There’s no doubt that 2019 is going to be an exciting year for the cannabis industry, especially as growth and developments ramp up to an incredible pace. 2018 definitely had its high points, major milestones and breaking cannabis news, but 2019 is shaping up to be an even bigger year.

Here’s just a peek at what’s on the horizon for the cannabis industry in the coming year:

 

Mergers and Acquisitions Are Growing

For quite some time, most of the growing, processing, and selling of cannabis was done by small companies, independent entities in pockets throughout the U.S. However, with the widespread increase of legalization of cannabis and its growing presence on the mainstream market, a considerable number of large corporations (including those in food, tobacco, and alcohol industries) are preparing to claim their slice of the proverbial marijuana pie by acquiring and merging with existing small cannabis companies. For many cannabis business owners, this means that it’s more important than ever to make effective use of strategies like organic SEO, in an effort to stay ahead of the larger corporations and establish a solid presence and customer base.

 

Cannabis and the Lounge Lifestyle

Once the state of California legalized recreational cannabis, there was an explosion of business innovation that led to a variety of interesting marijuana-centric concepts. Among the ideas that’s really taken off in the West Coast state is the development of cannabis lounges. At a cannabis lounge, patrons can enjoy recreational marijuana in a comfortable, often stylish atmosphere with their friends, shaping the concept of cannabis into an attractive lifestyle. The most successful of these cannabis lounges have taken a smart approach to creating a clear brand identity to reach their target customer base, by utilizing a combination of social media reputation management tactics and local SEO.

 

Modality Modernization

Gone are the days when raw cannabis flower was the primary product category in the industry; now, expect to see a growing variety of modalities like Utopia low-dose edibles or the tech-savvy Dosist vape pens. These brands and others have been leaders in the movement towards molecule and effect-driven marketing, seeking to connect with consumers by offering specially-designed products to satisfy lifestyle and health needs.

One of the most notable avenues that companies have been able to modernize is their approach to marketing various modalities through smart content marketing, which helps to establish their brand as a knowledgeable, relevant voice in the industry that can be trusted by consumers. You can be sure that 2019 will continue to bring growth in consumers’ focus on tailored modalities.

 

More CBD Use (started with the new FDA-approved CBD tincture Epidiolex)

Perhaps one of the biggest darlings of the cannabis industry in 2018 was CBD, and its light is only expected to shine brighter in 2019. Now that the FDA has approved its first CBD tincture (Epidiolex), widespread CBD use is expected to soar to astronomical heights. For small businesses, this means preparing to provide targeted marketing and education surrounding their specifically-offered CBD products. Consider creating useful content like downloadable guides, incorporating your company’s CBD products throughout the educational material. Additionally, make use of local SEO to highlight the CBD products you offer and bring in new customers.

Start 2019 Off Right with Marijuana Marketing Xperts

If you’re ready to make 2019 a successful year for your cannabis business, Marijuana Marketing Xperts is here to help. Our expert team is dedicated to designing and implementing highly tailored digital marketing strategies that are specifically created for marijuana businesses, helping you expand your customer base, stay ahead of trends and marijuana business news, and grow your online presence. Together, we can propel your cannabis business to its biggest and best year ever.

Contact Marijuana Marketing Xperts today to learn more about our digital marketing services and how we can help you make the most of 2019.