Greenway’s Best of the Industry nomination period begins

Join us in celebrating the top leaders, companies, brands, and products in the Greenway industry as voted by industry professionals and consumers.

Courtesy of Greenway

Each year, Greenway asks industry professionals and consumers to submit nominations for the leaders, companies, brands, products, and businesses they have deemed to be the Best of the Industry.As the industry and climate have grown, shifted, condensed, and bloomed, we have changed as well. This year, we have expanded categories to show the growth of offerings to consumers and created new categories celebrating some of the most productive industry positions.

Awards oversight is provided by a committee of industry and advocacy professionals who contributed in a variety of ways.

The top nominees for each category are selected to be voted on by readers, allowing industry participants and consumers to speak for themselves. In 2023, more than 150,000 votes were cast to determine the Best of the Industry.

Since its inception, the Greenway Best of the Industry has recognized the people and companies that strive to make the Missouri cannabis industry a success. We have recognized leaders, advocates, educators, and elected representatives; highlighting those who have brought value, insight, passion, and compassion to an ever-changing and growing space – turning industry into community.  

Please take the time to nominate your favorite brands and products and the colleagues and companies you deem to best represent the Missouri cannabis industry below.

To vote click here

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Green Wednesday: A growing opportunity in cannabis retail

Courtesy of Greenway

As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, Green Wednesday—the day before Thanksgiving—has emerged as one of the busiest days for cannabis sales. Ranking second only to 4/20 in sales volume, the day has become a cornerstone for retailers and brands looking to engage consumers and boost revenue. Harrison Bard, CEO of Custom Cones USA, explained how this sales week highlights both the cultural and economic importance of cannabis.

“Green Wednesday is the second-biggest sales week after 4/20,” Bard told Greenway. “It’s a huge opportunity for both brands and dispensaries to capitalize on the sales. The reason behind it is everyone’s gathering, being social, has time off;  so those are all perfect recipes for increased cannabis sales.”

Green Wednesday is only the beginning of cannabis’s holiday sales rush. December 23, just before Christmas, has become another major sales day, with pre-roll sales typically increasing by 18%. This underscores the role cannabis plays in holiday traditions, both as a social activity and as a gift.

Record-breaking Green Wednesday sales

Green Wednesday sales have continued to climb, highlighting the increasing demand for cannabis products. According to Jane Technologies, cannabis sales on Green Wednesday 2023 reached $9.2 million, marking an 11.43% increase from the previous year and a staggering 90.5% jump compared to the three prior Green Wednesdays. This surge can be attributed to consumers stocking up ahead of the holiday weekend.

Flower remained the top-selling category, generating $3.3 million in Green Wednesday sales, while pre-rolls took fourth place, pulling in $963,000. Data from cannabis analytics firm Headset revealed that pre-roll sales during Thanksgiving week totaled $50.4 million, with 4.9 million units sold. This represented a 26.3% increase in revenue and 1.4 million more units sold compared to 2022.

Bard emphasized the cultural aspects driving these sales, particularly the tradition of the “cousins’ walk,” a ritual where family members step outside for a cannabis break during Thanksgiving festivities. “You see so many commercials and jokes and memes about that now,” Bard said. “It’s part of the holiday now to celebrate with your cousins by going out and smoking.”

Infused pre-rolls leading growth

While flower remains dominant, infused pre-rolls are quickly catching up, especially in the Missouri market. “The next biggest category (after hybrid pre-rolls) is the infused pre-rolls,” Bard explained. “And those are about half as much. Infused pre-roll sales are up by almost 200% year over year. Last year, infused pre-rolls were at about $14.5 million in total sales, and now we’re pushing at over $43 million, and those are continuing to grow really fast.”

This growth reflects both innovation and affordability. “As prices for high-quality flower and concentrates are decreasing, infused pre-rolls are becoming more accessible,” Bard noted. “Manufacturers can produce them at the same cost as regular pre-rolls, which means consumers are getting better products for less money.”

Strategic preparation for success

To fully capitalize on Green Wednesday, cannabis businesses must prepare well in advance. “All of the Thanksgiving sales for a business, the preparation gets pushed forward,” Bard said. “At Custom Cones USA, we see an increase in sales in October. That’s when all the businesses are manufacturing and trying to get their goods out to retail. It’s like planning for Christmas.”

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