need to roll tediously, connoisseurs furthermore seek out the luxury experience that comes with a cannabis blunt. Traditional blunts are tobacco-removed cigars replaced with cannabis flower, or flower rolled using tobacco or various other leaves.
The cannabis blunt can hold a lot more flower than your average pre-roll; they are considerably sturdier and offer a slower burn for a more extended smoking session. For those who like to indulge during a celebratory occasion, share in a session with the company of others, or want to spice up a stagnant smoking routine, the cannabis blunt is sure to be a new product format that offers elevation from the mundane.
“Not-so-minor” Cannabinoids
Since legalization began, a heavy focus has been on THC products, but at the expense of other “not-so-minor” cannabinoids. THC-incorporated formats, from flower to topicals to beverages, are readily available on the market and have continued to dominate sales basket purchases across the country. In 2023, with a shift in consumer behaviour as cannabis education becomes more prominent, excitement arises around lesser-known three-letter cannabinoid combinations, with CBN being a forerunner.
Cannabinol (CBN) is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids found naturally in the cannabis plant, in addition to the most dominant cannabinoids, THC and CBD. CBN is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that forms when THC degrades from heat, oxygen, or light exposure. But did you know this cannabinoid offers strong sedative properties for sleep and has been an option for replacing traditional over-the-counter sleep aids? Although found in minute amounts in flower, CBN will also be found within edibles, capsules, oils, and tinctures.
For the future, we can never be too sure when looking into our (slightly hazy) crystal ball, but we know that 2023 brings renewed optimism and energy to the cannabis industry. Trends, product styles, and the smell of weed may come and go, but if we look to our senses, we can find what resonates best for our minds and our bodies.