The Future of Cannabis Use: From Flower to New Products
Dried flower buds, traditionally, are the most popular choice among cannabis connoisseurs. But times are changing and consumer preferences evolve. Perhaps flower still sells best at local state markets around the U.S., but there’s a noticeable shift in the trends as newer generations of cannabis users increasingly embrace innovative products in the pre-roll, edible, beverage and vape categories.
With changing consumer preferences on the market, cannabis flower is increasingly being replaced by edibles, beverages, vapes, pre-rolls, and other innovative pot products.
Flower is still the number one product out there. It’s one of the most affordable options for cannabis users, while at the same time, it’s one of the least profitable items for vendors. Pre-rolls and edibles, for example, are generating much more profits, even though these categories still do not make up the most transactions. However, let’s take a look at where the future of cannabis consumption is headed.
Pre-rolls
Millennials are at present the largest generation in the United States and this is the group (aged 28-43) that loves to shop cannabis pre-rolls the most, including full-gram sizes and multi-pack pre-rolls. Millennials currently account for 45% of the $3 billion pre-roll market, as per the 2024 Pre-Roll Consumer Report from Custom Cones USA.
The same report remarks that pre-rolls are the third most popular and fastest-growing category in cannabis products, having generated more than $4 billion in sales between 2023 and mid-2024. How else do we know it’s the year of pre-rolls? More than 80% of cannabis smokers now purchase pre-rolls, and almost 11,000 new pre-roll product options were introduced to dispensary shelves between April and October 2024.
Edibles
Edibles have been around for a while, but with the help of new technologies this is a hot cannabis category coming out with some of the most innovative, out-of-the-box products. All kinds of food and snacks can be now infused with various doses of THC and/or other cannabinoids, including treats that were nearly impossible to make them taste good in the past and induce high at the same time. There are edibles for every lifestyle: from products targeting to enhance creativity to the perfect secret munch. Popcorns, under-the-tongue sprays, infused sparkling wine, salty onion snacks, chewing gums, hazelnut chocolate spreads: you can now ingest cannabis as in almost anything.
Cannabis edibles surpassed the $6 billion mark in 2022. The industry is projected to reach a $30 billion value by 2032, as per recent market analysis. Out of all edibles, gummies hold one of the most prominent positions, and this type of product alone is projected to grow to $9 billion by 2032.
THC Beverages
Another ultra-successful market is cannabis drinks. Even regular breweries, already famous for their beer offer, are starting to dedicate part of their production to THC and cannabis-infused adult beverages. With appealing and creative designs, drinkables are extremely popular with Gen Z and Millennials. And what’s not to like about it? Drinkable cannabis is an experience comparable to sipping alcohol. Convenient enough for everyone who doesn’t want to smoke, but still wants to get high or try and see how it’s like to get high.
This cannabis category took off particularly well in Minnesota, where hemp-derived THC beverages became a thing even before the state officially launched legal weed in 2023. Overall, in 2023, sales of cannabis beverages (not including hemp-derived THC drinks) reached $952 million, comprising nearly 3% of the total cannabis market, according to a recent report. If profits from hemp-derived intoxicating beverages are added, the figure certainly surpasses the $1 billion threshold.
Cannabis Vapes and Vaporizers
Last but not least in this overview of cannabis products taking over the market and redefining consumption are vape pens and vaporizers. Vape options nowadays are far more sophisticated than they used to be, and there is plenty to choose from. From cannabis pods to cartridges pre-filled with various distillates and C02 oils, these products are loved among young users for their potency but also because they are convenient and user-friendly (most gadgets are portable).
While vaping devices typically use liquid and distillate, vaporizers are for dried flower and other types of strong extracts. Long-marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, it’s considered that vapes release fewer toxins and carcinogens than your average joint or blunt. And that’s one of the main reasons that drives forward the product’s popularity. Not only recreational users, but also medical users increasingly rely on THC vaping pens, in particular models with precise control for cannabinoid intake. Another billion-dollar market, cannabis vape products are expected to register an annual growth rate of nearly 15% between 2024 and 2032.
Will dried flower ‘die’ with the rise of all these new and more modern cannabis product options? Not really. Flower remain to be a core part of cannabis culture and as long as there’s cannabis culture there will be cannabis flower. But times are definitely changing and the offer has diversified significantly. Most importantly, there are now safer ways and methods to consume cannabis, more than ever before, and consumers can choose as it suits their taste, medical/recreational needs, and lifestyle.
Also read on Soft Secrets:
- 5 Delicious THC-Infused Beverage Recipes You Must Try
S
Stephen Andrews
