Custom Cones USA partnered with cannabis data company Headset to publish a white paper about product popularity among its customers. Entitled “The State of the Pre-Roll Industry,” the report explores multiple facets of pre-rolls, from rising sales growth to generation interest and methods of creation, packing, and more. “This white paper demonstrates the continued growth of the pre-roll industry and its potential to become the #1 largest product category within the cannabis industry,” said CEO and co-founder of Custom Cones USA, Harrison Bard. “We thank our partners at Headset for collaborating on the white paper to provide a wealth of information that people can trust to make informed business decisions in our evolving marketplace.”

The data for this report was collected from more than 300 “recreational cannabis producers, medical cannabis producers, hemp producers, plant processors, vertically integrated brands, cannabis brand agencies, dispensaries, and multi-state operators.”

In comparing year over year category sales growth in the U.S. and Canada between November 2021-2022, the white paper explains which product types are increasing or decreasing in popularity. “…[P]re-rolls, edibles, drinks, vapes, and oil saw an increase in market share, and tinctures, capsules, and topicals saw their market share shrink,” the paper explains. “The big takeaway from this data is that ‘recreational’ categories (flower, pre-rolls, and vapes) are driving the market, while ‘wellness’ categories (tinctures, capsules, and topicals) are shrinking.”

Year over year segment growth, infused pre-rolls grew in Canada by 1,426%, mixed strain pre-rolls by 440%, and disposable vapes at 160%. In the U.S., mixed strain pre-rolls rose by 63%, disposable vape pens by 60%, and infused pre-rolls by 22%. The white paper cites potency as an important factor when consumers are choosing which product to purchase, since infused pre-rolls are more potent than standard pre-rolls, as well as the advancement of pre-roll machinery which can keep prices low and potency remains high.

The paper also addresses an interesting trend showing the price compression of cannabis products in all categories (beverages, concentrates, edibles, pre-rolls, and vape pens are trending downward in the U.S., and all prices are also decreasing in Canada in all categories except pre-rolls. “In other words, if you are in the business of selling cannabis, and you are worried about declining margins, pre-rolls are a category you should be expanding into to maintain and boost profitability.”

Custom Cones USA added that 58.4% of companies confirm that they produce or sell infused pre-rolls, and the white paper explained a correlation between the decrease in price for regular pre-rolls and an increase in price for infused pre-rolls. Multi-packs of pre-rolls are also on the rise, with an estimated 400% growth since 2021 in multi-packs with at least two to five grams.

While different generations of adults lean toward specific types of cannabis products, pre-rolls remain fairly consistent among all generations, with baby boomers at 12.8%, Generation X at 13.6%, millennials at 14.5%, and Generation Z at 14.4%.

Specifically in the Canada cannabis industry, pre-rolls are on a roll. About 50% of cannabis companies are less than three years old, compared to 18.9% that are four to five years old, and 20.5% that are six to seven years old. The white paper notes that the industry, and specifically pre-roll businesses, are maturing. However, there are projections about how the industry will adjust and change over time, with questions about if Canada businesses will expand into the U.S., or how new cannabis markets in the U.S. will be able to produce pre-rolls at the same rate as businesses in mature markets.

For cannabis businesses seeking to expand, the white paper also notes that businesses should consider how many pre-rolls they can produce monthly, which machines or methods other brands are using to pack pre-rolls, whether or not they weigh pre-rolls before packaging, and the average size of a pre-roll in grams.

In conclusion, the white paper identifies pre-rolls as a trend that will continue to rise. “After examining the data, we fully expect the pre-roll trends to continue, so much so that we believe pre-rolls will overtake flower as the largest selling product category by 2030,” the white paper projected. “They are the most convenient way to consume flower—just add fire, and the rise of infused pre-rolls and multi-packs will continue to push the market forward. So, it’s not a stretch to think that, as the quality of pre-rolls continues to rise, pre-rolls will start to overtake the flower category.”

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The California Cannabis Industry Association published a white paper addressing the state of the cannabinoid market. Featuring main author Tiffany Devitt, as well as other contributors, the white paper entitled “PANDORA’S BOX The Dangers of a National, Unregulated, Hemp-Derived Intoxicating Cannabinoid Market,” refers to the hemp industry as a public health crisis. “While cannabis and its derivatives remain federally illegal, massive loopholes in the federal definition of hemp are being exploited by ‘hemp’ product manufacturers to sell extremely potent, often chemically synthesized intoxicants that are more powerful than anything available in licensed cannabis dispensaries,” the paper states in its executive summary.

The main focus of the report refers to the general approval of the 2018 Farm Bill, which approved both hemp material as well as byproducts. “Industry stakeholders widely assumed that the 2018 Farm Bill intended to legalize nonintoxicating hemp products, such as CBD. However, a recent court decision affirmed that, intentionally or not, Congress left the barn door open,” the report explained. “On May 19, 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal issued its ruling in AK Futures, LLC v. Boyd Street Distro, LLC, 35 F4th 682 (9th. Cir. 2022), affirming a District Court’s decision that products containing Delta-8 THC are lawful under the Farm Bill because they meet the statutory definition of industrial hemp—even though they can get consumers high.”

