Amid an Industry Squall, Is Cannabis Having Its ‘Bubba Gump Moment?’

Mary Jones, the cannabis-spiked sibling of Jones Soda that debuted in June, will soon have its own publication, dropping at dispensaries across California next month. The print project, cleverly named Mary Zine, profiles budtenders–also known as weed retail employees–who are skilled at photography, music and other creative pursuits. The pages also contain do-it-yourself activities and…

Keep the Party Going: PuffCon Builds on the Cannabis IRL Trend With Music and Art Fest

As many as 5,000 people are expected to gather in downtown Los Angeles this weekend to see live a performance from rapper ScHoolboy Q, shop limited-edition merchandise, watch a glass blowing competition and sample dishes from popular food trucks. Entry to the event is free, and there’s no code word or secret handshake required, just…

Off Madison Episode Three: Changing Course With Cannabis

The narrative behind cannabis has shifted tremendously, from being considered a dangerous gateway drug to being one of the fastest-growing modern industries. But who stands to benefit most from this current boom and how do we use this period of reeducation to make the cannabis space more equitable? In episode three of Off Madison, Adweek’s…

Copycat Causes Dogfight: Cannabis Titans Troll Each Other Over ‘Knock Off’ Brand

When the cannabis brand Dogwalkers launched in 2016, it was billed as the perfect mini-joint to smoke while taking a stroll with a four-legged friend. The inspiration for the product–a Poodle mix named Bailey–was even pictured on the packaging. The premium pre-rolled weed has since become a hot seller, now available in seven states–Illinois, New…

Mini Woodstock and Mexican Wrestling: Cannabis Retailers Go Big to Boost Traffic

There’s a mini Woodstock in the works for next summer–featuring food vendors, local artisans and immersive activations–with a headlining performance by Grammy-nominated rock band Queens of the Stone Age, which will be dropping its first new record in two years. Organizers are looking at the tiny Midwest town of Sauget, Ill., and its 6,000-seat minor…

Cotton Candy, Corndogs and Cannabis: California State Fair Adds First-Time Weed Contest

Past winners in the California State Fair’s food and drink categories have included Granny’s Famous Applesauce, Bohemian Viking homemade brew and Tomatillo Goddess jam. But when the doors open this Friday for the first time since 2019, the popular event will feature consumables of a different kind, with names like Laughing Gas, Lemon OG, Buddha’s…

A Strain-ger Thing: Potent Weed From Hit Show Appears on Leafly, but Is It Real?

Netflix’s blockbuster hit Stranger Things has been a brandstravaganza since its launch, embedding iconic breakfast foods, salty snacks, ’80s technology and throwback retailers and fast food chains into its supernatural storylines. Cannabis has not been part of that product placement parade–until now. Purple Palm Tree Delight, a weed strain credited with calming a few key…

Star-Spangled Surge: July Fourth Weed Sales Hit Record High

It may not be included in the next remix of the classic ad jingle “baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet,” but cannabis is increasingly cementing its place in American culture–most recently on the biggest flag-waving holiday of the year. Cannafans spent a record-setting $255.5 million on flower, vapes, THC-infused drinks and other products during…

THC-Infused Drink Partners With Skateboard Star Briana King for Potent New Product

As an athlete and activist, Briana King (she/they) has launched meetups in cities across America and internationally for “girls, gays and theys” to skateboard in safe and supportive environments. Along the way, the model-actor–who starred in the coming-of-age drama Skate Kitchen–has collaborated with heavyweight brands such as Apple, Nike and Squarespace, while Vogue has called…

Adweek Podcast: Why the Ad Industry Needs to be More Inclusive of Non-Drinkers

On this week’s episode, international editor David Griner is joined by agencies writer Emmy Liederman and senior editor T.L. Stanley to discuss Liederman’s recent coverage of how companies are under pressure to figure out how to craft more inclusive environments for non-drinkers, the rise of alcohol-free cocktails and where cannabis beverages fit into the mix….

