A behind the scenes look at the hottest rising trends from Washington’s legal cannabis supply chain in the Cultivera Marketplace, why they’re popular, who’s selling them the most, and where retailers can shop for more.
B2B Trends & Insights From Washington's Cultivera Marketplace
This month, as Summer begins and we prepare to unveil a new Market Report, we’re excited to share some of the most significant industry trends from last year’s Cultivera Market reports.
In our quarterly reports, we explore data from the Cultivera Marketplace in our home state of Washington. These unique resources offer behind-the-scenes looks at the i502 industry, with top-level sales numbers, performance leaderboards, trending products, and other valuable marketplace insights.
This Spring, guided by the Q4 Quarterly Report, our team of industry experts took a look at some of the most interesting insights and trends from past quarters, and 2024 overall, in Washington’s Cultivera Marketplace.
Utilizing these insights, our team has identified several noteworthy trends we expect to continue, and perhaps grow, this summer.
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Top 3 Inventory Trends & Summer Predictions
In the Cultivera Marketplace, three product categories emerged as particularly noteworthy, both in discussions and statistical data: Miniature Drinks, Miniature Pre-Rolls, and Frozen Treats.
Below, we explore each of these trending inventory categories, with popular product and brand examples. We also share the reasons we predict these categories will continue to dominate B2B charts.
1. Miniature Drinks
While infused drinks are becoming more popular across the supply chain, the most popular liquid edibles in Washington’s Cultivera Marketplace these days are in miniature!
The rise of smaller-sized liquid edibles, sometimes called “mini-shots,” is capturing attention in Washington’s B2B cannabis marketplace.
This trend is gaining traction for several reasons that appeal to both producers and consumers.
Often containing higher dosages packed into smaller sizes, cannabis “mini-shots” like those from Green Revolution, Evergreen Herbal, and Constellation Cannabis, are topping charts across the B2B marketplace.
“For liquid edibles right now, …the shots are the thing…. [Vendors] started to distribute this mini shot that was like 100 milligrams in just a few ounces of liquid, in a concentrated form, and it became a wild success overnight.”
Why the boost in popularity?
Besides their attractiveness to consumers, mini shots present unique advantages for both producers and processors.
Our team discussed the many ways that their smaller, shot-sized packaging offers discreet, portable delivery method allows for unintrusive consumption on the go.
Plus, they’re typically available with up to 100 milligrams of THC in resealable bottles, meaning consumers can choose between a few large doses, or small doses over time. This is in contrast with many canned drinks and large bottles, which often need to be consumed in one sitting.
Top performers for the last few quarters have included the 6.7 oz “Major” drinks from Evergreen Herbal on the larger size, and two ounce options on the smaller side, like Green Revolution’s Wildside Nano Shots, and Constellation Cannabis’s “Moonshots,” and brand new “Cantina” shots.
Other single-serving drink products on Cultivera Market right now include “Shotskis” from Walden, “Sipsy” shots from Harmony Farms, a variety of flavors from Agro Couture, and more.
2. Miniature Pre-Rolls
Minis. Snappers. Tinys. Whatever you call them, the demand for smaller, single-serving joints is also on the rise!
While many Pre-Roll products tend to come in single gram sizes, and sometimes more, the industry is seeing an increase in interest for smaller joints. This trend is likely driven by similar reasoning as miniature drinks, such as convenience, ease-of-use, and shareability.
“There’s the convenience factor… people can bring a “tiny” and smoke it outside the venue they’re going to meet people at. It’s easier… it’s quicker.”
Sold in a variety of sizes, from .7 gram, .5, and sometimes smaller, these miniaturized pre-rolls allow for a single session, without having to put out (and store) a still-lit Pre-Roll. Plus, they are often sold in multi-packs, allowing for easy sharing in a group!
“Most people don’t have the time, or really the tolerance, to smoke a full gram infused joint, or even the half gram or .7 gram joint, so they’re looking for something that they can smoke real quick, and that is not going to be overwhleming.”
Many brands also offer multi-packs of various types of mini-joints, for more diverse product options. These allow consumers to more easily try different brands, strains, or blends, with an incredible variety on shelves.
A few notable examples in Washington’s Cultivera Marketplace include Agro Couture, Native Sun Grown, Peak Supply, and Hannah Industries, with a variety of .5 gram multipacks in multiple strains, and Saints, one of the brands featured in MJ Ventures.
