Month: April 2023

How to Start a Marijuana Edible Business: Top Product Trends to Know

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If you’ve been following along with our How to Start an Edibles Business series, now’s the time for some fun: product selection! Long gone are the days where chocolates and gummies are the only edible options. Today, the market has expanded into beverages, oral sprays, baked goods, gourmet candies, and beyond. 

But beyond getting creative with your most Willy Wonka-like confections, there are two serious things to consider: what types of edibles will sustain long-term profits and growth and how you’ll make them. 

So, if you’re wondering how to open weed businesses in California and edibles are top of mind – this is the guide for you. Let’s learn more about starting an edibles business with edible and market trends in mind, to get started off on the right foot (or mouths, in this case!). 

Starting an Edibles Business: Product Manufacturing 

If you want to start selling THC edibles, then you’ll need to learn a thing or two about cannabis product manufacturing. Even if you come from a product or culinary background, cannabis is a highly regulated industry, making the logistics of production that much more tedious (in case you missed our Part 2 on compliance!).

Even more, you’ll need more than just measuring cups, spatulas, tools, and other basic supplies. You’ll also need to learn about (and get!) special equipment that will make it easier to dose each bite. 

To evenly dose cannabis edibles for consumer safety, satisfaction, and the state’s regulations, the most common piece of equipment used is a candy depositor. Of course, just like anything, there are top-of-the-line depositors that are specifically made for dosing (think vitamins and supplements) and those that aren’t. It’s likely you’ll also need ample refrigerator or freezer space, as well as plenty of room for production, packaging, and storage. 

But outside of getting all the necessities, it’s the recipe formulation that trips up so many new entrepreneurs seeking to start a canna candy company. Working with cannabis oil in edibles can be tricky. You need to use accurate weights and infusion methods to make sure that the oil is evenly dosed and absorbed optimally by consumers. 

As an example, the oil must be mixed in or homogenized in a way that is consistent with the other ingredients. For instance, if you’re making candy with nuts, will the candy with two nuts contain less THC oil than one nut? To maintain successful production, you’ll need clear SOPs (standard operating procedures) that make sure everything is done the same way from the start, especially to avoid batch losses if your batches exceed the THC limit. 

Now, we know we said this edition was going to be the most fun of all, so enough with the serious tips for quality manufacturing (although still take this seriously!). Next, let’s get into the latest edibles trend to give you insight on what direction to take for sustainable growth when starting an edibles business in California. 

How to Start an Edibles Business in California: The Latest Trends

In general, growth for edible sales has been steady, with a 10.7% to 12.1% rise in total sales from 2021 to 2022. For those close to the industry, it should come as no shock that gummies are leading the charge in sales with a 31% year-over-year growth from 2020 to 2021. But here are some other interesting facts that future canna candy company owners should consider: 

  • Chocolate edibles had a -7% decrease in YOY growth from 2020-21. 
  • Caramels, chews and taffy had a whopping 32% increase in YOY growth from 2020-21. 
  • Brownies and cereal bars had a 2% increase in YOY growth from 2020-21. 

Outside of sales, there are a few consumer trends affecting edible sales and the industry as a whole that should also be taken into consideration. Such as – 

  • Generationally, and demographically, female consumers show a strong preference towards edibles. Especially those over 40, who in the US contribute to over half of all edible sales according to Headset data.  
  • Consumers are shifting towards “whole plant” or strain-specific edibles, as sophistication and education of the market matures. 
  • In alignment with this trend, solventless demand is also on the rise. Solventless refers to the natural extraction of cannabinoids, and terpenes, without the use of harmful chemicals (like ethanol and butane) and with heat, and pressure, instead. Solventless products are at the forefront of the “clean weed” movement that’s expected to continue gaining momentum. 

Furthermore, vegan, low-sugar, and gluten-free edibles are expected to gain traction as more consumers shift their diets in this direction and enter the edibles market.

Contract Cannabis Manufacturing for Edibles Market Entry

Now, on to the most important question: “How to start an edibles business in California faster and more cost-effectively?” Which is the queue for contract cannabis manufacturing to enter the conversation. Contract cannabis manufacturing is a streamlined way to start selling THC edibles to California dispensaries without the initial start-up costs of licensing and facilities. And with experts behind the wheel, driving the quality of your brand’s edible production. 

Through the Type S license and shared cannabis kitchen spaces, or through white label and private label cannabis goods, your unique product or unique brand can be on the shelves in less than a year’s time. In fact, the alternative use of contract cannabis manufacturing is how so many big brands have been able to scale and expand exponentially, pivoting to pre-rolls, edibles, vape carts, etc.   

What is the next step in our series on starting an edibles business? Move forward with exploring contract cannabis manufacturing to start selling THC edibles in California. Schedule a tour of My Green Network, the premier contract cannabis manufacturing facility in the state. Out of state or out of country? Schedule a discovery call with our team now! 

Is a Recession Looming? The Top 4 Ways Private Label Cannabis Can Help

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We’re not the first to tell you that a recession could be looming. But considering cannabis could be considered what’s known as a “sin” industry, with those forking out the cash to partake despite economic conditions, many think cannabis to be “recession proof.” 

