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Wednesday March 22, 2017

Updated on 8/2/2021

By Michael Walters

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420 Culture

The bond between the cannabis industry and innovation is undeniable. Over the span of the industry’s historic up-rise, cannabis companies have come and gone. However, the companies that have solidified their business roots for the foreseeable future, all have one thing in common. Innovation. Canna-businesses that last are built upon a foundation of progress – providing consumers with consistently fresh and tangible ways to enjoy cannabis.

The need for innovation within the cannabis industry not only fuels businesses to create new and exciting products but also creates a foundation for future leaders of thought. Transitioning from the black market into a legal market has allowed marijuana businesses to hone in on their acumen and social responsibility plans, making current leaders of the industry respectable role models for future generations.

Innovations in Cannabis Technology

In recent years, vaporizer companies have been at the forefront of innovation. Able to transcend the ideology of conventional smoking and cannabis consumption, vaporizer companies have created an intricate subculture within the cannabis community. That culture has grown leaps and bounds over the past few years and, as innovative breakthroughs have been achieved, transformed into one of the largest aspects of the cannabis industry. From flower to concentrate, vaporizers have been providing cannabis enthusiasts with a clean, effective and healthier outlet to consume.

Aside from the potential health benefits vaporization has to offer, vaping has become popular because of the intense flavor it produces. Cannabis consumption has become increasingly refined over the past few years, focusing on compounds like terpenes more than ever before. Terpenes are responsible for the different smells and tastes of cannabis, making a product’s flavor a crucial aspect when determining its quality. Because of this, many companies are creating cannabis consumption tools specifically tailored to bring out the most robust flavor profiles possible.

One of the most exciting innovations in the quest for flavor is the science behind low-temperature consumption methods. The practice of low-temp dabbing is extremely popular among concentrate enthusiasts, and the ideology behind it is even making its way into flower vaporizers. Perhaps the most notable product in regard vaping innovation is the DaVinci IQ vaporizer. The sleek and modernly designed IQ comes fully-equipped with some of the most advanced features on the market, including enhanced temperature control.

DaVinci IQ The DaVinci IQ is loaded with advanced features photo credit

Offering three different temperature functions, including precision temperature control, the IQ enables the consumer to choose their vaping experience and truly savor the flavor.

Precise low-heat temperatures evenly and effectively vaporize cannabis, resulting in a smoother hit and a more pleasurable experience.

Additionally, vaporizers offering precise temperature control are a more health-conscious option as they do not create combustion or impure vapor. Utilizing temperature control to its full potential is debatably one of the most important innovations in vaporization and cannabis consumption.

Moving Forward

All this talk of innovation really gets us excited for the future, and for good reason. In an industry that yearns for progress, there is essentially limitless possibility moving forward. The cannabis industry experiences progress nearly every day as adaptations and products are made to suit the needs of specific types of consumers.

Because marijuana is becoming more and more common across the United States, the industry is seeing a wide variety of new consumers enter the scene. Gone are the days where only a certain type of person smoked weed, stoners are all around us and in more places than you may know!

Because of this trend of discreet consumption, it’s safe to say that we can expect to see a big focus on stealthier devices in the future. Back in the 70s, it may have been the norm for pot smokers to make themselves known. But nowadays, many people prefer to keep their love for the green on the down-low, creating a niche market for products that shelter cannabis from public eye.

Another hot trend that is paving the way for progress is the cannabinoid cannabidiol, or CBD. CBD has taken the media by storm as of late and many people are considering it as a viable way to treat their medical ailments.

The popularity of CBD has sprouted up many new companies seeking to gather their share of the market. With the increase in competition, there is no doubt we will start to see new and exciting CBD products start coming to market.

Another big step towards progress is the concept of providing the consumer with quality educational information and an easier interface with dispensaries and the products they sell. While the main goal of a dispensary is to make a profit, a recent push for consumer education is sweeping across canna-businesses in an effort to better articulate their products to consumers. The idea is that if a consumer is better educated, they will pursue higher-valued and higher-quality items in the store.

Part of this recent momentum for consumer education coincides with innovation for online and call-ahead shopping. Deals systems, live-inventory management and up-to-date menus are all important aspects of a dispensary’s operations. But for quick order-ahead shopping to be effective, the consumer must be educated on cannabis products and ask minimal questions. Otherwise, the budtender facilitating sales will not be able to operate quickly enough. For this reason, the cannabis industry is likely to see a large increase in staff training and consumer-facing educational content.

The Future of Innovation

The cannabis industry is certainly in for a wild ride in the coming years, making jobs within the industry a hot commodity. That being said, the cannabis industry is growing each and every day, meaning the need for jobs is higher than ever before. Canna-businesses are even poaching high-profile employees from other prominent industries like healthcare, pharmaceutical and science, resulting in steep competition for positions.

So how do you get a step ahead as an aspiring innovator in this highly emergent industry? By standing out from the crowd. While opportunities to get a foot in the door are sometimes scarce, companies like DaVinci are offering exciting scholarship programs for young minds looking to pursue a career in the cannabis industry. The DaVinci Scholarship program offers a huge push towards progressing education to creative minds seeking to create revolutionary new cannabis technology for an emergent industry.

Future minds are needed to advance cannabis technology Future minds are needed to advance cannabis technology photo credit

Understanding the need for future-mindedness with concern for both consumer and technological advancements on the horizon is a critical aspect of creating longevity in this industry. No matter how you spin it, one thing is for certain; the cannabis industry needs innovation to continue its rise to legitimacy. The only question that remains unanswered is if you’ll be a part of the historic movement.

Photo Credit: DaVinci


Author

Michael Walters Michael Walters

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a degree in Writing and Rhetoric, Michael started his journey in the cannabis industry managing content, communications, and technical writing for one of Colorado's largest dispensary chains. In 2016, Michael pivoted to the ancillary sector to become PotGuide's Content Manager and was responsible for overseeing all of PotGuide’s editorial endeavors and content marketing strategies. Now, Michael is PotGuide's Director of Content & Marketing, focusing his efforts toward new educational content and exciting media endeavors.

With a life-long passion for cannabis knowledge and education, Michael devoted himself to becoming a subject matter expert on marijuana at an early age. Now, Michael has worked in the marijuana industry for over four years helping break down negative stigma and promoting safe cannabis practices. An avid consumer himself, Michael has worked tirelessly to improve content marketing strategies for cannabis businesses and is devoted to creating meaningful content that is useful to a wide variety of marijuana consumers. Follow Michael on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates and insights.

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