Other vendors currently offering mini joints and pre-rolls also include Walden, Giving Tree Organics, OMG Sykes, Royal Tree Gardens, Hemp Kings, Sunshine Farming, New Standard, and Gold Services.
3. Frozen Treats
Frozen desserts, infused with cannabis? Could there be a better Summer treat?
Over the last year, the concept of infused frozen treats has emerged as a delightful summer option for shoppers.
Within the Cultivera Market datapoints, frozen desserts such as sorbet are tracked with the “Liquid Edibles” category. And like the category in general, the popularity of these products continues to grow!
Although they currently occupy a small segment of the marketplace, the increasing popularity of frozen desserts suggests a potential surge in cold edible products as summer rolls in and temperatures rise.
“The sorbet is really popular. That’s definitely going to remain at the top, come Summer, beause it’s one of the best frozen treats. It’s the only frozen treat, really, that offers any consistency, and they have a variety of flavors.”
As of publication, leading edible providers at Cormorant are regularly topping charts with infused frozen treats available all year around.
First appearing in the Cultivera Market Report in Q1 of 2024, Cormorant’s 4 oz. sorbet products have consistently remained in the Top Five Liquid Edible leaderboards ever since.
Within six months, their sorbet had risen from fourth place on the list to first, coming in at #1 Liquid Edible for both Q3 and Q4 of that year.
Industry Insights
We’ll be keeping track of these trends as the year goes by, to see how their popularity and sales growth continues. In the meantime, our team continues to learn from the insights offered by the quarterly Cultivera Market Reports.
Here are a few things we’ve learned from these product insights alone:
**Convenience Is Key**
When we take a look at these trends combined, they show a potentially significant shift in buyer, and consumer, preferences.
For example, contrary to the common belief that all consumers want larger, stronger products, this year’s cannabis trends seem to prioritize convenience, discretion, and personal wellness. As we explored above, the most popular products have instead been smaller in size, rather than larger, with miniature drinks and miniature pre-rolls taking over the charts.
These potential shifts challenge the prevalent notion that larger and more potent products are universally preferred by shoppers. Instead, these product trends within Washington’s Cultivera Market show a B2B focus that has shifted toward offerings that emphasize convenient, discreet delivery methods, and informative, wellness-focused experiences.
As a result, it makes sense that businesses are increasingly recognizing consumer interest in products that seamlessly integrate into their lifestyles, allowing for ease-of-use without drawing attention. From disposable vaporizers for use on the go, to miniature drinks that fit in a pocket, to single-serving pre-rolls packed in convenient boxes, single-serving products that offer discretion and convenience offer to make consumption simpler.
**A Focus On Effects**
Top inventory and products frequently utilize informative labeling that emphasizes the products desired effects, rather than just names and percentages. A few examples include Wyld’s chart-topping gummies, the number one edible in Washington’s Cultivera Marketplace, and Ceres.
“I find that the more information they can squeeze on a lable or a product, the better it sells. You can see that reflected in the Wyld products, in particular, as well as the Saturn Group (Ceres)…”
These products feature clear, detailed labels with effect-based information that helps both budtenders and shoppers better understand it and how it may affect them. In particular, noting these desired effects takes a lot of guesswork out of the shopping experience for any consumer, and makes assisting customers easier for budtenders across the board.
The popularity of products with user-centered labeling is yet another piece of the puzzle indicating growing consumer interest in personal wellness. Clearly labeled, informative details beyond regulatory requirements may not seem important, but the fact is that the industry continues to grow, and shoppers have more options, and questions, than ever.
A lot of [Wyld’s] products are formulated with not only thc, but they offer CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC. …formulas that are catered to experiences that are more full-spectrum-driven. They have a whole packaging and marketing plan for their products that focuses on balanced effects, or uplifting, or restful effects, or even sleep formulas.”
The result? One of the industry’s most popular gummies, holding the #1 Edibles spot in Washington’s Cultivera Market Report since 2022.
“People love the packaging, and the marketing, because the products are marketed to direct consumers to the exact effect or desire they’re looking for.”
Together, these B2B trends from Cultivera Market highlight a growing awareness of the importance of personal wellness, as consumers prioritize products that not only meet their recreational needs but also contribute positively to their overall well-being.
As a result, companies are innovating to create smaller, more user-friendly products that cater to this evolving demand.
This could be reflecting a broader cultural shift towards mindfulness and personal care in the cannabis industry.
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