The white paper addresses four main recommendations to address this issue. First, federal legalization is necessary. “Cannabis needs to be legalized and regulated at a federal level, and all plants grown for cannabinoid content should be subject to a similar set of regulations rather than an arbitrary, unworkable THC threshold,” the recommendation states.

Second, the paper states that an amendment of the 2018 Farm Bill in order to close the existing loopholes. Third, to call on the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to “approve or disapprove of novel or synthesized cannabinoids not found in the plant in commercial quantities.”

And finally, the paper calls on the state of California to enforce existing laws right now to protect consumers. “Given the lack of federal leadership on cannabis policy, California has an opportunity to set an example for other states by crafting and implementing a coherent regulatory framework that encompasses all plants grown for cannabinoid content rather than industrial purposes. Now is the time to do that.”

In March, Delta-8 cannabis flower was spotted at a farmer’s market in Missouri—just one example of how some producers are taking advantage of that loophole. That same month in Georgia, legislators almost voted on a misleading Delta-8 bill.

In May, the FDA sent out warning letters to five businesses improperly selling Delta-8 products. “The FDA is very concerned about the growing popularity of delta-8 THC products being sold online and in stores nationwide. These products often include claims that they treat or alleviate the side effects related to a wide variety of diseases or medical disorders, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, nausea, and anxiety,” said FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “It is extremely troubling that some of the food products are packaged and labeled in ways that may appeal to children. We will continue to safeguard Americans’ health and safety by monitoring the marketplace and taking action when companies illegally sell products that pose a risk to public health.”

The safety of children is especially concerning, but it continues to be an ongoing issue. On Oct. 27, NBC Washington reported that seven middle school students in Virginia got their hands on Delta-8 THC edibles. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares released a statement about the issue. “We’re trying to shut down on it. We don’t want it to end up in anyone’s inbox when they’re doing Halloween trick or treating,” he said.

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Think twice about smoking a doobie while traveling in the U.K. People in England and Wales could be subject to stricter punishments, including risking losing their passports or driver’s licenses under new rules recently proposed. But some people are worried it’s a thinly-veiled attack on the middle class.

The White Paper document—titled “Swift, Certain, Tough New consequences for drug possession”—was published by the Home Office in July. People charged with drug-related crimes could risk losing their passports and driver’s licenses as the U.K. government ramps up efforts to “tackle the scourge of substance abuse in society.” The Home Office is the government department responsible for immigration, security, and law & order.

Offenders in England and Wales would be subject to a “three strikes”-style system. The system breaks up offenses into three tiers. The Telegraph reports that it’s going to impact the nation’s middle class the most—leading to bans from nightclubs over random drug convictions. And that’s just the beginning: losing a driver’s license and a passport could come next.

The three-strikes system in general is a sentencing structure designed to deter crime faster, but is decried by advocacy groups.

First, anyone caught with illegal drugs would be forced to pay for and attend a drug awareness course, and if they fail to comply, they would receive an increased fixed penalty notice or face prosecution. Second-time offenders would be cautioned, ordered to attend an additional drug awareness course, and face mandatory, random drug testing for a period of up to three months.

People charged with drugs for a third time would be likely to be charged, and upon conviction as part of a civil court order, could be subject to an exclusion order banning them from nightclubs and entertainment venues, and they could have their passports or drivers’ licenses confiscated.

The White Paper explains that drugs cause “enormous harm to children and young people, impacting on their health and their ability to work and learn,” and doesn’t make the distinction between cannabis and drugs.

Leaders agreed.

“Drug misuse puts lives at risk, fuels criminality and serious and violent crime, and also results in the grotesque exploitation of young, vulnerable people,” said Home Secretary Priti Patel. “We are cracking down on drug use with tougher consequences for so-called recreational drug users who will face the consequences of their actions through sanctions, including fines and conditions to attend rehabilitation courses, while drug offenders could have their passports and driving licenses confiscated.”

The MP continued, “In line with our strategy to tackle the harmful consequences of drugs, we aim to reverse the rising trend of substance use in society to protect the public from the harm and violence of drug misuse.”

The legislation will subsequently go through a 12-week consultation period, taking place about seven months after the government published its 10-year drug strategy.

Researchers found a 72% increase in deaths related to drug poisoning and about 2% increase in “frequent drug users” between 2011 to 2020, being defined as having taken any drug more than once in a month in the past year, according to the latest Crime Survey for England and Wales.

It’s quite the stretch of imagination for a country that commonly consumes cannabis. ​​Private doctors who are on the General Medical Council’s specialist register can legally prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use.

According to polling from an industry group, the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI), one fifth of British adults have tried CBD flower or oil and 58% of respondents overall believe it has health benefits.

Even the U.K. government became a part owner in a CBD company after its emergency loan system was changed.

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