Kaitlin DomangueDecember 2, 2020

To make at least one thing easy in 2020, we are kicking off the Green Market Report holiday gift guide series with the best gift sets to purchase for all of the cannabis enthusiasts in your life this year! Gift sets are the perfect choice for anyone trying to work smart, not hard this year and let’s face it, we all need to take it easy this holiday season! These gift sets are great, just order, wrap, and gift – you’re done and you don’t have to stress.

There is something on this list for everyone, so if you are buying a gift for a cannabis/CBD lover – read on!

Nugg Club

First up on our list is Nugg Club. This is a very unique gift set, and the only one on our list that has marijuana, and not hemp-derived, products! Because of this, Nugg Club delivers only locally to Orange County and most of Los Angeles, California. The cool thing about Nugg Club is that it is a subscription service, you can get a box of awesome cannabis products delivered to your door each month – no dispensary line hassle!

They’ve put together a holiday subscription service that makes gifting a box to your friends in California so much easier. Choose between a one, two, or three month membership – or you have the option to give them a $65 gift card!

A sample box received by the Green Market Report came with some really cool products, like cannabis-infused pineapple syrup with 200 total milligrams of THC by Cannavis, a box of full-sized pre-rolls, a box of mini pre-rolls, a king sized pre-roll infused with oil and kief by Cali Green Gold, spicy passion fruit cannabis-infused gumdrops by Serra, cannabis-infused hard candies by Oasis, vegan gummies by Flav with 100 milligrams of THC, as well as a Coda chocolate bar and some watermelon gummies by Elefante.

Nugg’s holiday box is a $225 value, but priced at $99 a box plus tax! Keep in mind, California has a cannabis sales tax, too, so it might come out to around $120 with tax depending on how much you purchase.

Charlotte’s Web

The famous CBD brand really went above and beyond this year to provide a gift set for everyone. The company has released four gift sets for the 2020 holiday season. All gift sets can be purchased directly on Charlotte’s Web’s website. Right now, they are actually having a 30% off sale on their gift sets – so run, don’t walk, and grab your set! They are all customizable and allow you to choose products that best meet yours (or your recipient’s) needs!

Calm Set

The Calm gift set is the set to choose for the one who has been working hard all year long. It features three CBD products: CBD gummies, an oil, and a CBD roll-on. The Calm gummies have delicious lemon balm extract infused with CBD, and the lemon balm addition is perfect for melting your stress away.

Choose a 60 milligram bottle of CBD oil in your recipient’s desired flavor, plus a hemp-infused roll-on! The Calm gift set starts at $164.97 when there isn’t a sale happening. This is the perfect set for anyone dealing with extra stress, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t need a little calm right now!

Sleep Set

The Sleep gift set is perfectly designed to help the ones in your life who need a good night’s rest – or a few good nights of rest! Give the gift of great sleep this year, who wouldn’t appreciate that?

This contains delicious CBD gummies infused with melatonin and you can choose between a 30, 60, or 90 count! You can also choose 60 milligram CBD oil in orange blossom, lemon twist, or mint chocolate. Select a hemp-infused roll-on with the choice of two soothing scents: lavender or mint. The sleep set retails at $164.97 without the sale!

Recovery Set

The Recovery set is the gift for anyone needing a little R&R! Choose between a CBD balm or a stick version of the balm for on-the-go recovery. The balms are thicker in consistency than the roll-ons in the other set, so it’s perfect for lathering on those sore muscles. Like the other sets, you can choose between a 30, 60, or 90-count jar of gummies and your choice between a lemon twist, orange blossom, or mint chocolate flavored CBD oil.

Couples Set

This set retails for $139.97 when the gift sets aren’t on sale. You have your choice between a 60 or 90-count bottle of the Recovery or Sleep gummies, a few different sizes of CBD oils and flavors, as well as your choice of a cream or balm CBD topical. This is perfect for couples to enjoy the experience of using CBD – together.

LEVEL SELECT

LEVEL SELECT is the gift set to choose for any athlete in your life! Seasoned athletes, beginner athletes, and weekend warriors alike will treasure this gift set like gold. All of the products are hemp-derived, so no worries about getting any sort of psychoactive effect like with marijuana. This set features Level 2 CBD oil drops and the brand’s Level 3 Sports Cream.

