Tag: Cannabis Accessories
Iconic RAW Rolling Papers Founder Josh Kesselman to Host Fireside Chat at CWCBExpo
June 5 – 6, 2024, New York City, Javits Convention Center
Iconic RAW Rolling Papers Founder Josh Kesselman to Host Fireside Chat at 10th Annual CWCBExpo in NYC’s Javits Convention Center
CNBC’s Tim Seymour will interview the celebrity CEO and founder.
(New York, NY, May 2024)—CWCBExpo today announced Josh Kesselman, iconic CEO and philanthropic founder of HBI International, the company behind RAW Rolling Papers, will keynote the business conference taking place at Javits Convention Center in New York City, Wednesday and Thursday, June 5 and 6.
Hosted by CNBC’s Fast Money investor voice, Tim Seymour, Kesselman’s appearance will be on the main stage from 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5th. The address, styled after a fireside chat, is open to registered CWCBExpo attendees.
Kesselman grew up in New York and has since developed RAW Rolling Papers to legendary status. His brand has garnered a cult-like following with more than two million Instagram followers and mainstream name-drops and support from celebrity rappers like Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz. His products, sold worldwide, include a vast array of rolling papers, cones, tips, rolling trays, apparel, and other accessories.
Known for his larger-than-life personality and love of smoking culture, Kesselman’s mission is to make people happy. “If you ask me, New York is the most lit place on Earth! I was born there, which makes the Empire State the birthplace of RAW,” said Kesselman.
RAW Giving, the name given to Kesselman’s HBI International philanthropic efforts, recently surpassed $3 million in donations to non-profit organizations including The Weldon Project, a non-profit that advocates for the end of cannabis prohibition, the Last Prisoner Project, Sky’s the Limit and Central Arizona Shelter Services, to name a few.
“We are honored to have Josh Kesselman give the keynote address at our event. He exemplifies much of cannabis culture today and is an example of a successful entrepreneur who gives back,” said Christine Ianuzzi, CEO of CWCBExpo.
The CWCBExpo New York, June 5-6 at the Javits Center, celebrating 10 years, is the premier business-to-business trade show event for legal cannabis. Founded in 2014, the expo provides a forum for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, medical professionals, investors, regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs to connect. For more information, or to register for the event, visit www.CWCBExpo.com.
Registration is open for CWCBExpo New York. To register go to: https://cwcbexpo/registration_ny/
For more information on sponsoring or exhibiting contact: cwcbe@cannabismeansbusiness.com or call 201-580-2050.
Editor’s Note: Qualified members of the media are invited to register as press for CWCBExpo New York. To request a media pass for CWCBExpo New York, please contact Annie Scully at: press@cannabismeansbusiness.com
About Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo)
CWCBExpo is an established business-to-business trade show event for the legalized cannabis and hemp industry. It is held in New York City, the largest business, financial, and media market, and is the leading forum for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, investors, medical professionals, government regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs looking to achieve business success and identify new areas of growth in this dynamic and fast- growing industry.
Visit: www.cannabismeansbusiness.com.
About HBI International
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and launched in 2005 by Josh Kesselman, HBI International, the company behind RAW Rolling Papers, is an independent, global brand producing plant- based rolling papers and other smoking accessories. Their unbleached, slow-burning papers are the preferred product for millions of smokers. The company is committed to sustainability and social good and, through its RAW Giving initiative, has provided millions of dollars in direct cash contributions for many charities, including those that work to provide access to clean water and rescue homeless pets. For more information, visit: rawthentic.com.
Industry Deep Dive: Pre-rolls, Papers, and Cones
The pre-roll is one of the most recognizable cannabis products. It’s ubiquitous in many legal cannabis markets, both medical and adult-use. What many people don’t realize, though, is that the rapid growth of this market segment has led to serious innovation. Pre-rolls are no longer the simple 1-gram cones with a filter at the end. You’ll find lots of sizes, infusions, and more.
The types of pre-rolls available, how they are made, and the way they are marketed has evolved significantly since the emergence of the legal cannabis industry. This industry deep dive explores the pre-roll market growth, how the space has changed, and how cannabis businesses can leverage this market.
What does the growth of the Pre-rolls market look like?
Although it’s far from the largest cannabis market segment, pre-rolls represent a significant portion of the U.S. cannabis industry, accounting for 12.7% of market share and generating more than $1.5 billion in sales in 2022. It’s also a fast-growing space, more than tripling in terms of sales revenue since 2018, when the space generated $406 million in sales.
