How CBD Oil Can Help Manage Your Migraines

For thousands of years, hemp and cannabis were used as medicine for illnesses and chronic pain.¹ Therefore, it’s no surprise that people are beginning to widely accept the pain-relieving benefits that come from taking CBD. Before getting into the benefits of CBD oil and migraines, let’s review what CBD is and its common effects.

What is CBD?

According to the US National Library of Medicine, Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound found within the Cannabis Sativa plant.² Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another chemical compound found in cannabis, CBD is not psychoactive.³

What Are the Effects of CBD?

Considering that CBD is in the plant’s non-psychoactive component, consuming CDB products will not result in feeling euphoric or altered in any way. Despite this, there are still many benefits to using CBD. Although research is limited, there are reports of CBD alleviating chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and migraines.⁴

Can CBD Help Relieve Migraines?

Migraine attacks are one of the most intense forms of headaches. Symptoms can include sensitivity to light, noise, movement, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, or malaise.⁵ Several over the counter pain medications can temporarily alleviate these symptoms but may cause additional side effects. This is where the appeal of using CBD comes into play.

Research of CBD and Migraines

Currently, there are no official published studies that focus on the effects that CBD has on migraines. This is partly due to restrictions placed upon CBD and cannabis regulations. However, there are some lavatory studies⁶ that show that CBD can help with chronic pain, including migraines.

How to Use CBD to Help with Migraines

Although CBD and cannabis products are still widely understudied due to legal restrictions, CBD can still be tried as a natural pain reliever.⁷

CBD oil can be applied topically, ingested, or vaped. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that the inhalation process delivers the compounds to your bloodstream much quicker than other methods.⁸ As a result, in an extreme migraine attack, inhalation may bring the quickest relief.

Need help navigating the regulations of CBD marketing? For assistance with branding, web design, and integrated digital marketing, contact our team at Herban Creative today to learn more.

Murphy Pushes Deadline for the Decriminalization of Weed

The path to legalizing marijuana in New Jersey has been a long and tumultuous one—and it’s not over yet. Despite the overwhelming vote in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults 21+, it’s going to take longer than initially anticipated for the decimalization of weed.

Murphy’s Decriminalization Delays

On December 17th, 2020, two bills that addressed the legalization of adult-use marijuana and the decriminalization of up to six ounces of possession were passed. Unfortunately, Governor Phil Murphy has not signed them due to a “drafting error.” As a result, possession of marijuana will still be considered a crime until the bills are officially signed.

Murphy refused to sign the bills due to their lack of explanation surrounding penalties for minors caught with possession of marijuana. According to Amol Sinha, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, the language on the bill was used to protect minors from suffering significant charges if caught. This has caused a stir and many disagreements amongst Democrats that are currently in control of the statehouse.

What Happens Next?

State lawmakers are in the process of introducing a new bill that highlights fines and other penalties for underage marijuana use. This new bill was drafted in reaction to Murphy’s refusal to sign the previous bills that did not specify the penalties of underage marijuana possession.

This current bill states that a $250 fine would be charged to people between the ages of 18-20 who possess up to six ounces of marijuana. Minors would not be charged the fine, but they could potentially face juvenile delinquency dispositions.¹ For this bill to pass, it must be voted on, passed, and then signed by Murphy.

Stay up to date on the latest happenings in New Jersey regarding marijuana legalization with Herban Creative!

How SMS Text Message Marketing Can Help Cannabis Brands

Short Message Service (SMS) marketing is a marketing tactic that allows brands to message their customers via text. In other words, SMS marketing is just text messaging. In today’s over-advertised, saturated market, it can be difficult to differentiate your brand from competitors and reach new audiences through most channels. But SMS text message marketing allows brands to have an intimate relationship with their customers through a channel most marketers forget about.

What are the Benefits of SMS Marketing for My Cannabis Brand?

Generate More Leads

By creating carefully designed cannabis news, sales offers, and exclusive content, you can appeal to a wider target audience, increase website traffic, and boost potential sales.

