CHICAGO – StrainBrain, an AI budtender solution, launched a proprietary AI behavioral intelligence layer the company said delivers accurate, science-based recommendations.
Four years in development, OWL, or Optimized Weighted Language AI model, recognizes user intent, learns from industry interactions, and can recommend every product dispensaries offer. Additional new capabilities include an expert mode, AI-powered match explanations, and more industry integrations.
Across the industry, 85% of all cannabis sales start online, and online orders generate 87% more in sales than walk-ins. However, complex online menus can be challenging to navigate, and budtender assistance is limited to the in-store experience.
When used as part of a dispensary’s e-commerce experience, StrainBrain offers consumers personalized, science-based recommendations that match the desired effect with available inventory – all in just four clicks.
“Dispensaries are challenged with thinning margins, a crowded market, and an e-commerce experience filled with friction,” said Dina Rollman, CEO of StrainBrain. “StrainBrain’s AI studies what users want, how they shop, and what works, building a new personalized layer of intelligence. StrainBrain delivers a more confident cannabis e-commerce experience that results in smarter, more loyal customers and increases average cart size.”
How it works
The OWL interface integrates with all major cannabis industry platforms, and the model is available 24/7, even when budtenders are unavailable.
The “boost” component of OWL allows dispensaries to make customized adjustments to the recommendation engine based on specific parameters such as existing levels of inventory and dispensary-specific sales and marketing campaigns.
Recommendations are delivered to consumers in real-time, based on responses to a few short questions. Those recommendations are then scored to indicate the strength of the match.
StrainBrain draws from real-world buying behavior, consumer choice patterns, and dispensary performance data to deliver highly personalized, non-generic recommendations. It doesn’t just describe products — it understands what people are actually looking for.
Additional new capabilities
- StrainMe: An expert mode that allows users who enjoy a particular strain to quickly discover similar strains that are in stock and available immediately.
- AI-Powered Match Explanations: Provides shoppers with educational insights on why a particular product was recommended.
- Additional Industry Integrations: Expanded support for Dutchie Plus and Jane marketing environments, including RankReallyHigh, Dovetail, and LeafBridge.
About StrainBrain
StrainBrain is an AI-powered technology company providing shoppers with personalized product recommendations. The company’s AI Budtender uses a science-backed algorithm fueled by real consumer data. StrainBrain’s AI recommendation engine can help amplify online engagement in the last mile of the customer journey.