What’s driving that growth, though, may be most interesting. According to Harrison Bard, co-founder of Custom Cones USA, it’s rare that customers stop in just to pick up a few pre-rolls. Instead, they are most commonly added alongside an order as an afterthought or impulse buy.
“Pre-rolls are one of the most attached items,” he said. “[Cannabis] flower is still the most purchased item [in a dispensary] by itself, but pre-rolls have the highest attachment rate. They’re a great add-on item that can increase your customer’s average basket size.”
Leading the way in the space are three California companies Sublime Canna with $33.2 million in sales, Jeeter with $27.2 million, and Lowell Herb Co. with $26.4 million in 2020. The rapid growth of the pre-roll market segment has nearly all brands that produce pre-rolls eyeing expansion in the coming years. According to data from Headset and Custom Cones USA, 95.7% of preroll brands expected to expand following 2020.
The many types of Pre-rolls on the market
As the pre-roll market has grown, the variety of pre-rolls has increased as well. While it’s most common to find 1g pre-rolls in new and developing markets, more mature markets have an entire selection that includes multi-packs of pre-rolls (including two-packs, five-packs, and 10-packs), pre-rolled blunts, 0.5g pre-rolls, and the mini “dog walkers” that range between 0.25g and 0.35g per pre-roll.
Today, 1g pre-rolls remain the most common seller, accounting for 62.6% of the pre-roll center, according to the report from Headset and Custom Cones USA. Close behind are 0.5g pre-rolls at 43.2%, followed by 0.75g pre-rolls at 18.7%, >0.5g pre-rolls at 10.8%, and then >2g pre-rolls at 12.2%.
But it’s not just the size of pre-rolls that’s increasingly varied; it’s the types of pre-rolls available. One type of product, in particular, is becoming a mainstay of the sector.
“We’re seeing infused pre-rolls pick up way more quickly in new markets,” Bard said.
Infused pre-rolls are those that are brushed with extract and, sometimes, rolled in kief, providing an extra potent session. In fact, these types of pre-rolls accounted for 42% of all pre-roll sales in 2022. That’s a marked increase from 2018, when these types of pre-rolls represented just 12.7% of the overall pre-roll market segment, according to the report from Headset and Custom Cones USA.
There are also mixed strain pre-rolls, which include a blend of multiple cultivars (also called strains) designed to accentuate a particular set of effects. Pre-rolled blunts are also rapidly rising in popularity, Bard said.
And each of these product types come in a variety of wraps beyond the conventional refined white paper, such as hemp wraps and flavored wraps. Today, the classic wrap accounts for just 44.3% of the market, followed closely by organic hemp at 35% and unrefined brown wraps at 23.6%, according to the data from Headset and Custom Cones USA. Non-organic hemp is next at 17.1%, followed by natural leaf at 10.7% and cigarette tubes at 8.6%.
It’s also common to find a wider range of quality in more mature markets. A common misconception is that pre-rolls contain mid-shelf cannabis or shake that falls from the buds in transit or during the trimming process, but that’s not always true. While there are certainly lower quality pre-rolls out there, some brands have dedicated themselves to using top shelf flower in their products for consumers who want a more premium experience.
“A lot of companies are emphasizing fresh products. They’re making sure pre-rolls are created to order; they’re not just making 50,000 per month and letting them sit around for ages before going to retail,” Bard said. “I’d liken it to sushi in the grocery store — it’s only good for a few days. After these pre-rolls age too much, they’re processed into an edible or concentrate.”
How dispensaries can make the most out of pre-rolls and paper products
There are a few ways dispensaries can take advantage of pre-rolls (and other paper products like cones) to increase the average transaction size and bolster revenue. Follow these tips to make the most out of pre-rolls and related accessories at your dispensary.
1. Display pre-rolls prominently at the point of sale
Customers are unlikely to buy what they can’t see, and that includes pre-rolls. Just because they’re not the most sought after product doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be prominently displayed. And, since they’re a common add-on item or impulse purchase like a candy bar at the grocery store checkout aisle, placing them close to the register incentivizes your customers to add them to their basket at the last minute. Notably, not every state allows for this kind of product access on the dispensary floor, so you may need to get creative in states where customers can’t pick up the products themselves.
“Think about how pre-rolls are merchandised in the store,” Bard said. “Some dispensaries keep pre-rolls in buckets beneath the counter, but better merchandising increases sales. Make sure they’re eye-level behind the counter so customers are seeing them at the point of sale.”
