These 9 companies are reshaping cannabis branding

As the cannabis industry across the Americas prepares for increasingly widespread legalization, companies in the sector are eager to set themselves apart in the market with unique creative directions.

The Cannabis Stereotypes are disappearing (at least on this side of the Atlantic), and the flashy posters once seen on Venice Beach—featuring naked women trampling hundreds of buds—are no longer part of the landscape. Some newcomers to the industry are bringing their communication and design always a little further, in an uncoordinated effort to standardize and make their products more popular.

Native Roots Dispensary

Native Roots Clinic

Native Roots dispensaries, also known for their «Diesel and Weed» gas station» in Colorado have decorated their store with gimmicks straight out of a cartoon. Native Roots features these pictograms on its packaging, clothing, accessories, and even its pen-style vaporizers. Anyone who buys and wears one of these Native Roots-branded items immediately becomes a walking advertisement for the company.

Pot Box

PotBox

Of all the Monthly cannabis subscription boxes, PotBox undoubtedly has the best branding. PotBox selects cannabis varieties High-quality medical-grade cannabis, grown ethically, delivered straight from the farm to your doorstep every month. No plastic—just glass—and they even include a wax seal to keep the pre-rolled joints dry.

Marley Natural

Marley Natural

Marley Natural draws inspiration from Rasta colors and has developed high-end products. Even the product photos are meticulously crafted, which clearly shows that they’ve enlisted talented professionals. Every aspect of the launch strategy has been carefully planned, and even their Instagram account is impressive. Despite the controversies surrounding the brand's launch, the result is really top-notch!

Leafs by Snoop

Leafs by Snoop

We would have been really surprised if Snoop Dogg had given in the launch of its brand. But we were quickly reassured by products that would fit right in at a small grocery store. The California-inspired imagery—featuring beaches, blue skies, and palm trees—makes the brand unique. And hiring Pentagram to design the brand’s visual identity was undoubtedly a good idea.

Kiva Confections

Kiva Confections

Kiva Confections has risen to the challenge of presenting its entire product line in an elegant and stylish way. This isn’t necessarily easy given all the constraints of the medical cannabis industry, but Kiva has managed to keep things simple and premium—which undoubtedly accounts for part of its current success.

Bloom Farm Vape Pen

Bloom Farms Vape Pen

Bloom Farms' mission is to provide patients who use medical marijuana. They also promise that for every Bloom Farm product purchased, a meal is donated to a disadvantaged family or someone in need. Sharing always makes a good impression, and their packaging is also well-designed.

Wyld Canna

Wyld Canna

As the industry grows, more and more cannabis products are omitting the word “cannabis” from their packaging in order to attract a new customer base that is less comfortable with the plant. These small packs of chewing gum slip easily into a pocket and can be displayed at the checkout counter of dispensaries in a glass jar.

Firefly Vapor

Firefly vaporizer

Firefly positions itself at the intersection of the cannabis and tech industries. Created by two designers, Mark Williams (formerly of Apple) and Sasha Robinson, the Firefly vaporizer highlights its premium design and the experience it aims to enhance. In fact, their photos look a lot like those of the iPhone.

Billowby

Billowby

Billowby has emerged as an online headshop with a selection of high-end products. Aesthetics are important to Billowby, and Creative Director Esther LeNoir has a keen eye. Working with an in-house photographer to capture new products also helps give the shop a consistent look and feel and sets it apart from other online stores.