This brand is a favorite of many athletes, including PGA golf pro Rickie Fowler, former NFL quarterback Carson Palmer, and WNBA legend Ann Myers Drysdale. The LEVEL SELECT gift set retails for just under $100 at $99.99, a fabulous deal for anyone!

Be Merry and Well by Caliva

Caliva’s Be Merry and Well gift set is the perfect one for the amazing people in your life who need self-care. You know the ones. The hardworking, never stopping, hustling people in your life, they are the ones who need this set.

This set is truly an unbeatable price, retailing for only $50 – making it the lowest price gift set on this list!

For just $50 you’ll receive a CBD moisturizing serum to refresh and soften skin, a luxurious CBD bath bomb, and a fun tote and a cosmetics bag! This is also the perfect Secret Santa gift that requires you to stay under $50! Skip the traditional candles and holiday coffee mug this year and grab this gift set instead for your next holiday party.

Martha Stewart’s CBD Sampler

Who doesn’t love Martha Stewart?! She has an incredible CBD gummy sampler pack featuring a whopping 15 different flavors. The set retails for $64.99 and the 60 gummies feature a CBD isolate extract, so no worries of THC!

Each gummy is 10 milligrams and comes in a delicious, gourmet fruit flavor. There are some truly mouthwatering flavors like red raspberry, green apple, and strawberry, as well as some more unique flavors like rhubarb, persian lime, passionfruit, and grapefruit.

This is the perfect set for any Martha Stewart fan in your life, or simply someone that loves a great, thoughtfully-crafted CBD gummy! The gourmet flavors are sure to be a hit for any palate, and the box is so beautifully designed that it would even look nice on your countertop.

StaffJanuary 16, 2020

Caliva has officially announced the opening of its new cannabis retail concept store, DELI, in Bellflower, CA, officially marking the brand’s expansion into the Los Angeles area. The new DELI store location also allows for deliveries within a 10-mile radius around Bellflower and enables Caliva to reach over 2.7MM customers in greater Los Angeles.

Designed to cater to cannabis connoisseurs, DELI offers an experience, not just a transaction. The store resembles a traditional deli, with a friendly vibe designed to evoke the nostalgia of great customer service in a trusted neighborhood environment. Upon arrival, customers take a number and are seated at the deli counter, where budtenders talk through their freshest product assortment.

“Our mission at Caliva is to provide ubiquitous access to plant-based solutions for happiness, health and healing. Expanding into the Los Angeles market, both with a physical retail location and a same day delivery service, has been a priority for us. We are thrilled about our opening of our innovative omni-channel DELI experience,” said Dennis O’Malley, CEO of Caliva.

As one of the largest flower companies by revenue in California, as reported by BDS Analytics, Caliva’s DELI retail store will provide the same quality flower consumers have come to know and love, but at neighborhood-friendly prices and purchase bulk options. The DELI retail store will also offer a full range of DELI by Caliva branded products, including pre-rolls and flower at affordable prices for consumers looking for consistency and convenience. DELI will be open Sunday through Thursday 9 am to 9 pm as well as Friday & Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm. The DELI store is located at 9535 Artesia Blvd. Bellflower, California US 90706.

“The DELI store concept is all about catering to the well-versed cannabis consumer who knows what they like. Customers learn about daily deals and fresh new items that are added regularly to the assortment. In keeping with this mindset, DELI provides a unique shopping experience allowing customers to come in and browse their favorite products at leisure, knowing when they walk out the door, they receive superior service and have have quality products from one of the best cannabis retailers,” said Elizabeth Cooksey, SVP of retail at Caliva.

William SumnerJuly 9, 2019

It’s time for your Daily Hit of cannabis financial news for July 9, 2019.

On the Site

Caliva

Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter announced online today that he will enter into a multi-year partnership with Caliva as Chief Brand Strategist. The statement said that he will play a crucial role in driving creative direction, outreach efforts, and strategy for the brand. Caliva is one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis companies in California and has quickly become a market leader in cannabis consumer products in the state.

