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I'd like to know the 5 largest marijuana edible companies by sales along with info on their best selling products (awards, % of sales, $ sales, wholesale/retail product, white labeled) years of operation, # of locations, owners and funding, head chemists/chefs/founders of the best edibles
INSIGHT #1
The marijuana edibles market has exploded in the last few years, and according to experts, makes up about half of the $5.4 billion in marijuana and marijuana-based products in the United States in 2015.
INSIGHT #2
The top competitors in the marijuana edibles market in the US include: Dixie Elixirs, Bhang Chocolate Company, Cheeba Chews, and the Growing Kitchen. Three additional companies to watch include: Mirth Provisions, Fairwinds Manufacturing, and Auntie Dolores.
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Hello! It is my pleasure to respond to your query about the top edibles manufacturers in the United States. We’ll begin some basic industry background, then discuss several edible companies that are “transforming the legal weed industry”. Then, we’ll get into the top-selling edibles companies, and we’ll end with a list of the “Top 15 Edibles” (for 2015) from the High Times SoCal Medical Cannabis Cup.
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
According to Inc, “The legalization of marijuana in several states has led to an explosion in so-called edibles, as newer users look for ways to enjoy weed without smoking. In 2014, about 4.8 million edible marijuana products were sold in Colorado, according to the state's department of revenue. The process of making edibles starts at extraction labs, where the nuggets from the cannabis plant (known as "nugs") are trimmed. The leaves, stems, and "tight trim" are then blasted with solvents—either butane, carbon dioxide, or cold water--to produce pure THC hash oil. The oil can be added to almost any food product.”
According to High Times, “Most successful edibles providers are seeking niches, creating low-dose, gluten-free or healthy treats designed for specific demographic groups. Innovative flavors, new ideas and cutting-edge package design are also ways to distinguish oneself on the shelves of a dispensary. Implementing educational campaigns and instructional videos is also a place where responsible edibles businesses can improve the user experience. The best way to grab the consumer’s attention these days is with original infused foods that go way beyond brownies and other conventional baked goods.”
According to ArcView Market Research and Bloomberg, the sales of marijuana-infused edibles made up about half of the $5.4 billion in sales in the US in 2015. According to NBC News, in Colorado, which has had medical marijuana since 2000 and recreational marijuana since 2012, buyers purchased more than 5.8 million THC-infused edibles and concentrates in 2014 (information from the Colorado Department of Revenue Annual Update). Unfortunately, as the industry is so tightly-regulated and controlled, and there are federal laws against sales and use of anything related to marijuana, there is not much published data available on the internet on the financials related to particular products. As laws lessen across states (and especially if any changes occur on the federal level), this data is more likely to be collected and released publicly.
Inc. lists the following five edibles startups as “transforming the legal weed industry”:
• MIRTH PROVISIONS (Founder: Adam Stites): The Washington-based company sells THC-infused sodas and sparkling tonics called “Legal”, with each bottle containing 20-mg of THC oil (which equals two servings).
• FAIRWINDS MANUFACTURING: The Washington-based company sells THC-infused coffee that can be brewed in a Keurig. Their major competitors include Pot-O-Coffee, Ed Rosenthal’s Select Coffee & Tea, and House of Jane.
• AUNTIE DOLORES: The San Francisco-based company sells THC-infused gourmet snacks, including caramel popcorn, cheese biscuits, cocoa cookies, glazed pecans, and salty pretzels. Their selections are all gluten- and sugar-free, as well as vegan.
• DIXIE ELIXIRS: The Denver-based company, which is one of the most successful edible makers in the nation, makes THC-infused candies, mints, sodas, tinctures, and more.
• CHEEBA CHEWS: The Colorado-based company makes THC-infused taffy with mega-doses of 70-mg up to 175-mg.
TOP EDIBLES COMPANIES IN US
I have found the following top US edibles companies, as requested. Please Note: This is not a fully comprehensive list, only four companies at the top of the market in the US. According to AdWeek, there aren’t that many brands on the market, in large part due to the laws governing THC and the transportation of it across state lines. In order to get around regulations, companies are reforming under a brand (like Dixie Brands, for example) so they can get licenses in other states, but that transition has been slow across the industry so far.
