Anne-Marie Fischer
As the platform that processes 21% of all wholesale orders of cannabis products in the U.S., LeafLink had gotten a birds-eye view of the preferences and spending habits of cannabis retailers, allowing them to compile insightful data into one source.
The United States of Cannabis is a new data source developed by LeafLink, which is the largest online marketplace for wholesale cannabis in the country. Using the information about the wholesale orders placed by 3,800+ retailers in 12 states, The United States of Cannabis presents comprehensive information about who’s buying what in the legal cannabis states.
Suzannah Rubinstein, Director of Marketing for LeafLink calls their concept and platform “the industry standard of connecting wholesale orders”, where the platform serves as a connection between retailers and manufacturers for regulated cannabis products. “We process $1.4 billion in orders placed annually through the marketplace,” states Rubinstein.
This intel, achieved through tracking wholesale orders state-by-state, has allowed LeafLink to gain insights about who’s buying what, and why, in 12 legal cannabis states, as presented in the interactive cannabis map entitled The United States of Cannabis.
Most Favorite Products
Here are some of the best selling products according to the platform with some surprises:
- California – Dosist Bliss Vape Pen
- Colorado – Wana Sour Gummies
- Washington – Happy Apple Beverage
- Oregon – Winberry Farms – Tropical Trainwreck cartridge
- Nevada – District Edibles – Tropical Punch
- Michigan – Platinum Vape – Alien OG
- Pennsylvania – Vireo Health – Red Cartridge
- Arizona – Timeless Vapes – Lemon Faderade
- Alaska – Red Run Cannabis Company – Hashade
Here are some overall insights that The United States of Cannabis reveals:
- There are 18 product types on the LeafLink marketplace, but three main categories account for 67% of total sales in the country: Flower, Cartridges, and Edibles, yet these product categories differ distinctly state-by-state;
- Every market that was tracked by LeafLink has a distinct cannabis identity, that can be viewed state-by-state;
- In newly legalized cannabis states, there is less product and brand diversity; newer states’ packaging and marketing are more “medical” in look and feel, while states with a long-established legal market are more diverse in products available, and in branding.
“Our data shows that in states with more maturity, there is greater product diversification,” says Rubinstein, “Where there’s product diversification, it means that people are experimenting with different methods of consumption.”
The United States of Cannabis allows users to examine state-by-state marketplaces, to see what product types, and what products reign supreme. Here are a few examples of legal states and what LeafLink uncovered:
- In Colorado, the longest-established legal cannabis market, the top 3 product categories are cartridges, concentrates, and disposable vapes, with pre-rolls rising up as the fastest-growing category;
- In Pennsylvania, one of the newer medical cannabis states, the top 3 product categories are cartridges, edibles, and flower, with flower being the fastest growing product category in the state;
- In Alaska, the top product categories are cartridges, concentrates, and vapes, with concentrates being the fastest growing product category;
- In Michigan, a new recreational cannabis state, the top product categories are cartridges, flowers, and edibles, with cartridges being the fastest growing product category for that state;
In addition to top product categories and fastest-growing product categories, the United States of Cannabis contains information on the biggest brands, product superlatives, most unique products, and even the state flower and producer.
LeafLink’s wholesale marketplace is unique in that each state has a closed marketplace. Retailers access only the products and brands that are available in their state, across 24 different markets. “This allows in-state communities to be built,” says Rubenstein, “Brands are able to promote products in-state directly to retailers,” she says, which helps quite a bit when marketing and advertising regulations are so tight in every state.
Emerging brands can use each state’s distinct cannabis identity to find niche markets and new opportunities to create products in product categories they know people of different states are interested in.
More about the LeafLink platform can be found at https://leaflink.com/