Radient Technologies

Cannabis and hemp extractor Radient Technologies Inc. (TSXV: RTI)(OTCQX: RDDTF) reported that the company lost C$18 million in its financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.The company only reported revenues of C$214,060 for the year and expenses of C$18,319,167. The cost for that revenue was C$131,249. On a positive note, the company’s cash balance at the end of its fiscal year totaled C$31,752,852, representing an increase of $9,897,548 from March 31, 2018.

Executive Spotlight: Erin Gore, Founder & CEO of Garden Society

Erin Gore is founder and CEO of Garden Society, a California-based, cannabis-focused benefit corporation serving women in search of new, more holistic ways to rejuvenate from the rigors of their daily lives. Garden Society creates artisanal confections and sun-grown pre-rolls that connects biodynamic farming, sustainable ingredients and strain-specific cannabis in a variety of products.

Green Growth Brands

Cannabis retailer Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB)(OTCQB: GGBXF) is acquiring MXY Holdings LLC also known as Moxie in an all-stock deal valued at $310 million. The deal is expected to close within six months. Moxie is located in three states at this time, California, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Michigan is set to be the fourth state. The products are in 250 dispensaries, which is a retail relationship that GGB would like to leverage. Moxie provides customers with high-quality recreational and medical cannabis products.

In Other News

Surterra Wellness

The medical cannabis provider Surterra Wellness announced today that it has appointed Fareed Khan as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who will be responsible for corporate finance, investor relations, tax and shared services activities. Formerly serving as the CFO for the Kellogg Company, Khan helped drive the company’s corporate strategy to include revitalizing key brands through targeted investment and transforming the company’s portfolio through mergers and acquisitions. “Fareed’s track record of translating strategy into initiatives that drive growth for both private and public companies, across a number of industries, will propel our continued success,” said Surterra CEO and Chairman William “Beau” Wrigley, Jr.

KushCo Holdings

KushCo Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB) announced today its financial results for the third quarter ending on May 31, 2019. Net revenue was $41.5 million, representing a quarter-over-quarter increase of 17.9%.On a GAAP basis, gross profit was 17.8%. On a GAAP basis, the net loss was $10.6 million, up from $9.2 million in the same period of the previous year. Cash on hand is approximately $12.2 million. “We expect demand to increase for the Company’s core product offerings as the cannabis and hemp markets continue to expand and mature. Our customer base is gaining strength with the largest multi-state operators and Canadian LP’s starting to scale in existing markets, while also preparing for growth in new emerging geographies – including recently approved Illinois,” said KushCo Chairman and CEO Nick Kovacevich.

StaffJuly 9, 2019

Caliva is one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis companies in California and has quickly become a market leader in cannabis consumer products in the state. The company has a best in its class facility in San Jose, that produces top quality flower and cannabis oil.

In this position, Mr. Carter said he will focus on and work to increase the economic participation of citizens returning from incarceration – many of who are not seeing the monetary benefits of legalization – through advocacy, job training, and overall employee and workforce development.

“Anything I do, I want to do correctly and at the highest level. With all the potential in the cannabis industry, Caliva’s expertise and ethos make them the best partner for this endeavor. We want to create something amazing, have fun in the process, do good and bring people along the way.” – Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter.

Carter joins a long line of rappers who have signed up with various cannabis companies. Many like Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, and Two Chainz have signed deals with companies or begun their own signature brands. While singers like Willie Nelson of Willie’s Reserve don’t seem involved on a daily basis, Khalifa is known to be deeply involved in the creation of his brand Khalifa Kush.

Caliva branded products can be found at their flagship dispensary in San Jose and dispensaries throughout the state of California. Last month the company acquired Zola, the maker of plant-powered beverages, to expand into the cannabis and hemp-based CBD (hCBD) beverage space. Caliva is exploring entering the infused beverage market in several categories, including sparkling water, functional shots, functional powders, teas, cold brew coffee, and sports drinks. Zola’s key relationships with distributors, ranging from regional to national, will enable fast rollout of hCBD beverages to targeted markets.