Fast Delivery

SMS marketing has instant delivery time. Once you craft your SMS message, it will be delivered instantly to your contact list, making this an excellent channel to send out time sensitive messages such as flash sale information.

Higher Open Rates

SMS marketing has the highest open rate over any other marketing channel.¹ Your brand should be taking advantage of this opportunity to create personalized messages that will help you stand out from all other notifications.

Ways to Implement SMS Marketing into your Cannabis Brand’s Marketing Strategy

Offer Discounts

SMS marketing is an excellent tool for promoting your upcoming sales, discounts, or special offers. In order to get the most out of your message, include a link to your website. This makes it easier for your customers to check out your products and increases your website traffic.

Send Updates and Notifications

Since SMS marketing has an instant delivery time, announcing launch updates, when sales are going to be, and highlighting new products are all great ways to promote your brand, website, and products.

Collect Customer Feedback

SMS marketing allows you to create a more intimate relationship between you and your customers. Therefore, sending SMS messages asking for customer feedback is a great way to gather information about what’s working and what’s not. Additionally, this is a great way to make your customers feel valued and appreciated. This in turn will help create stronger brand loyalty for your customers.

Are you interested in creating a more intimate relationship with your clients? If so, implementing SMS message marketing into your cannabis brand’s marketing strategy can help achieve this. Reach out to our team at Herban Creative, we can help you with all your SMS messaging and cannabis marketing needs.

A Guide to CBD VS THC Marketing

The recent wave of cannabis decimalization and legalization in different parts of the country has created a profound impact on the way people perceive the industry. Marketers should be taking advantage of this new market while also obeying legal standards and elevating consumer perception. Here is our guide to effective CBD vs THC marketing.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most prevalent active ingredient found in the resinous flower of cannabis. In fact, CBD is a naturally occurring chemical compound and accounts for about 40 percent of the plant’s extract.¹ CBD is known to have several healing properties that people can benefit from through the use of CBD oils, pills, vapes, topical creams, and edibles. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not possess euphoric properties when used.

What is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive component found in cannabis and is known for providing a “high” sensation. This happens when the THC stimulates cells in the brain to release dopamine, creating a euphoric feeling.² Similarly to CBD, THC provides several healing benefits when used through inhalation, tincture, oral, or topical use.

What are the Benefits of CBD and THC?

Both CBD and THC provide benefits for chronic pain, insomnia, headaches, migraines, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.³ Unlike CBD, sativa based THC products can provide creative focus, productivity, and energy boosting effects.⁴ Additionally, indica based THC marijuana products can provide intense relaxation effects that work as a sleep aid.

How to Effectively Market CBD vs THC

The Cannabis Industry not only faces a variety of restrictions related to advertisements online, but also with marijuana marketing tactics.⁵ It’s important for your cannabis business to be aware of these restrictions in order to safely market your cannabis products. Here are some marketing tips to utilize when advertising your THC/CBD products.

Content Marketing

To effectively market your THC/CBD products, you must be extremely careful. Since cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, there are many restrictions you must follow. Therefore, focusing your marketing efforts on strong content that educates, provides factual information, and encourages advocacy will safely boost your brand awareness.

Strong Social Media Presence

Although social media is federally funded, your brand should have an active online presence. Social media is one of the first places consumers go to connect with your brand, meaning this is an excellent channel to share the content marketing that you’ve created. Doing this will appeal to your target audience without directly going against social media terms of use.

Interactive Website

In addition to having a strong social media presence, your brand should value having an interactive website that highlights your engaging content. Having a blog section on your website is a great way to create content specifically for the cannabis industry as well as provide value for your customers. Also, include an FAQ section about your products and where they can purchase them legally.

Despite all the progress that has been made towards cannabis legalization, there are still many restrictions placed against marketing CBD and THC products. But knowing how to safely market your products will help get your brand recognized, boost website traffic, and expand your network. At Herban Creative, our expert team can help market your brand strategically to fit the cannabis industry’s restrictions. Contact Herban Creative today!

