My Theme for 2025 is QUALITY
Let’s be real: the cannabis industry is booming. We’re talking $38.4 billion in sales projected for 2024—that’s bigger than the entire U.S. craft beer market! But here’s the problem: with all this cash rolling in, why does it feel like quality is being treated like an afterthought?
If you’ve ever picked up some dry, crumbly weed or questioned what exactly is in that vape cart, you’re not alone. As someone who’s been in the industry trenches, I see the gaps every day. And in 2025, I’m calling it—this is the year we demand better. (Read more about vape contamination via LA Times.)
Where Quality is Missing
Let’s break this down. Quality issues in cannabis show up in a few big ways:
- Contaminated Products
Did you know cannabis is sometimes sold with mold, pesticides, and other harmful contaminants? Yep, you read that right. Mold thrives in the humid conditions used for growing, and some products hit the shelves anyway because regulations aren’t consistent, and testing fraud is a major problem. Gross, right? - Inconsistent Experiences
Ever had two gummies from the same brand, and one barely worked while the other knocked you out? That’s another quality control issue. This often happens when cannabinoids like THC aren’t properly mixed during processing. If the mixture isn’t uniform, some parts end up more potent than others, leading to unpredictable effects. Ensuring even distribution is key to creating a consistent, reliable edible experience. (tcheck) - The Worker Connection
Here’s something people don’t talk about enough: when workers aren’t treated well—whether it’s poor training, bad working conditions, or a lack of resources—quality suffers. Listening to workers who have feedback about their work environment is crucial to mitigating issues and solutions before they become costly and out of hand. Happy, knowledgeable workers = better products. It’s that simple.
Why Quality Matters
Let’s zoom out. When we talk about “quality,” we’re not just talking about fancy packaging or perfect-looking nugs. Quality means:
- Safe products that don’t harm consumers.
- Trust between brands and customers.
- Sustainability for the entire industry—because without quality, people lose faith in cannabis as a legitimate, reliable product.
Oh, and let’s not forget: low-quality products can lead to expensive recalls, lawsuits, and bad press. Nobody wants that. (Qualityze)
How We Fix It
So, how do we make 2025 the year of QUALITY? Here are a few ideas:
Accountability in Testing
Paying to pass testing and manipulating data is a dangerous practice that undermines the entire cannabis industry. When test results are falsified or influenced by financial incentives, it skews the true safety and potency of products. This kind of behavior creates false confidence among consumers and regulators, diverting attention from addressing real issues like contamination and public health concerns. (Read more here.)
Worker Training
If your budtender or grower doesn’t know their stuff, that’s a problem. And the only reason they don’t is because their employer hasn’t put a priority on teaching them. Workers are the backbone of this industry, and investing in their training pays off in better products, workforce productivity and overall customer experiences.
Transparency & Quality by Design
Imagine if every brand told you exactly how their products were made, tested, and grown. Transparency builds trust, and it pushes everyone in the industry to do better. By adopting rigorous STANDARDS, either through regulation or voluntarily, efficiency will follow naturally. The benefits of leading by way of quality cannot be overstated! (Read more here.)
Standardized Rules
Right now, cannabis laws are all over the place. What’s legal in one state might not fly in another. We need clear, national standards for quality. Period. Time for CANNRA to get their sh*t together, respectfully.
The Bottom Line
The cannabis industry has come a long way, but if we want to keep growing (and, more importantly, keep customers happy and safe), we need to step it up. Quality isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of trust, sustainability, and success.
So, whether you’re a grower, a budtender, or just someone who enjoys a good pre-roll, let’s make 2025 the year we demand better. Because in an industry making billions, there’s no excuse for anything less.
If you want to read more about my predicted trends for 2025 outside of Quality, give this a read!