StaffFebruary 12, 2019

The First Cannabis Focused Tech Company to Move Beyond The Industry

Denver, CO – February 12, 2019 – Cannaregs, Inc. the leading web-based data technology platform providing up-to-date access to comprehensive cannabis-related legal data including rules and regulations from municipal, county, state and federal sources, has just announced the completion of a $2 million capital raise to expand services and features nationally as well as beyond cannabis under the umbrella of Regs Technology (RegsTech).

RegsTechplans to deploy the capital strategically expanding its CannaRegs platform to enable the Company to scale nationally and expand its data platform beyond cannabis into other highly regulated hyper-local industries like shared transportation, electric and autonomous vehicles and emerging mobile telecom technologies.

“We’ve built a terrific set of advanced data services for our CannaRegs subscribers and are proud to be working with the best companies in the cannabis industry.” explained Founder and CEO Amanda Ostrowitz. “With this infusion of capital we’re confident that we will take RegsTech to the next level.”

Lead investors include Phyto Partnersand Panther Opportunity Fundalong with other high profile tech and cannabis VC investment. “By simplifying local legal search, Cannaregs helps all industry participants understand and comply with the laws saving time money and potential regulatory scrutiny.” said Larry Schnurmacher managing partner of Phyto. “As the cannabis economy continues to expand to more states, the need for this type of legal resource grows and we think cannaregs will capture that market.” said Larry Schnurmacher, Managing Partner of Phyto Partners.

“We are excited to be investing in RegsTech after following Amanda Ostrowitz over the last two years and seeing her grow her team and company to be the leading provider of local compliance and regulatory tracking software, stated Jordan Tritt, Principal at Panther Opportunity Fund. “Amanda and her team are very well respected among cannabis operators, consultants and government entities, and this capital raise will allow RegsTech to expand its reach within the cannabis industry as well as other highly regulated and localized industries.”

CannaRegs is regarded as the most trusted resource for cannabis regulatory and policy information. With over 500 users comprised of cannabis companies (e.g. Cresco, Kiva Confections, Caliva, Canndescent), law firms (Akerman, Thompson Coburn, Buchalter), governments (San Francisco, Sacramento, Mendocino County), consultants (3C Consulting, Green Wise Consulting, Muniservices), Real Estate Professionals (Kidder Matthews) and various other ancillary providers (Eaze, Hawthorne Gardening), its reach is far broader than the typical law firm audience of most legal tech platforms.

This capital raise ensures that CannaRegs is now able to offer even more information, new features, and enhanced user experience, while expanding nationally and with an eventual launch of additional Regs Techportals.

The next portal on the horizon for RegsTech is TransitRegs which will cover autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles and charge stations, app-based ride share, scooters, dockles bicycles and robotic deliveries.

About Regs Technology:

Regs Technology is a legal technology platform for highly regulated industries that are hyper-localized in nature. Its first product offering, CannaRegs, is a subscription platform that enables cannabis operators, law firms, investors, real estate professionals, consultants, and Governments to track cannabis regulation and policy, in real-time, providing users with critical information they need to make strategic business decisions, identify new opportunities and maintain compliance in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. CannaRegs currently provides comprehensive cannabis laws for the states of California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, Nevada, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, New York, Missouri, and Pennsylvania to be followed by all other states that permit medical and/or recreational marijuana. For more information visit www.cannaregs.com.

StaffJanuary 24, 2019

It’s time for your Daily Hit of cannabis news for January 24, 2019.

On The Site

Super Bowl Ad

On February 3, the 53rd Super Bowl in Atlanta Georgia will decide the league champion of football for the 2018 NFL season. If you are in attendance at the Super Bowl, you will see CBD coffee ads in the stadium, but if you are watching the game from home you will be not be exposed to any cannabis related advertising.

New York-based Acreage Holdings, Inc. (CSE: ACRG.U) wanted to run an advocacy ad during the game. The ad featured three medical marijuana patients saying how the product had helped them. It made no health claims for their own products and it didn’t promote the purchase of the company’s products. Football fans at the stadium will, however, see advertisements for Baristas Coffee Company, Inc. (OTCPK: BCCI) White Coffee and the new Baristas EnrichaRoast CBD Coffee. The company said that the ads will run throughout the day in and around the stadium before, during, and after the game, and will include a special offer to send a message to Maroon 5.