The Struggle of Cannabis Marketing to the Baby Boomer Generation

As the use of marijuana becomes more normalized, more people are becoming aware of the different healing benefits that come from using cannabis products. Although there is still a lot of work to do, the cannabis community is taking strides in eliminating these harmful stereotypes and normalizing people of all ages, backgrounds, and professions becoming cannabis users.

According to a Pew Research Poll, marijuana use is becoming more prevalent among the baby boomer generation.¹ In fact, it was found that 49% of Republican boomers and 81% of Democrat boomers now favor legalization. Consequently, the baby boomer generation seems to be turning to cannabis as a way to alleviate joint pain, treat insomnia, and provide overall pain relief.

Cannabis brands should not overlook the potential that the baby boomer generation can bring to the cannabis market. As this generation continues to age up, the more eager they will be for pain relief and are expected to grow as legalization continues.

The Struggle of Cannabis Marketing to the Baby Boomer Generation

Although the boomer generation seems to be more accepting of cannabis than ever before, there is still a stigma attached that prevents most boomers from being fully on board with legalization. The reason many boomers struggle to overcome the cannabis stigma can be traced back to decades of the “War On Drugs” anti-marijuana propaganda that they were exposed to in the 1980s.² To overcome this intense level of skepticism and stigma, cannabis brands should focus on marketing to boomers’ specific needs.

How to Market to The Baby Boomer Generation:

Start with CBD

Baby boomers that have minimal experience with cannabis are more likely to be hesitant to jump right into smoking marijuana. Instead, focusing on CBD options is a great way to dip their toes into the cannabis market. CBD is also an excellent option for boomers who suffer from chronic pain but don’t want to feel THC’s effects. In fact, a 2018 report showed that baby boomers are the most common CBD enthusiasts of all age groups (8.4% in 2018).³

Focus on Educating

As mentioned, boomers are incredibly hesitant about cannabis. After all, they grew up hearing anti-marijuana public service announcements. Therefore, having experts working for your brand that can educate, offer the best products, and react sensitively to their concerns is a great way to break the stigma.

Focus on the Medicinal Effects

As boomers continue to age up, they are more likely to experience some chronic pain. Whether that be joint pain, migraines, insomnia, etc. highlighting the medicinal effects that cannabis can alleviate will score major points with this generation’s members.

Highlight Edible Options

The act of inhaling smoke can seem very undesirable for many boomers, and therefore highlighting other options can be very beneficial to your brand. Whether that’s edible gummies or tinctures, anti-smoking boomers are more likely to be less hesitant in comparison.

Offer Special Offers

The use of special offers and discounts is a great way to appeal to the boomer generation. Boomers tend to be highly motivated by saving money and creating brand loyalty. Offering customer loyalty programs that provide special offers is a great way to retain your boomer customers.

For your cannabis brand to market to its highest potential, you should expand your marketing strategy to include the baby boomer generational cohort. Contact Herban Creative to learn more about cannabis marketing.

1. “Two-thirds of Americans support marijuana legalization.” Pew Research Center, 14 November 2019, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/11/14/americans-support-marijuana-legalization/
2. “A Brief, Paranoid History of Anti-Weed PSAs.” Vice, 21 April 2017, https://www.vice.com/en/article/ez3b8p/history-of-anti-weed-psas-weedweek2017
3. “State of Cannabis: Consumers diversified in 2018.” Eaze, 15 January 2019, https://www.eaze.com/article/insights-2018-state-of-cannabis-report-marijuana-consumer-diversify

How to Determine Your Cannabis Brand’s Target Audience

One of the most detrimental mistakes that cannabis brands can make is generalizing their target audience. Although traditional pop culture may stereotype marijuana users, it’s imperative to avoid falling into the trap of stereotyping your audience.

According to a study by Miner and Co. Studio, of 800 Cannabis Consumers, 88% consider themselves a part of a new cannabis culture.[1] This new culture identifies themselves as social, sophisticated, and professional individuals rather than the stereotypical “stoner.”

Keeping this new cannabis culture in mind is essential when determining your cannabis brand’s target audience. Understanding consumers’ different cohorts is a critical component of creating effective marketing strategies that create value for your customers.