Of course, if you’re in the industry now, or aspiring to be, you might be wondering: is now the time to expand or start a new brand? It’s true, there’s an overabundance of California cannabis brands already, but cannabis white labeling can help you launch more cost-effectively and while targeting trends, too. 

So, here, we did a deep dive on everything current cannabis operators and aspiring cannapreneurs need to know about the current state of the California cannabis market size, how to successfully expand your product collection, and how to start a cannabis business in California profitably despite the economic forecast. 

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how cannabis white labeling can help support your new or growing brand, even in a recession. 

Is cannabis recession-proof? 

Even though the weed vs. alcohol debate may be tiring, the close correlation does give the cannabis industry hope for a potential recession. Experts agree across the board, and the numbers show that the alcohol industry has not been negatively impacted by previous recessions and has continued steady, consistent growth during economic downturns. 

Regardless, industry experts also agree there are a few tips to keep in mind for current or future cannabis operators looking ahead at a potential economic downturn, including – 

  1. Consider outsourcing parts of your business (i.e. manufacturing!). 
  2. Add to or change the products and services you offer by focusing on products that are in demand and diversifying accordingly. 

On that note, let’s take a look at what’s in-demand among consumers by looking at the most recent trends forecast. 

How to recession proof your business with trends 

Last month, industry leader Weedmaps laid out some of the hottest trends expected to affect this year’s and future cannabis markets among consumers. With the power of knowledge, current or potential cannabis operators can use these trends to their advantage and get ahead of their competitors. So, let’s dive deeper into each one to learn how to do so successfully next. 

cannabis co packing

“Consumer sophistication will drive product differentiation and branding”

As the industry matures, so do its consumers. Think about it: every industry, from food to makeup, has low-cost options, luxury options, and even specialized niche options. Cannabis is no exception, as we begin to see increased demand for more sophisticated products as consumers become more educated and aware of the plant’s scientific benefits. 

Even more, the stigmatization of cannabis is slowly lessening over time, driving a demand for more unique products and branding that new consumers can connect with. Because the balance between manufacturing and marketing new products can be overwhelming for cannabis operators, the white label or private label cannabis route is ideal. 

Why? Because it allows the brand to focus on fine-tuning their brand messaging, while leaving the intricate manufacturing to the pros. 

“More cannabinoids and plant actives will enter the market”

Along with the trend of consumers becoming more educated, is their increased knowledge of other cannabinoids outside of just THC and CBD, and “plant actives” like terpenes, and even herbal ingredients like nootropics. 

For instance, recently cannabis products with heightened levels of minor cannabinoids like CBG and CBN have become popular for their unique effects and benefits. Especially for sleep, pain, and appetite management. 

To capitalize on this trend, established brands can partner with private label cannabis manufacturers to quickly, and effectively launch new product SKUs. In contrast, new brands can launch with this knowledge and the marketing and branding support to spread the word and raise awareness. 

“Infused pre-rolls and beverages will make a splash”

Since sales of infused pre-rolls have been going up steadily over the last year, 2023 is expected to be the “year of the infused pre-roll.” This also indicates a maturation among consumers, who are looking for specialized products that are more potent as tolerances rise, too. 

But beginners beware: manufacturing infused pre-rolls is no simple feat. It takes planning and precision to make sure that all the parts work together to make a smooth experience that doesn’t go out or side-burn. 

So, like we mentioned earlier, it can pay off to outsource infused pre-roll manufacturing to private label cannabis producers to ensure you launch with a product that consumers will come back for. 

“Consumers will want clean, safe, and sustainable weed more than ever”

Again, like trends in big industries like makeup and food, there’s a rising demand for clean and sustainable weed. So what’s at the top of the list as one of the cleanest and purest ways to consume? Solventless edibles, vape carts, and concentrates. 

Along with industry maturation, consumers are also becoming more aware of how the cannabis plant is grown, processed, and extracted, and are increasingly seeking products that help them avoid the harmful chemicals used for solvent-based goods. That means, looking towards a potential recession, cannabis operators should be considering how they can diversify their product collection with solventless options. 

Capitalize on sales with cannabis white labeling 

Now that you know more about the trends to target for product expansion or market entry – what’s the most cost-effective and speedy method to do so? More and more established brands, and start-ups are turning to California cannabis white label opportunities for both cost and time benefits. 

By finding a reputable cannabis co-manufacturer, you’ll gain the benefits of: 

  • Launching onto the market with a high-quality product from an experienced producer. 
  • Avoiding the lengthy and costly California cannabis license type application process. 
  • Gaining regulatory and compliance support from manufacturing, to transporting and distributing.

Even better? With white label and private label cannabis, marijuana selling licenses California-wise aren’t required. Explore white-label cannabis products as your fast pass onto California retail shelves with Orange County’s premier cannabis white-label manufacturer, My Green Network. 

At MyGN, it’s our mission to elevate the cannabis industry by inspiring its future green leaders and supporting growth among its current players. This includes using our state-of-the-art shared kitchens and making the best white-label and private-label cannabis in the state. 

Schedule a tour of our facility or a discovery call today! 

