Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, creating a long weekend for lovers to celebrate the day of love. What does that mean for retailers? Traditionally, restaurants and live events would be booked up for Valentine’s Eve, red dresses would be on sale, and Instagram love-bombed with proposal pics from exotic locations. This year likely will not be traditional.
Cut flowers, always a holiday favorite, might see a dip in sales because consumers like to send those deliveries during the week, to work addresses; that way, their sweetheart can show off a little. On a Sunday, no one is at the office, much less during the pandemic (though anything delivered has boomed during COVID-19 lockdowns, especially with social distancing).
But cannabis flower and other cannabis products may offer the perfect solution: An intimate gift that can be enjoyed at home or on a secluded weekend getaway—what could be better than setting the mood with a few high-end indulgent infused items?
Perhaps the ultimate V-Day cannabis experience can be had in Las Vegas, where the world’s largest dispensary and cannabis superstore Planet 13 will be featuring holiday-themed products. Last year’s event featured a variety of Valentine’s Day treats, including Hervé THC-infused macarons and other sweet edibles.
On a local level, a lot of small vendors are hoping Valentine’s Day will send some retail love their direction. It might be a good time to partner with local dispensary-friendly restaurants, bakeries, chocolatiers, florists, or bed-and-breakfasts to contribute to a holiday raffle, with ticket sales benefiting a local food bank, GoFundMe campaign, or nonprofit.
It’s the right time to highlight edibles in an eye-catching, heart-filled display and offer sweetheart specials or a sale. Here’s some items that will make hearts flutter:
22Red High School Sweetheart strain
22Red Cannabis
This strain originates from a beautiful love story between two strains: Cherry Pie Kush and Grateful Breath. The experience starts by delivering waves of elation, followed by an overall calm. Not only does High School Sweetheart promise an incomparable high, its huge array of flavors will leave mouths bursting with flavors of berry, fresh cherry, and an uplifting citrus.
Marketing tip: Put this sweet strain and other love-themed strains on special for Valentine’s weekend.
Wholesale information: [email protected].
Potency: THC 21.31 percent; CBD 0.05 percent.
Locations: Arizona, California, Nevada.
MSRP: $50.
Chalice Farms Chocolate Blasts
Chalice Farms
Chocolates are delicious, but there’s an added level of edible enjoyment with these yummy chocolates from Chalice Farms. The Portland-based cannabis business uses the highest quality ingredients, including extract from its own flower, to infuse these sensual treats. This year, encourage customers to indulge in some sweet, dreamy, romantic chocolate love.
Marketing tip: Studies show, edibles are a Valentine’s Day favorite and have palatable appeal for newbies and non-smokers.
Wholesale information: (503) 384-2141
Key ingredients: Milk chocolate, cookies and cream, and mocha flavors.
Dosage: 50mg THC per package.
Locations: California, Oregon, Nevada.
Greenport Dispensary x Paraluman Flora Higher Love Bouquets
Greenport Dispensary, Paraluman Flora
In a lovely example of collaboration that reaches flower-loving consumers across a wide spectrum, Toronto’s Greenport Dispensary and Paraluman Flora have joined to offer lucky locals the Higher Love Bouquet, from the Not Just for Lovers Collection. The bouquet contains beautiful cut flowers, as well as a quarter ounce of Pink Kush from Pure Sunfarms.
Marketing tip: Partnerships can benefit other local businesses, make for good marketing, and help normalize cannabis in the retail space.
Wholesale information: [email protected].
Key ingredients: Mixed cut flowers arranged with dried cannabis flower.
Dosage: Quarter ounce, dried cannabis weight.
Locations: Toronto, Canada.
MSRP: $124.90 CAD.
The Green Solution Tulip-shaped Pre-Rolls
The Green Solution Dispensaries
“The 2.5g tulip-shaped pre-roll is the perfect flower to give to someone special. Also known as the “reverse joint,” the tulip begins with a tiny cherry that continues to grow and grow, creating larger and larger bong-like hits as it burns from the attached straw.” Enclosed in discreet packaging.
Marketing tip: Themed, novelty items lead to solid holiday and impulse sales for customers who want something unique.
Wholesale information: (303) 990-9723
Dosage: 2.5 grams dried flower.
Locations: Colorado.
MSRP: $25.95.
High Life Farms Royal Chocolate Bar
High Life Farms
Two words: Red velvet. “With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we created something special for the holiday that would bring consumers a little piece of comfort they can share with their loved ones during these trying times,” High Life Farms Co-founder Ben Celani said. Chocolate also is said to enhance the effects of cannabis and arousal. Available for retail in Michigan only.
Marketing tip: Studies say cannabis consumers have 20 percent more sex than non-consumers. Let your customers know in Valentine’s Day social posts.
Wholesale information: https://highlifefarms.com/michigan.
Key ingredients: Artisan chocolate created onsite.
Dosage: 100mg THC per bar, 5mg per serving.
Locations: Michigan.
Raw Garden Strawberry Rosé Refined Live Resin Diamonds
Raw Garden
Available for a limited time only: In this signature Valentine’s Day strain, Strawberry Rosé Refined Live Resin Diamonds contain varietal-specific terpenes and THCa crystallines for the ultimate dabbing experience, with hints of strawberries, some citrus, and soft notes of rose. Organically based and Clean Green-certified farming techniques used in production, from proprietary strains.
Marketing tip: For connoisseurs and casual consumers alike, concentrates make a great suggestion for special occasion upsells.
Wholesale information: [email protected].
Key ingredients: Parent Strains of Rosé, Strawberry Fields, and Skystomper.
Potency: THC 86.18 percent.
Locations: California.
MSRP: $60 per gram.
Rose Delights x Aster Farms Edibles Collab
Aster Farms, Rose Delights
Los Angeles-based edibles manufacturer Rose Delights partnered with NorCal sustainable cannabis company Aster Farms to create these Turkish Delight-style sweet edibles, infused with rosin from whole flower. Chef Virgilio Martinez‘s Autumn Bright Nectarine with Juniper Berry gourmet candy recipe is blended with Aster Farms OG Flower (indica dominant) and Blood Orange (sativa dominant) rosins.
Marketing tip: For the customer who craves an exotic, unique, sweet edible that isn’t chocolate.
Wholesale information: Instagram.com/asterfarms/.
Key ingredients: Nectarines, juniper berry, water, cane sugar, cannabis flower rosin.
Dosage: 100mg THC per package, 5mg per serving.
Locations: California.
MSRP: $35.