Different Cannabis Consumers

Here is a list of real-life cannabis consumers that would be detrimental to overlook:

Medicinal Users

This group of consumers use cannabis for its medicinal effects. Marijuana and CBD alike appeal to this cohort. These users often use cannabis to treat chronic pain, insomnia, headaches, migraines, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.[2] To effectively market to this group, your brand should advertise all the medicinal properties that come with your products or services.

Professionals

According to a study, 84% of cannabis consumers are employed full time.[3] Not only does this debunk so many stereotypes of cannabis users, it’s also a massive percentage of people that your brand can appeal to. Your brand should highlight the relaxing and mindful effects that Indica-based products can provide professionals to unwind after a stressful work week.

The Creative Community

The creative types of cannabis consumers have always been a major driving force in the cannabis community. These types of consumers typically rely on Sativa-based products to inspire their creative pursuits. To market to this group of consumers, your brand should highlight the creative focus, productivity, and energy-boosting effects of using your products.

Connoisseurs

This group of consumers know absolutely everything there is to know about cannabis. These consumers are more likely to invest in high quality and expensive products and be well-versed in different cannabis communities. To market to this cohort, focus on your brand’s unique and exciting products that distinguishes you from other cannabis competitors.

For your cannabis brand to market to its highest potential, you must understand that there is no one type of cannabis consumer. Cannabis users are educated and diverse professionals, and knowing this is the first step to effectively segmenting your target audience. If you need help understanding your audience, get in touch with Herban Creative. We can help identify who you should be targeting and create an integrated digital campaign to reach the right people.

1, 3 “The New Cannabis Consumer: Stoners No More.” Miner & Co Studio, November 2016, https://www.minerandcostudio.com/a-new-class-of-cannabis-consumers

2 “What Medical Marijuana Works For.” AARP, 3 September 2019, https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2019/cannabis-for-medical-conditions.html

Implementing a Successful Marketing Campaign for Your THC Brewery Brand

It’s no secret that the cannabis industry faces a variety of restrictions when implementing marketing tactics online.[1] But being aware of these restrictions can allow your THC brewery brand to create an effective marketing campaign without risking your ads being removed.

What Paid Ads are Allowed and What Aren’t

Allowed

1. Billboards
Under certain circumstances, billboard cannabis advertisements are allowed. Yet there are still several laws and regulations that may prevent you from being considered for billboard advertisements based on what state you’re in.

2. Print Advertisements
Cannabis print advertisements have become more normalized due to the rise in many print marijuana and cannabis magazines on the market. As long as the audience is aimed at 21+ years of age and follows state laws and regulations, you should be able to advertise in print.

Not Allowed

1. Google Ads
As a corporation, Google abides by federal law, which means that it cannot allow for the promotion or selling of cannabis. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this by using keywords associated with hemp, which are allowed to be marketed.

2. Social Ads
Unfortunately, all social media channels such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are federally regulated. As a result, paid cannabis marketing on social media violates social media policies. Once again, there are ways to get around this, but it limits your brand’s reach and content possibilities.

How to Market Your THC Brewery Brand Safely

Develop a Brand Persona

Before you can effectively market your THC brewery brand, you must develop a brand identity that your audience can identify with. To do this, determine the traits of your THC beer that you want to highlight. If your target audience is more outdoorsy, use that characteristic to create a brand persona to differentiate you from competitors.

Create Valuable Content

Content can be valuable to your audience by including informative infographics focusing on your brewing process, a blog highlighting your different brews, etc. Creating authentic content can help boost your SEO, which allows you to connect with your audience and promote brand awareness.

Strong Social Media Presence

Like mentioned above, social media is federally regulated, which means that advertising your THC brews can be difficult but not impossible. One of the first places consumers go to connect with your brand is social media. Your brand should be sharing original, educational, and entertaining content that links to your website. Doing this will appeal to your target audience without directly using cannabis terminology, images of cannabis, or the promotion of selling cannabis. Instead, focus on your brand’s brewing and social aspect since that doesn’t go against federal law.