2. Offer pre-rolls as a way to try out something new
Promoting your pre-rolls as a way to try out a different cultivar or brand can prompt customers to consider purchasing additional products. For example, if you’re stocking a new cultivar that you think will be popular, offering high quality pre-rolls that contain that flower could be a good way to get the word out among your customers and drive sales of that flower in the future.
“Pre-rolls are a good way to try out a brand,” Bard said. “It’s like a little sample, an easy way for someone to try new flower or a brand compared to buying an eighth or concentrate. It’s a great way to get more brand exposure by offering a lower price point to consumers that is more accessible.”
3. Keep a variety of pre-rolls in stock
As the pre-roll market evolves, there are more types of pre-rolls available. Don’t just stock the typical 1g pre-rolls; your customers are likely to expect pre-rolled blunts, multi-packs, and infused pre-rolls as well. Ensuring you have a diversified inventory of pre-roll products increases the odds that your customers will find the type of pre-roll they prefer.
“You definitely want to offer multi-packs and infused pre-rolls,” Bard said. “I would say flavors are important too. Variety is really important for a dispensary, so offer different flavors and strains.”
4. Include pre-rolls in product bundles to boost sales
If you want to encourage customers to purchase larger baskets, consider offering pre-rolls in a product bundle at a favorable price. Your customers will feel like they’re getting a price break on product, and you’ll use pre-rolls to drive larger transaction sizes. This can help boost revenue per customer and move more product, especially when you’re looking to bring in new inventory.
5. Sell rolling papers and cones for customers who roll their own
There are some consumers who prefer to work with flower they’ve purchased in bulk, as well as some who avoid pre-rolls due to a misconception that they are necessarily lower quality products. When it comes to these consumers, it’s good to keep rolling papers and empty cones on hand.
“Flower remains the number one selling category, so for people who don’t know how to roll, cones are really popular, and papers are popular with those who know how to roll,” Bard said. “Also, pre-rolls have this negative stigma that they’re low quality, so some people won’t buy them even though there are high-quality pre-rolls on the shelves. It’s still good to have empty cones for those customers.”
Automation and the cannabis pre-roll market
In the early days of the cannabis industry, it was common for dispensary employees to spend a portion of their day manually producing pre-rolls to sell throughout the dispensary. Now, that’s far less common, as automated rolling machines — some that are quite sophisticated — have become the norm. Automated pre-roll machinery is capable of producing thousands of pre-rolls per hour while freeing up dispensary staff to attend to more pressing tasks.
Paxiom by Canapa Solutions is one such pre-roll automation company that has pioneered this space with units like its JuanaRoll 8-channel, which is capable of turning out 4,000 pre-rolls per hour, according to digital marketing specialist and project manager Val Miller.
“All companies typically begin with hand packaging or semi-automatic volumetric systems,” Miller said. “As companies grow, it becomes very difficult to scale without automation to produce high productivity and consistency.”
Automation at this scale is most likely to be used by manufacturers who are creating high volumes of products to ship to retail locations throughout their state, rather than the dispensaries themselves. They can significantly cut down the time and costs required to produce enough pre-rolls to fill multi-packs at scale, for example. The volume needed to meet that demand can be quite immense, depending on how many dispensaries a manufacturer is selling to.
To improve scalability and meet growing demand, Miller said Paxiom developed the JuanaRoll as a modular solution that could begin as a one channel machine and expand as a company needs up to a maximum of eight channels. There are fully automated and semi-automated models available.
But just because pre-roll production is trending increasingly toward automation doesn’t mean the human element is entirely eliminated, though. Success still requires coordination between manufacturers and the automated equipment vendor.
“Filling and packaging pre-rolls is very difficult and requires a team effort between us, the manufacturer, the cone supplier, our customers and the dedicated people that operate them,” Miller said. “It’s important to work within a cohesive group that have the same goals and can collaborate.”
Pre-rolls are a growing wave of the future
The pre-roll space doesn’t often get as much press as whole flower or concentrated extracts, but it’s just as unique and lively. As pre-roll sales grow well beyond the $1 billion mark, the space has continued to evolve along with the rest of the cannabis industry. Clearly a mainstay for any manufacturer or retailer in cannabis today, pre-rolls are an important hallmark of the industry and will continue to be central to the space for years to come. Whether you’re serving consumers or manufacturing to meet the needs of dispensaries, understanding this growing market and how to best compete can be an important recipe for success.
Post-Show Newsletter May/June 2022
CWCBExpo Helps to Build East Coast Cannabis Market
CWCBExpo New York 2022 highlighted industry icons, trail blazers, visionaries,
The Honorable Mayor Eric Adams, and The Office of Cannabis Management
at its 8th Annual conference and expo at the Javits Center.