In Other News

Caliva

Carol Bartz, former CEO of Yahoo and Autodesk and former Cisco Board Member, along with three time Super Bowl MVP and Pro-Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana both participated in Caliva’s initial round of funding. Ms. Bartz will serve on Caliva’s Board of Directors.

“We are laser-focused on our strategy to build the most trusted brand in cannabis. With our best selling product portfolio, our large scale vertical integration, and our award-winning distribution channels we are confident we can maintain our growth rates in California in 2019,” said Dennis O’Malley, CEO of Caliva.

Caliva has quickly become a market leader in cannabis consumer products in California, which represents more than 35 percent of the overall United States legal cannabis market. While California’s cannabis economy shrunk by 17 percent year over year due to expanding regulations, Caliva grew its revenues by 350 percent. The company now employs over 440 workers and has two current operating locations in the Bay Area.

Kona Gold

Kona Gold Solutions, Inc. (OTC Pink: KGKG), a hemp and CBD lifestyle brand focused on product development in the functional beverage sector, is pleased to announce they have acquired the newly formed distribution company, Gold Leaf Distribution, LLC. Gold Leaf Distribution, a Florida based company, has purchased its first beverage truck, which will be fully wrapped to advertise Kona Gold Hemp Energy Drinks, HighDrate CBD Energy Waters, and Storm CBD Waters. The Company is presently conducting interviews to hire a full-time beverage sales person/driver that will establish new distribution routes in the Melbourne-Orlando Florida markets.

Elev8 Brands, Inc.

Elev8 Brands, Inc. (OTCQB: VATE) has acquired Blessed Bean Coffee, LLC. Elev8 Brands, Inc. continues to execute on opportunities for potential growth. The Company is now able to control the means of production from start to finish. Elev8 Hemp, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has seen tremendous growth over the last twelve months and should continue to do so throughout 2019. The Company has acquired Blessed Bean Coffee, LLC for 3,541,228 restricted common shares of Elev8 Brands, Inc. With the growing demand for Elev8 Hemp Coffee, the Company plans to purchase a larger roaster and other miscellaneous equipment to increase productivity and continue increasing the volume.

Plus Products

Plus Products Inc. announced that the OTC Markets Group, Inc. has approved the trading of the Company’s shares on the OTCQB® Venture Market and will commence trading under the symbol “PLPRF” on January 23, 2019. The Company’s shares will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “PLUS”.

Additionally, PLUS has also applied for eligibility for book-entry delivery and depository services of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), to facilitate electronic settlement of transfers of its shares in the United States. This electronic method of clearing securities speeds up the receipt of stock and cash and accelerates the settlement process for investors. DTC eligibility will help enhance the Company’s potential investor base and offer a more convenient trading experience for current and future shareholders while enhancing the liquidity of the Company’s shares on the OTCQB.

Vangst

Vangst, the leading human capital resource platform to the legal cannabis industry, announced today the closing of an over-subscribed $10 million Series A financing round. This round increases the total capital raised to date by the Company to $12.5 million. The financing was led by Casa Verde Capital and included Lerer Hippeau, among others.

StaffJanuary 15, 2019

Mainstream consumer goods companies continue to throw out their fears of the cannabis industry and instead are embracing all things CBD (cannabidiol.) Last week it was the shoe chain DSW (NYSE: DSW) that signed on with Green Growth Brands (CSE: GGB) to sell its CBD products in the shoe stores. Today Tilray announced it was going to work with Authentic Brands and provide the CBD for its over 50 brands of goods.

These companies are pursuing topicals for skin like foot creams, lip balms, and muscle rubs. CBD beverages though also show great promise for big brand companies. Cannabis research company Brightfield Group said in 2019 to look to continued CBD growth in mainstream retailers and more CPG (consumer packaged goods) companies are entering the space.

The beverage company New Age’s announcement of plans for a new line of CBD-infused beverages – a reveal that caused stocks to surge 528% is a sign that CBD is banging down mainstream products doors said Brightfield.

