While most of us are still reeling from the events of 2020, the cannabis industry had a pretty good year. New products and companies were launched, more legalizing legislation was passed, and the profits have continued to expand even as other industries struggled. Many predicted this would be the year cannabis was finally legalized federally. It wasn’t, but we’ve definitely gotten much closer. With all the anxiety and recovery our country has been going through, cannabis has certainly been an essential aid.
Here’s a recap of some of the laws, products, and companies that launched in 2021.
New products that launched
As cannabis becomes legalized in more states, new products are entering the market -- and some, like potency checkers and smoking devices, don’t even involve actual cannabis flower. Here are a few of the more innovative cannabis products that launched in 2021.
Potency Testing Plus T-Check
Tired of guessing the potency of your edibles? Now there’s a THC and CBD potency tester that gives you lab-grade accuracy to test your flower, concentrates, oils, and more. It even has an accompanying app to check your potency on the go. You can buy just the infusion tester, or package it with their infusion maker and make your own edibles, then test them.
Cani-Sleep
Cani-Sleep is a convenient oral spray that is formulated with melatonin, 5-HTP, and GABA to target all three key sleep phases: relaxation before sleep, falling asleep, and staying asleep. Medical patients can take it to get to sleep, stay asleep, or to get back to sleep. It’s so easy and convenient; you don’t even have to sit up to administer it. You just spray and snooze.
Willie’s Reserve hemp-infused teas
Willie’s Remedy™ infused herbal teas combine top-quality full-spectrum hemp extract grown on American farms with herbal infusions and tea leaves for a flavorful way to refresh your palette. Available in six flavors (wildflowers, breakfast blend black, classic green, peppermint, hibiscus, and chamomile), the pyramid bags are free from plastic, chemicals, and they’re fully biodegradable…aka they’re about as eco-friendly as tea bags come!
Legislation that was passed
2021 saw a LOT of cannabis legislation introduced, from the local level all the way up to federal. Multiple states voted on and ratified laws that either approved use for medicinal purposes or expanded use from medical to recreational. In fact, only four states still have a full ban on cannabis products. An additional three states have decriminalized it (but not legalized it), and seven states have OK’d some cannabis products such as CBD oil. Cannabis is currently legal in 36 states for medical use and legal recreationally in 18 states. No matter the state and status, though, all cannabis is only available for adult-use only.
Many states expanded their cannabis laws this year but here are the ones who legalized it, either for medicinal use or recreational:
- Alabama (medicinal)
- Connecticut (recreational)
- Montana (recreational)
- New Jersey (recreational)
- New Mexico (recreational)
- New York (recreational)
- South Dakota (medicinal)
- Virginia (recreational)
While the federal government hasn’t legalized it yet, there is hope that it will happen over the next few years.
Celebs who entered the cannabis industry
As you’ve read in our musicians and celebrities in the cannabis industry article series, lots of famous people have companies in the cannabis industry. This year, celebrities like Seth Rogen, Travis Barker, and Justin Bieber launched new products and companies. Learn more about their products below.
Seth Rogen
Seth Rogen has definitely been outspoken about his cannabis use, both on and off-screen, since his breakout role as Ben Stone in “Knocked Up”. After a slow rollout in Canada, his cannabis company “Houseplant” was launched in California this year. They started with accessories like ashtrays and lighters but quickly introduced flower. His newest strain, “Bomb Cyclone,” is a hybrid strain that leans Indica. The brand describes it as having “a wide variety of dominant terpenes, including Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Linalool to give it a rich, memorable flavor that’s hallmarked by a creamy, vanilla finish.”
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has certainly had a storied career, and at just 27, he added cannabis collaborator to his already massive resume. A nod to a lyric in his song “Peaches,” Bieber joined forces with California cannabis company “Palms” to release a limited-edition collection of pre-rolls called “PEACHES Pre-Rolls by Palms.” The collection includes seven .5 gram pre-rolls of premium indoor flower and a collectible black lighter that says “PEACHES.” He’s also using the venture to support non-profits like the Last Prisoner Project, which works on criminal justice reform around cannabis convictions.
Travis Barker
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker launched a new line of cannabinoid-infused products designed for rest, relaxation, and recovery, called “Barker Wellness”. After grueling tours where he’d have to play multiple shows a week, Barker experimented with everything from massage to cryotherapy. He found CBD was the most helpful with his recovery. His line of CBD products target sleep, maintenance, and recovery and are designed to be used on their own or together to “work harmoniously to promote full mind and body wellness”.