Show Floor Highlights
Exhibitors, sponsors, attendees and speakers networked on the show floor and at after-hour events, keeping the business discussions going and flowing.
Education Pavilion
Continuing the commitment to support education, the show floor featured an environment for those colleges that have cannabis curricula to exhibit their offerings. This show floor feature has helped to further tear down the stigma of cannabis and help highlight the most progressive learning opportunities. Many of these colleges are seeking to attract and partner with exhibiting companies and business owners who were at CWCBExpo to educate their workforces and communities.
Women Grow Pavilion
In keeping with helping to build the marketplace and industry, the Women Grow Pavilion featured 30 entrepreneurs who are leading female-owned cannabis-related businesses who exhibited their new products and innovations.
Proud Mary Lounge
We proudly celebrated Pride Month with the Proud Mary Lounge. Co-founded by Brie Brewer, Proud Mary advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the cannabis industry. Proud Mary exhibited for the first time ever in a cannabis trade show and created the Proud Mary Lounge where everyone was welcome to relax and network in an inclusionary environment.
She Blaze Podcast
Hosted by Dasheeda Dawson and Ice Dawson, the award winning podcast went live from the show floor and interviewed our exhibitors, attendees and speakers.
Conference Highlights
Headliners, Keynotes, and Roundtables
The conference was kicked off with an informative industry update, “Trends and Opportunities in Marijuana and Hemp,” presented by Amanda Reiman, Vice President Policy Research, New Frontier Data. It was a great start to the first-day’s theme which was focused on investment.
The two investment-focused roundtables were presented with trailblazers and pioneers in the industry. One was, “Roundtable: Investors – Weed Meets Wall Street.”
Business leaders included: Terry Booth, CEO, Audacious/Australis Capital (AUSA); Steve Abraham, Head of Corporate Development and Investor Relations, The Blinc Group; Jay Czarkowski, Founding Partner, Canna Advisors; Chip Daniels, Founder, State Stox Group; moderated by Carl Cameron, Journalist.
The other roundtable was, “Beverages – Where is the Greenest Grass Growing and Flowing?” with industry business leaders: Tracy Mason, Co-Founder and CEO, House of Saka; Ron Shapira, CFA, Founder, Mosaic Advisory Partners; Ken VandeVrede, CEO Hillview Med; moderated by Christopher Smith, American Cannabis Report.
The attendees were captivated with the discussion about the future that beverages and cannabis have and how it can flourish.
CWCBExpo New York continued our Keynote, “In Conversation With…” series with Weedmaps CEO, Chris Beals, who spoke with Mona Zhang, States Cannabis Policy Reporter, Politico. They spoke to a packed audience about the history of Weedmaps and its success across the nation in promoting safe consumption and inclusion, and what’s next.
We also heard from Hip-Hop icon, actor, author and co-founder of the National Cannabis Party, Redman. Redman’s Keynote, “In Conversation With…” was with Steve Bloom, Publisher and Editor of CelebStoner.com, former Editor of High Times and former Editor-in-Chief of Freedom Leaf. The discussion was energetic and riveting as Steve and Redman discussed Redman’s climb in music, pop-culture and activism. We learned about Redman’s most recent journey as co-founder of the National Cannabis Party.
The Keynote Conversations continued with Nick Kovacevich, CEO of Greenlane Holdings talking with Tim Seymour, Co-Anchor of CNBC’s Fast Money. The audience heard about Nick’s pioneering journey as co-founder and chair of KushCo Holdings and his rise to Greenlane Holdings, which merged with KushCo Holdings in 2021. Nick’s leadership has led to the success and growth of Greenlane Holdings.
An Historic Year for New York
Honorable Eric Adams, 110th Mayor of New York City
In this historic year of legalized cannabis in New York, Mayor Eric Adams came to CWCBExpo and brought greetings and special remarks to attendees.
The audience heard first-hand about Mayor Adams’ support of the emerging cannabis and hemp industries.
Update on Licensing from Tremaine Wright, Chair of the New York Cannabis Control Board
Gia Moron, President of Women Grow and Founder of GVM Communications, spoke with Tremaine Wright, Chair of the NYS Cannabis Control Board. The audience received an update on NYS cannabis licensing. An enthusiastic Q/A period was had. Chair Wright walked the floor afterward and visited exhibitors.
