Our Weed Projections for 2017

So, 2016.

Pretty wild, huh?

No matter where you stood on the year's events, one thing was hard to ignore: 2016 was a huge year for cannabis in the United States.

By the end of the year, millions of Americans were living in states where adult-use cannabis had become legal, and momentum for reform seemed stronger than ever.

The big question heading into 2017 was simple:

What's next for weed?

More legalization?

More businesses?

More mainstream acceptance?

Let's take a look.

The Giant Blonde Elephant in the Room

If we're talking about cannabis in 2017, we have to address the giant blonde elephant in the room: the 2016 presidential election.

The incoming administration wasn't exactly known for championing cannabis reform, which understandably left many legalization supporters wondering whether momentum might slow down.

On the surface, things looked uncertain.

But if cannabis advocates had learned anything over the previous decade, it was that progress often comes from the state level—not Washington.

After all, federal enthusiasm wasn't exactly overflowing during previous administrations either, yet legalization still expanded dramatically.

So while federal policy remained a question mark, many observers believed the cannabis movement would continue moving forward regardless.

States to Watch

For those hoping to legally enjoy cannabis without a doctor's recommendation, 2017 had the potential to be another important year.

Several states were actively discussing legalization measures, including:

• Vermont
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island
• Delaware

Meanwhile, conversations were beginning to emerge in places that might have surprised some cannabis enthusiasts, including:

• Texas
• Missouri
• Kentucky
• New Mexico

Of course, legislation is never guaranteed.

But these were some of the states attracting the most attention from cannabis advocates and industry watchers.

California's Impact Could Be Massive

If there was one state positioned to reshape the cannabis industry, it was California.

Following the passage of adult-use legalization, many industry experts predicted that Los Angeles would eventually become one of the most influential cannabis markets in the world.

At the time, cities like Denver were often viewed as the epicenter of legal cannabis culture.

But California's size, economy, and influence suggested that the balance could soon shift westward.

And looking back, that prediction wasn't exactly a stretch.

Cannabis Was Going Mainstream

One of the most interesting shifts happening around 2017 wasn't political—it was cultural.

Cannabis was slowly shedding its old stereotypes and becoming a more visible part of mainstream entertainment.

Shows like Broad City and High Maintenance helped normalize cannabis use by portraying it as part of everyday life rather than a punchline or cautionary tale.

As legalization expanded, many expected cannabis to appear more frequently in movies, television, and popular culture.

It wasn't just becoming legal.

It was becoming normal.

The Rise of Craft Cannabis

Another trend gaining momentum was the emergence of what many people began calling craft cannabis.

Much like the craft beer revolution transformed how consumers think about beer, cannabis consumers were becoming increasingly interested in:

• Unique strains
• Small-batch cultivation
• Premium quality
• Brand identity
• Growing methods
• Terpene profiles

For years, cannabis was largely viewed as a commodity.

But as legal markets matured, consumers began treating it more like wine, coffee, or craft beer—something to be explored, appreciated, and discussed.

Better Accessories, Better Experiences

As the cannabis industry evolved, so did the products surrounding it.

Consumers weren't just looking for better flower.

They wanted:

• Better grinders
• Better storage solutions
• Better smoking accessories
• Better designs
• Better experiences

The days of buying everything from a dusty corner shelf at the local head shop were beginning to fade.

New brands were emerging with a focus on quality, craftsmanship, sustainability, and aesthetics.

Needless to say, we were pretty excited about that.

Looking Ahead

At the start of 2017, nobody knew exactly how the year would unfold.

There were plenty of challenges ahead, and federal legalization still felt distant.

But the overall direction seemed clear.

Public support for cannabis was growing.

More states were considering reform.

New businesses were entering the industry.

And cannabis culture was becoming increasingly mainstream.

Call us optimistic, but it felt like the train had already left the station.

The only question was how fast it would move.

And that's something worth lighting up for.