Although there are many restrictions placed against your THC brewery brand, there are still many ways to get your brand recognized. Focus on creating content that aims to grow your network, boost website traffic, and gain new customers. Herban Creative can help you get started. Our experienced team markets strategically within the cannabis industry restrictions. Contact Herban Creative today!

1 “Paid Cannabis Advertising: What’s Allowed, and What’s Not.” Cannabis Marketing Association, 1 July 2019, http://cannamarket.wpengine.com/paid-advertising-and-cannabis-whats-allowed-and-whats-not/

NJ to Introduce New Bill Detailing the Latest Marijuana Industry Happenings

With about 65% of New Jersey voters voting in favor of legal use of recreational marijuana¹ to customers 21 and over, the Garden State is set to join the 11 additional states that have legalized cannabis.

On Friday, November 6th, State Senator Nicholas Scutari introduced a bill² outlining how this new cannabis industry will function. This bill largely pulled from the 2019 bill that failed to pass due to lack of support. Scutari is hopeful that the bill will pass through both the full Senate and Assembly by November 16th.

This new 206 page bill introduces a new major change for medicinal marijuana license holders. Current law limits these licensees to operating one location for cultivation but with this new bill, they will be able to add two more cultivation sites for additional marijuana growth to help meet future supply demands. With this new addition to the bill, lawmakers are expecting to get the recreational market up and running quickly without impacting the 95,000 current New Jersey resident medical marijuana users.

Following the authorization of legal use recreational marijuana, Governor Phil Murphy has named two appointees to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission³. This commission will work to oversee the new legal marijuana industry, the existing medical marijuana program, as well as the new potential marijuana consumers.

Unlike the existing medical marijuana program set in place, this new commission will not limit the number of licenses the commission can issue for wholesalers, retailers, etc. This will mark major change due to the existing medical marijuana program being extremely limited on license distribution, with only 12 companies legally allowed to operate⁴.

Additionally, this legislation wasn’t the only bill discussed following the passing of the ballot’s legalization question. Governor Phil Murphy is looking into passing a bill that decriminalizes possession of up to six ounces of marijuana⁵. This will be discussed further during the hearings this coming week.

Stay up to date on the latest happenings in NJ regarding legalization with Herban Creative!

1. https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/11/election-2020-nj-voters-approve-legal-weed-ballot-question.html
2. https://files.constantcontact.com/5fec8eef701/60be30ba-be8c-4a47-908f-24d878c26c45.pdf
3. https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/11/legal-weed-now-approved-murphy-names-picks-for-commission-to-oversee-nj-marijuana-industry.html
4. https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/04/12th-nj-medical-weed-dispensary-issued-permit-to-grow-as-patients-still-wait-on-4-others-to-open.html
5. https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/11/you-would-be-able-to-possess-up-to-6-ounces-of-weed-in-nj-under-decriminalization-bill.html

What Does the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Mean for Businesses in NJ?

New Jersey voters have authorized a constitutional amendment that legalizes marijuana for personal, non-medical, and recreational use by residents 21 and older. This amendment now allows for the state of New Jersey to create a regulated market for the cannabis industry.

In addition to the state’s age restriction on recreational use, the state has imposed a 6.625 percent state tax[1] as well as an additional municipalities 2% tax. Governor Phil Murphy feels that the potential of extra tax revenue can help ease a post pandemic recovery,[2] create new jobs, as well as generate about $126 million[3] a year once the market is established.

NJ Cannabis Dispensaries

New Jersey is currently home to twelve dispensaries[4] that currently serve an estimated 95,000 patents. The goal of State Senator Nicholas Scutari is to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to sell to the general public immediately. Dispensaries however, are not prepared to supply their patients as well as an additional estimated 1 million customers. Meaning that this process can take anywhere from months to a year, before recreational marijuana becomes a reality in New Jersey. During this potentially lengthy process, dispensaries will find themselves in need for knowledgeable employees, scientists, and botanists to handle the rapid demand coming from the influx of recreational users.