• DIXIE ELIXIRS: The privately-held Denver-based company, which is one of the most successful edible makers in the nation (and dominates the market), makes more than 30 THC-infused elixirs, candies, mints, sodas, tinctures, topicals, vapes, and other cannabis edibles. According to DataFox, “Dixie Elixirs and Edibles manufactures seven premium THC-infused product lines: Dixie Elixirs Sparkling Beverages, Dixie Edibles, Dixie Dew Drops (sublingual tinctures), Dixie Scrips, Dixie Prime Connoisseur Concentrates, Dixie Topicals, and Dixie Synergy 1:1 CBD and THC formulated Dew Drops and Scrips.” According to DataFox, the company, which was founded in 2009 by Tripp Keber, earned an undisclosed amount of Series D Funding in May 2014 from Dutchess Capital, and reported revenue last year of $7 million. Their Chief Marketing Officer is listed as Joe Hodas. They have expanded into the following states since joining the market: Colorado, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Rhode Island, Washington, and Canada. In February 2016, they entered into a strategic partnership with Canna Security America (CSA). In business since 2010, according to Entrepreneur, “Dixie Elixirs wants to become the first national marijuana brand”. Additionally, they are launching a CBD product line for pets soon.
• BHANG CHOCOLATE COMPANY: Founded in 2014 in Oakland, California, according to CrunchBase, “Bhang Chocolate is dedicated to crafting the finest gourmet chocolate, from high quality ingredients to ensure the greatest possible medicated edibles in the world.” The company raised $39 million in Venture Round Funding from Mentor Capital Inc in March 2014. Bhang’s CEO is Scott Van Rixel. According to their website, their edibles include: Bhang Chocolate Bars (Five Times Cannabis Cup Champions), THC & CBD Mouthspray (First Place SoCal Cannabis Cup Winner), and CBD-Rich Chewing Gum.
• CHEEBA CHEWS: Founded in 2009 in Colorado, according to PRNewswire, CEO and Founder James Howler says, “Every batch we produce is independently lab tested at three critical stages: the flower, the oil, and the edible, to ensure the staple of our products, the consistency, is maintained throughout this new manufacturing and packaging process." According to their website, they have 11 edible products (that have earned three Cannabis Cup awards in total). Their products include: Chocolate Taffy (Sativa and Indica options), Hybrid Caramel, Pure CBD Chocolate Taffy, and Green Hornet Gummies, which are all gluten-free and peanut-free. Additionally, they took first place in the High Times Cannabis Cup (2011), and a second place finish later in LA, with the 175-mg Deca Dose medicated chocolate taffy, which was the first of its kind on the market. Their products are available in both Colorado and California.
• THE GROWING KITCHEN: According to the LinkedIn Profile, “The Growing Kitchen makes exquisite marijuana-infused products, using whole plants of our own Colorado cannabis. We specialize in edibles, concentrates, and natural medicines for both recreational and medical markets throughout Colorado. We distinguish our products by growing 100% of our own cannabis on our 25-acre Boulder farm. Producing the cannabis for our products allows us to ensure organic best practices, produce consistent genetics, and utilize the whole plant (including cannabis flowers) in our extractions.” Based in Boulder, Colorado, the company was founded in 2009 and fits into the 11 – 50 employee category (with seven employees listed on LinkedIn). Their products include: Super CBD Chill Pills (Blueberry, Heavenly Honey Lemon, Sublime Spearmint), Rookie Cookies, Pro Cookies, Fantastic Brownies, Go-Chi Balls, and Zoom Balls.
1. Reef Jerky (Badfish Extracts)
2. Crème Brulee (Beezle’s Creamery)
3. Cali High Thai’d Ice Cream (Beezle’s Creamery)
4. Pineapple Delight Bites (Lifted Edibles)
5. Glazed Pecans (Auntie Dolores)
6. FourTwen Cookies (Baked Gods)
7. Red Velvet Indica Cake Balls (High Society Cake Balls)
8. Northwest Berry Lemonade (Sensei Sweets)
9. Medicated Gummy Leaf (Marijuana & Munchies)
10. Canapa Pizza Sauce (Summit Health Remedies)
11. Kona Coffee Ice Cream (Cannabis Creamery)
12. Vape Dank (High Chips)
13. Chocolate Chip Cookie Crumble Bar (ChocoLit Cannasseur)
14. Dank Drank (Baked Bros)
15. Peanut Budder and Grape Jam (FlyNHigh Treats)
Additionally, just for fun, I’ve included a link to HealthyHempOil.com that lists the “Top 29 Websites You Need to Know” for Cannabis Edibles.
Thank you again for your question, and I hope this response gives you exactly what you need! Please Ask Wonder again for any other questions you may have!