The only problem is that CBD tastes, well, funky. It’s usually described as having a bitter, earthy taste that takes some getting used to. The key to getting CBD beverages accepted by mainstream consumers will is fixing for the taste problem.

Seattle-based Tarukino developed an emulsion technology called Sorse. that has solved for consistency and taste by encapsulating cannabinoids in a water-soluble form that is odorless, tasteless and dissolves in water.

“The cannabis beverage industry today consists of products that smell like cannabis, taste bad and have an effect onset that takes longer than 20minutes. Tarukino solves all these issues,” said CEO Howard Lee.

The company has teamed up with California-based Caliva to bring cannabis beverages to the market. Caliva already produces flower, pre-rolls, and vapes and is known for its wellness options. Its products focus on motivating the mind, steadying the body, and inspiring creativity. Now it’s tinctures and beverages will use Tarukino’s technology in an exclusive agreement.

“After extensive due diligence, we are confident that Tarukino is the right nano-emulsion technology company to partner with,” said Dennis O-Malley, Caliva’s CEO.

According to sales rankings this past summer from Headset, the Caliva ranked as a top brand across its three product categories: pre-roll, flower, and vaporizer. In the pre-rolled joint category, Caliva led the rankings in the top five slots with its House Doobies, Dogwalkers, Super Sessions, and Toasties. In the cannabis flower category, the top four spots belonged to Caliva as well, with the company’s breakout hit Reef Leaf taking the top slot.

“Our rankings have become a key indicator of quality and scale in California,” says Cy Scott, CEO of Headset. “The category, segment, brand, and product trends continue to tell the narrative of the growth in the California cannabis market, and looking at real-time sales data, Headset is identifying which companies are establishing themselves as the major brands as this market evolves into the world’s largest cannabis economy.”

The first beverages are expected to be available for purchase in the first quarter of 2019 in the San Jose store.

StaffJanuary 14, 2019

Partnership with Tarukino fast-tracks Caliva into cannabis-infused beverage manufacturing

SAN JOSE – January 14, 2019 /AxisWire/ Caliva, The Most Trusted Brand in Cannabis, has partnered with the world’s leading nano-emulsion technology provider, Tarukino, to bring premium beverages to the California market.

Caliva is broadening its existing industry-leading product line of branded cannabis flower, pre-rolls and vaporizer cartridges to include tinctures and beverages powered by Tarukino’s technology.

“We are thrilled to expand into the ‘Good for You’ product category with a new beverage line launching next year,” says Dennis O’Malley, CEO of Caliva. “After extensive diligence, we are confident that Tarukino is the right nano-emulsion technology company to partner with. We are excited to bring the best beverages in the market to California consumers in 2019.”

Tarukino, a technology-driven cannabis company based in Seattle, produces the top selling cannabis-infused drink in Washington state, Happy Apple. Tarukino’s Sōrse™ technology solves common issues with beverage consistency and taste by encapsulating cannabinoids in a water-soluble form that is odorless, tasteless, and disperses completely in water.

Caliva has secured exclusive rights to utilize Tarukino’s Sōrse™ emulsion technology in California to launch its new line of great tasting, consistent, effective, and shelf-stable beverages.

“The cannabis beverage industry today consists of products that smell like cannabis, taste bad, and have an effect onset that takes longer than 20 minutes. Tarukino solves all of these issues,” says Howard Lee, CEO of Tarukino Inc. “When we looked for a partner in California we sought out the best and most trusted brand out there – and that was clearly Caliva.”

Caliva will be producing beverages from both their San Jose and Brisbane facilities, and is expected to launch the first beverages in its San Jose retail store in Q1 of 2019.

To learn more about Caliva, its product lines, and its Bay Area retail store, visit gocaliva.com.

About Caliva

Caliva is the most trusted brand in cannabis. San Jose’s premier cannabis retailer and cultivation facility opened in July of 2015. In September of 2016, Caliva was ranked the #1 dispensary in the nation by Business Insider. Its facility is one of the most advanced pharmaceutical-grade cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensing facilities in the United States, and a model for energy efficiency, safe access, and compliance. Caliva products are available for sale at licensed California cannabis retailers.