NJ Cannabis Grow Facilities

With the legalization of recreational use marijuana, cannabis grow facilities will need to up their supply in preparation for these new consumers. This may be an additional contributing factor to a slower legalization process due to the time needed to grow cannabis. Additional cultivation takes between 3-4 months[5] to completely harvest. Additionally, NJ’s cannabis growth facilities are going to require more staff to meet the demand and additional botanists to specialize in the cultivation process.

Cannabis Tracking and Transportation in NJ

States that have legalized recreational marijuana use typically use a statewide system to record the inventory and movement of cannabis through the commercial cannabis supply chain.[6] Typically these track and trace systems are used by all licensed cannabis cultivation botanists, manufacturers, retailers, etc. With Massachusetts[7] being the closest legal state in proximity to New Jersey, it’s likely that NJ will follow similar tracking and transportation efforts. These new efforts can open the job market due to the overwhelming demand on the manufacturing level, retail level, and laboratory testing level.

If you’re looking to stay up to date on the latest happenings in NJ regarding legalization, check out our blog at Herban Creative!

1. https://ballotpedia.org/New_Jersey_Public_Question_1,_Marijuana_Legalization_Amendment_(2020)
2. https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/07/murphy-says-legalizing-weed-is-incredibly-smart-to-offset-budget-woes-triggered-by-coronavirus.html
3. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/SCR/183_E1.PDF
4. https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/10/medical-cannabis-dispensaries-form-trade-group-ahead-of-legal-weed-referendum.html
5. https://www.growweedeasy.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-grow-weed
6. https://mgretailer.com/business/retail-merchandise/track-and-trace-systems-are-still-working-out-the-kinks/
7. https://www.biotrack.com/massachusetts/

What We Know So Far About NJ’s Legalization of Recreational Marijuana

New Jersey voters authorized the legalization of recreational marijuana[1] to customers 21 and over on Tuesday November 3rd, 2020. After a series of legislative failures, the state of New Jersey can now move forward in a potentially lengthy process of passing a bill that details the regulations that will come with this new legal marijuana industry.

What Happens Next?

The vote in favor of legalizing the use of recreational marijuana is only the beginning. State lawmakers must pass a bill before people can begin purchasing and using marijuana legally. State Senator Nick Scutari will be introducing the legislation[2] as soon as Thursday, November 5th. Additionally, Governor Phil Murphy and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin must name appointees to a Cannabis Regulatory Commission[3], which will oversee and regulate the industry.

When Will This Go into Effect?

Scutari stated in an interview with NJ.com[4] that his top priorities are to get the vote passed and passed quickly. He also mentioned that he and Murphy have been continually drafting the bill with co-sponsors and the governor’s office. Scutari’s optimism continued when mentioning that medical dispensaries could potentially begin legally selling immediately after the bill passes.

Despite Scutari’s statements, dispensaries may be a contributing factor to a lengthier process than hoped for. Dispensaries must undergo an intense licensing process, preparation for an influx of 1 million customers, and adding new growers to the state’s supply. This process can take anywhere from months to a year before recreational marijuana becomes a reality. Using some of our northern neighbors as a template, the first dispensary opened two years after voters passed a 2016 referendum to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts[5] and four years later in Maine[6]. New Jersey is on the right track to passing a bill that decriminalizes possession of marijuana[7] and a bill that details the rules and regulations of the recreational use of marijuana.

Stay up to date on the latest happenings in NJ regarding legalization with Herban Creative!

1. https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/11/election-2020-nj-voters-approve-legal-weed-ballot-question.html
2. https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/11/with-little-worry-about-marijuana-ballot-question-passing-top-lawmakers-busy-crafting-nj-law.html
3. https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562019/20190702d.shtml
4. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=947369779120044&ref=search
5. https://www.bisnow.com/boston/news/retail/heightened-regulations-and-bureaucracy-slowing-down-cannabis-retail-rollout-in-massachusetts-103455
6. https://dopemagazine.com/maine-just-opened-up-its-first-recreational-cannabis-shops/
7. https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/06/bill-to-decriminalize-marijuana-just-passed-nj-assembly-instead-of-arrest-a-50-fine.html