July 4 Will Be Lit: The Holiday Is Expected to Be Cannabis’ Hottest Summer Sales Day

Independence Day may not have carved itself into cannabis lore like April 20 or Danksgiving, but the summer holiday has started to generate its own heat for the industry’s bottom line. Cannaseurs–lured by a flurry of retail discounts and brand promotions–are expected to buy enough flower, vapes, tinctures and tonics to make the upcoming July…

Jones Soda Launches ‘Full Flavor, Full Dose’ Soft Drinks With a Cannabis Kick

In the fast-growing world of THC-spiked beverages, there’s a whole menu of choices like iced tea, lemonade, coffee, cocoa, mocktails, booze-free wine and mimosas, energy drinks and sparkling waters. Products come in bottles and cans–Cann, by the way, is a best-selling “social tonic” with a pioneering Pride campaign and a Hollywood following–and via drops, mixes,…

The Chillest Listening Party Ever, Brought to You by Sonos and Pax

A group of five friends sit around drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon, smoking weed and listening to a new record from their favorite “chillwave” musician, Toro y Moi. They bust out some expressionist dance moves and play air guitar–while getting increasingly stoned–and make pithy comments worthy of a classic Beavis and Butt-Head episode. We’ve all been…

Cann and Weedmaps Embrace ‘Radical Inclusivity’ for Pride

It would be a tall order on its own to try to recreate the spectacle of an iconic Pepsi commercial with Britney Spears. Not to mention borrow vocal flourishes from Lady Marmalade, pack in celebrity cameos and produce a banger original song and choreographed music video. But there’s that and more going on in a…

Cann and Weedmaps Embrace ‘Radical Inclusivity’ for Pride

It would be a tall order on its own to try to recreate the spectacle of an iconic Pepsi commercial with Britney Spears. Not to mention borrow vocal flourishes from Lady Marmalade, pack in celebrity cameos and produce a banger original song and choreographed music video. But there’s that and more going on in a…

Weed Brands Hit Main Street USA in Summer Festivals and Fairs

In the picturesque, Colorado foothill town of Nederland, a festival called Frozen Dead Guy Days recently drew more than 20,000 people for polar plunges, ice turkey bowling, frozen salmon tosses and coffin races. Though it may sound a little twisted, it’s been ranked as one of the world’s 10 best parties of winter, alongside Mardi…

Cannabis Brand Borrows From Pompous Perfume Ads to Hype New ‘Fancy’ Edibles

Do you use words like “debonair” and “gar?on,” while picturing yourself on a private jet and considering, maybe someday, going to a museum? You so fancy! For a campaign that’s heavy on parody and even heavier on a fake French accent, legacy cannabis edibles brand Cheeba Chews launches its new line of P?te De Fruit…

Meet the New Weed Influencers: Cameo Celebs Like Ice-T, CeeLo Green and Kate Flannery

The names CeeLo Green, Shooter McGavin, Kate Flannery and Carson Kressley don’t immediately come to mind as movers and shakers in the cannabis industry, with good reason. But the celebrities, via a customized program with video platform Cameo, are directly responsible for driving nearly $2 million in revenue and 40,000 dispensary visits for weed powerhouse…

Canna Mom Relax? Weed Brands Offer Sweet Releaf for Mother’s Day

In a moment of blissful self-care, a woman in a fluffy white bathrobe reclines on a comfy chair and takes some deep breaths. Cucumber slices are strategically placed over her eyes for added refreshment and destressing. While this may be a familiar marketing image for day spas and travel packages, this campaign comes from cannabis…

High on Its Own Supply: 4/20 Breaks Records With $154 Million in Sales

Whether it was the appeal of deep discounts, the return of live festivals or the flood of savvy marketing–or some combination of those factors–April 20 has written a new page in the cannabis history books, with $154.4 million in legal sales on the Black Friday of weed. Though it fell on a Wednesday, typically a…