About Tarukino Inc.

Tarukino is a technology driven group of innovators creating surprisingly delightful, cannabis infused products for those in search of something better. Based in Seattle, Washington, Tarukino produces cannabis products based on its core technology, Sōrse™. Sōrse is the first and only water soluble cannabis product that produces entirely taste- and odor-free cannabis emulsions for infusion of medical and recreational products.

Anne-Marie FischerAugust 21, 2018

As the July 1 regulations had most California cannabis companies scrambling to meet compliance standards for cannabis products, two companies implemented the best practices they had been planning since January 1 and are now dominating the California cannabis industry.

Headset, a real-time data source for the cannabis industry released their Insights Report where Caliva and Papa & Barkley are creeping up to the top, holding 50 top-10 rankings across the state of California.

Smoking Sensations

Caliva is leading in the flower, pre-roll and vape categories, proudly showcasing information about the testing standards completed for phase II compliance in California. The San Jose based retailer offers some of the industry’s finest pre-rolls, including “House Doobies” and Dogwalkers, and Toasties, rolled into the Caliva Collection.

By passing the California cannabis standards that came into effect July 1, in regards to packaging, testing, labeling, using child- and tamper-proof technology, and using prominent wording on labeling, Caliva rose to the top.

“We started preparing for July 1 regulations in earnest by January 1st. It wasn’t easy,” says Dennis O’Malley, CEO of Caliva. “We cycled through a couple different testing labs until we felt confident we found the best.”

From the consumer perspective, it was the trust that customers feel in the Caliva experience. “Trust means providing a pristinely compliant product that does what it claims to do every time,” says O’Malley, “At Caliva, we are obsessed about delivering the products the consumers want in the manner and channel of where and how they would like to purchase.”

The Caliva Collection is an excellent example of the best practices in packaging, labeling, and engaging the customer experience.

Topical and Tincture Trailblazers

Papa & Barkley is dominating the California cannabis industry in the way of cannabis tinctures and topicals. Their strategies began early with an “all hands on deck” approach to the changing packaging and labeling regulations. In the ever-changing industry, they never see their job as complete, “We are currently working on flexible on-demand packaging systems in anticipation of more regulation changes,” says Kimberly Dillon, CMO.

Of their success in topicals, Dillon attributes ease of use and a demand for non-psychoactive products; “Topicals are an easy introduction to use as a wellness product,” Dillon says.

Providing products ranging from balms to patches, to body oils, to body soaks under the Releaf brand, Papa & Barkley provides clear labeling on both their products and on their website. Tinctures and capsules allow oral ingestion for those who are looking to use cannabis without smoking or vaping.

When Preparation Meets Opportunity

It required a strong investment to get cannabis products up to snuff for California’s regulations. “We did not predict the large impact that the July 1 regulations would have on the industry,” says Caliva’s O’Malley, “We took our lumps in Q1 of this year,” in preparation for the July 1 regulations.

For Papa & Berkley, the process is continuously evolving as they come out with new product lines and anticipate new regulation changes, demonstrating the need to be nimble in the industry.

Both companies are seeing new opportunities emerge and are working those into their strategies. “Products need to fit into consumers’ daily lives and for the vast majority of the new cannabis consumer, there needs to be micro-dosed options,” says O’Malley. Caliva plans to release products marketed as “fun for you”, “good for you”, and “relief for you” to help consumers get their best cannabis experience.

For Papa & Berkley, it’s all about helping people use tinctures and topicals to explore the vast array of products and medical cannabis therapies available to people. “Some portion of the [new user] cannabis cohort will graduate into other form factors and use cases,” says Dillon. The company plans to expand into new product lines under the Releaf brand, including Whole Plant CBD products that will allow those who aren’t in legal states to access the benefits of their award-winning products.

As new companies emerge, and existing companies merge to pool resources for compliance regulations that are ever-changing, Caliva and Papa & Berkley serve as excellent models of the way for cannabis product best practices in California and across the industry.

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Nugg Club