Licensing and the Illicit Market
City and State Collaboration
Social Equity in Cannabis
The session, “Roundtable: Social Equity – Progress & Needed Change,” featured industry business owners, executives and professionals who have been working toward an equitable and fair cannabis industry for people of color, women, and all minorities. While progress has been made, much more needs to be done and all eyes are on NYS to implement a cannabis program that is the model for the entire nation regarding social equity provisions.
The audience heard from Jerel Registre, Fund Managing Director, Curio Wellness; Faye Coleman, Founder and CEO, Pure Genesis; Leo Bridgewater, Co-founder, Collective 60 New Jersey; Carlyn S. Buckler, Associate Professor Cornell University, School of Practice School of Integrative Plant Science, Chair of the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Committee; moderated by Tanya Osborne, Founder CannaDiva, LLC, Director of Community Engagement and Digital Production for Women Grow.
Master Session Workshop: Dispensaries
With the wave of legalization across the USA for medical cannabis and adult-use cannabis, owning a dispensary has become a desirable goal for many as it can be quite lucrative. This workshop went through the entire real-life experience of owning a dispensary. Attendees heard from east and west coast dispensary owners, retailers, and designers about getting a license and owning, maintaining, expanding, and selling a dispensary.
The workshop was moderated by Calvin Frye, Cannabis Pioneer and Entrepreneur, Founder Cloneville, while the speakers included: Faye Coleman, Founder/CEO, Pure Genesis; Nichelle Santos, Founder/CEO, Canna Coverage; Angela Wright, Founder/CEO, National Botanical Company; Neil Kaufman, Managing Member, Kaufman-McGowan, PLLC; Mitzi Keating, Citrin Cooperman; Harry Carpenter, Citrin Cooperman; Colleen Higgins, RPh, Pharmacist; Bob Kassoff, VP, Sales and Marketing, Wilson Safe Company; Norman Chevlin, Founder and CEO, Plant Your Financial Seed; Dario Boyce, Project Manager, Anderson Porter Design; Greg Miller, President of Retail, Curio Wellness.
Cannabis and Lifestyle
We were proud to provide a platform for several roundtables and sessions that highlighted living a healthy life with cannabis, as well as making good and responsible decisions when consuming cannabis. Roundtables on sustainability, health and wellness and cultivation were featured. The panelists included business owners, cultivators, industry experts, and technologists.
The sustainability session, Roundtable: Eco-Conscious Cannabis, discussed the important questions such as: How was your cannabis grown? Did it get produced, grown, harvested, extracted, packaged, stored and sold with sustainability and eco-safety in mind? Do you care and do you know about the safety standards and the supply chain of how that cannabis you bought was grown and how it was handled all the way through to sale for consumption?
Attendees heard from knowledgeable panelists about the importance of maintaining a sustainable environment: Matthew Broxterman, Director of Sales, Boulder Creek Technologies; Jason Thomas, Founding Partner, Precision Quality Compliance; Kyle Georges, VP Sales and Business Development, Maratek Environmental; George Stantchev, CEO, COMERG; moderated by Carl Cameron.
A Health & Wellness session, Roundtable: Living a Healthy Life with Cannabis, heard from business owners and supporters of a healthy lifestyle while incorporating cannabis. The discussions focused on regimens of infused products, edibles, food preparation, CBD oils, vaping and exercise.
Panelists included Jenny Argie, Founder and Owner, Jenny’s Home Baked Goods; Arnaud Dumas de Rauly, Co-Founder/CEO The Blinc Group; Rob Mejia, Adjunct Professor, Stockton University, Cannabis Studies Department; moderated by Christina DiGiovanni, Founder and CEO, The Emerald.
The session, Roundtable: Cultivation, highlighted important topics that must be considered in cultivation, such as artificial intelligence, genetics, quality control, and effective and intelligent grow methods.
Speakers included, Ian Seiferling, CEO, Adaviv; Calvin Frye, Founder, Cloneville; moderated by Gretchen Gailey, Chief Strategist, CWCBExpo.
Networking Events
Attendees, speakers, and exhibitors took part in networking events that allowed the business-building to continue after the show floor closed. CWCBExpo’s Cannabis Week, which ran from May 31 – June 5, allowed the New York business community to take part in numerous special events that sparked mind-share, education, fun, and business opportunities.
Congratulations to NORML and Curved Papers for another successful NORML FORML. Advocacy is an important part of our industry and this is always a wonderful event to kick-off CWCBExpo.
Our Networking Mixer, sponsored by Weedmaps, the Spleef after-party and the Industry Yacht Party were well attended events. CWCBExpo thanks all participants!
Thank you to our Sapphire Sponsor, and to our Networking Mixer, After-Party, Yacht Party and other sponsors: