Dope Thinking
The Pros and Cons of Licensed vs. Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries
The cannabis industry is booming, and entrepreneurs everywhere are eyeing the green rush. But before you roll up your sleeves (and maybe something else), there’s one big decision to make: licensed or unlicensed? It’s like choosing between a legit coffee shop and a speakeasy—both have their perks and risks. As the creative minds behind Dope People, a design and branding agency specializing in cannabis businesses, we’ve seen it all. Let’s break down the pros and cons with a little flair and a lot of real talk.
High Design Trends for Cannabis Branding in 2025
Cannabis branding has come a long way from the days of tie-dye leaves and cliché “420-friendly” slogans. As the industry matures and competition heats up, cannabis brands are stepping up their design game, delivering packaging and visuals that wouldn’t look out of place on the shelves of a high-end boutique. So, what’s next for cannabis branding in 2025? Here’s what’s rolling onto the scene (pun intended)…
The Dope Guide to Dry January: When Booze Says No, Cannabis Says Yo!
Welcome to January, the month of resolutions, fresh starts, and the sudden urge to Marie Kondo your life. For many, it’s also the time for a popular tradition called Dry January—an alcohol-free cleanse to recover from the holiday hangover (both literal and metaphorical). But while your local bartender might be missing your tips, Dry January doesn’t have to mean the end of all indulgence. Enter cannabis: your green, leafy ally for staying chill while staying dry.
Let’s unpack how Dry January and cannabis can go hand-in-hand, making this month less about sacrifice and more about mindful substitution…
Blazing Into 2025: Cannabis Marketing & Design Trends to Watch
As the smoke clears on 2024, we find ourselves staring into the green glow of 2025 with optimism, curiosity, and maybe just a touch of paranoia (but hey, that’s the industry, right?). The cannabis space is evolving at light speed, and so are the ways we market and design for it. Whether you’re an established OG or a scrappy startup hoping to leave your mark, knowing the trends and potential pitfalls ahead is crucial for your brand’s growth. So, let’s roll it up and spark some insight into what’s coming…
The Highs and Lows in the Cannabis Business 2024
As we roll to the end of 2024, it’s time to spark a conversation about the year that was in cannabis. From headline-grabbing wins to buzzkill setbacks, this year has been a rollercoaster for both the legal market and the not-so-legal “grey” market. Grab your favorite strain—we’re breaking it all down…
10 High-Grade Web Design Tips
The cannabis industry is booming, and your business deserves a digital presence that’s as fresh and enticing as the products you offer. Whether you're slinging CBD tinctures or showcasing top-shelf flower, a well-designed website can make the difference between a curious visitor and a loyal customer. But let’s be real—this isn’t just any business. Cannabis comes with its own unique challenges (and opportunities) when it comes to web design. So grab your favorite strain of inspiration, and let’s dive into some web design tips that are high on creativity and functionality…
Beyond the Baggie: Cannabis Packaging That Sells Itself
When you think about what makes a cannabis product a hit, your mind probably goes straight to the quality of the flower, the potency of the concentrate, or the irresistible flavors of the edible. But let’s face it: before anyone tries your product, they’re judging it by the packaging. In the cannabis industry, where competition is high (pun intended), packaging is often the first impression you make—and it’s the one that sticks…
Elevating Your Cannabis Brand Through Social Media Strategies
When it comes to cannabis and social media, the relationship status is complicated. While every other industry gets to frolic freely across platforms, cannabis businesses face stricter rules, higher stakes, and the constant threat of a post being zapped into oblivion. But don’t worry—navigating the green haze of social media doesn’t have to feel like a bad trip. With a little strategy, creativity, and perhaps a pinch of professional help, your cannabis business can thrive online…
Wrap It, Roll It, Light It: Holiday Marketing and Packaging Tips for Cannabis Brands
The holiday season is upon us, and cannabis brands have a golden (or perhaps green) opportunity to spread some cheer—and rake in the sales. Whether your customers are shopping for Christmas, Hanukkah, or just something festive to make their holiday gatherings a little higher spirited, it's time to get creative with marketing and packaging. After all, cannabis is the gift that keeps on giving (and sharing is caring). Let’s dive into how to make your cannabis brand the star of the season…
High Visibility: Why Marketing Matters for Cannabis Success
Ah, the cannabis industry—a green rush of opportunity, innovation, and, let’s be honest, a fair amount of chaos. From legacy growers transitioning into the legal market to shiny new dispensaries popping up on every corner, there’s no shortage of businesses vying for attention. But here’s the thing: no matter how good your product is, if no one knows about it, it’s as good as rolling your top-shelf flower into a soggy joint paper. This is where marketing comes in, folks, and let me tell you—it matters…
Your Weed Is Fire, But Is Your Brand Lit?
When you started your cannabis business, you probably imagined a future where your flower, edibles, or tinctures were flying off the shelves, adored by consumers everywhere. What you might not have pictured was the fact that the most valuable thing you'd cultivate wouldn’t be your product—but your brand…
Rolling in the Green: How to Make Your Cannabis Business Irresistible to Investors
When you entered the legal cannabis industry, you probably envisioned a smooth path to cashing in on the green rush. Whether you transitioned from the black market as a legacy grower or dove in hoping to capitalize on “the next big thing,” you may have underestimated just how challenging this space can be…
Why Your Cannabis Brand Might Need a Breath of Fresh Air (and that’s not a bad thing)
Cannabis brands often get attached to their original look, like a cozy hoodie that’s seen better days. Your logo, your vibe, your familiar design language—it’s hard to imagine parting ways with something that’s worked well for you. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” you might think. But here’s the catch…
Cannabis Branding: It’s More Than Just Leaves and Logos
When it comes to cannabis branding, there’s a big, beautiful haze of misunderstanding. People often assume it’s just about designing a trendy logo, slapping it on a jar, and pairing it with the right shade of green (always green). But branding is so much more than that—it’s a reflection of your business’s soul. Yes, your cannabis company has a soul. And no, it doesn’t smell skunky.
Cannabis Design Clichés (and how to overcome them)
When designing for a cannabis brand, it's easy to fall into the trap of relying on overused visual elements and concepts that have become industry clichés. To stand out in this increasingly competitive market, it's essential to push beyond these predictable tropes and create a fresh, modern identity that resonates with today's diverse and evolving cannabis consumers. Here are the top 5 most cliché design ideas:
The Virtue of Pretentiousness
In a world that often celebrates humility and modesty, the virtues of pretentiousness are frequently overlooked and misunderstood. Far from being merely an exercise in vanity or superficiality, pretentiousness can be a powerful tool for self-improvement and cultural enrichment. It pushes individuals to aspire towards higher standards, to immerse themselves in the richness of art, literature, and intellectual pursuits—and to cultivate a more refined and discerning taste.
The Dope Inspiration
Back in 2010, Scott Myers featured an interview with Ira Glass of “This American Life” (NPR) fame. It was a series of four videos, one of which was particularly inspirational for those (like me) involved in creative work. It speaks to the very essence of creativity, how if we give ourselves over to it, and do the work — lots of it, as Glass suggests — magic can happen.
Our Dope Services
Start-Ups
You just planted that seed for a new brand and now you need help with, let’s see—checks notes—everything? Logo? Color palette? Packaging? Marketing? Socials?
Established Brands
You got a dope brand already but you want to grow it to the next level? Or maybe your team just needs a helping hand? We’re here for you, let’s spark some ideas together!
Consultations
Questions? So, so, sooooo many questions. Let’s hop on a chat and get you some answers! We’re not only here to answer your questions but to help you focus on what questions to ask.