Live Rosin Gummies & Live Rosin Carts: How to Capitalize on the Trends!

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Live rosin… It’s what everyone is talking about! As consumers become more educated on all things cannabis, we’re beginning to see a shift towards clean weed and strain specific benefits. Both of which, live rosin can offer in what some say is the purest, most unrefined extract. 

So, what is the live rosin definition, what are the current live rosin prices, and how can you launch your own live rosin carts and live rosin gummies to join the trend? Keep reading for the answers to these questions, and more with our ultimate guide to cannabis live rosin! 

The Rosin Definition 

First things first – what’s the true definition of rosin? Rosin is a solventless cannabis concentrate that uses only minimal heat and pressure to extract the oil from trichomes found on cannabis plant material. Trichomes are the resinous glands that make cannabis flower “sticky icky” and contain the plant’s beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes that add to its effects. Think of the solventless process like squeezing a grape, where the juices flow. 

In comparison, other concentrates are extracted using solvent based methods with harmful chemicals like butane, propane, or ethanol. So, you can see just how rosin is on the side of the clean weed movement, using only natural sources (such as heat and pressure) to extract the plant’s precious compounds. 

Live Rosin vs Live Resin 

So, next up in our ultimate guide to live rosin – what exactly does live rosin mean, and what’s the difference between live rosin vs live resin? Let’s start with the “live” terminology. Live in rosin or resin refers to the plant material that’s extracted being fresh, and frozen at the time of extraction. 

If you’re new to the world of cannabis, for flower and most products, plants are harvested, then dried and cured. Drying and curing is a process that’s used to extract excess moisture from the plant, not only for the smoke ability but also for shelf stability and preservation. For “live” products, the plant material is frozen at the time of harvest, instead of dried and cured, which preserves the compounds at the peak of their freshness. 

The key difference is the fact that live rosin is solventless. Or uses ice water to extract the precious trichomes that contain the plant’s resinous oils. While live resin, always uses a volatile solvent-based (like butane, propane, or ethanol) extraction process. 

Cannabis Live Rosin in Today’s Market 

As we mentioned in the intro, consumers are increasingly becoming more educated about how cannabis products are made, and what exactly is inside. Coinciding with organic and clean trends in food, beauty, and household goods, consumers are increasingly seeking out solventless products – especially live rosin. 

In a recent consumer report, industry analytics not only point to a rise in concentrate use and sales but the fact that preferences are shifting towards live rosin goods. With 46% or respondents reporting live resin or rosin as their preferred concentrate. 

Even better for operators, or aspiring entrepreneurs, live rosin prices are some of the highest in the market, too. Ranging anywhere from $45 – $100/gram. From rising google search trends, to growing sales, the most popular rosin goods today include – 

  • Live rosin gummies
  • Live rosin cartridges
  • Live rosin concentrates
  • Live rosin infused pre-rolls and hash holes

So, how can you launch into one of the fastest growing cannabis product categories? Next, we’ll cover market entry opportunities to get your rosin on shelves, fast. 

How to Launch Live Rosin Gummies and Live Rosin Carts 

To launch live rosin gummies or live rosin carts onto the market today, you’ll need to – 

  1. Get licensed
  2. Secure the equipment and space for manufacturing and storage
  3. Source frozen bud for rosin
  4. Have the know how to extract high quality material
  5. Package, label and store within regulations
  6. Secure retailer sources 

But let us remind you – live rosin extraction for the cleanest, smoothest, and purest product is somewhat of an art form. From the quality and type of frozen bud for rosin you use to the cadence in processing, and the way its stored and packaged, all goes into a quality experience for the end-user. 

Which is why so many solventless or live rosin brands you see on the shelves today are outsourced to cannabis contract manufacturers with experience and expertise in the process. Through white label, private label, and shared manufacturing opportunities (we have the equipment; you use it!) cannabis brands are able to launch more quickly, and successfully. 

Outsourcing the manufacturing of your live rosin gummies or live rosin cartridges gives you the unique advantage of – 

  • Shifting attention and capital towards marketing your product launch or brand
  • Launching onto the market with a high-quality product that increases customer loyalty and retention
  • A network of retailers and distributors to tap into
  • Reduced risk from experienced compliance and regulatory requirements 

Of course, the caveat is – you have to find a live rosin manufacturer that can walk the walk, and talk the talk. So be sure to vet any potential contract cannabis manufacturers you entertain with the tips we compiled here! 

My Green Network – Your Cannabis Live Rosin Source 

If you’re in the California cannabis community, it’s likely you’ve experienced My Green Network’s live rosin or solventless goods – without even knowing! My Green Network is southern California’s premier Type-S licensed facility that offers cannabis white label, private label, and shared manufacturing opportunities. 

Located in, or already licensed in, California? Schedule a tour of our facility to get familiar with our live rosin capabilities in person. Already an established rosin brand out of state, or out of the country? Expand into the US’ biggest market with less start up costs, and without compromising quality – schedule a discovery call with our team to find out more! 

Stay up to date with our live rosin production, cannabis industry news, and more by connecting with My Green Network on LinkedIn now.