Inflation Hits Cannabis Industry as Prices Rise

Aug.09.2022
Inflation Hits Cannabis Industry as Prices Rise
Inflation is impacting the cannabis industry, with one in four retailers reporting plans to raise prices by over 10%.

Although inflation has already disrupted many people's plans for summer off-road trips, the impact of rising prices could soon cause real harm to certain individuals.


So far, marijuana and many related products have largely shed the double-digit growth seen in many foods, from chicken to avocados. An analysis firm even reported that prices for marijuana flowers, edibles, and vape products fell by 16.7%, 11.8%, and 12.4%, respectively, between January 2021 and 2022.


Due to a variety of interconnected reasons, such as lack of available materials and supply chain disruptions, the prices of most things have been steadily and rapidly increasing at a rate unseen in 40 years. Even if the prices of main products have not risen, the increase in packaging material costs has had little effect on any industry.


From June 2021 to June 2022, the Consumer Price Index has increased 9.1%. Additionally, according to a recent report from the cannabis industry and accounting firm GreenGrowth CPAs, the cannabis industry may finally be experiencing inflation. With labor and material costs for producing ready-to-eat cannabis products on the rise, one in four cannabis retailers report that they have already increased or plan to increase prices by 10% or more next year.


According to the report, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cannabis businesses has been relatively limited. Based on last year's data, supply chain and recruitment difficulties were reported as issues affecting almost all industries in 2021, in addition to supply challenges being the most common issue currently impacting operators. The survey examined over 700 companies in states where recreational or medical cannabis use is legal, including startups and large multinational operators. While 70% of operators reported they would attempt to absorb rising costs rather than raise prices, 30% plan to proactively increase prices to prevent losses.


The survey found that there were differing opinions among respondents regarding responsibility for rising inflation, with 40% citing policies of the Biden administration and 30% attributing it to lingering impacts of the Trump administration. Other reasons quoted by operators included supply-chain issues, conflicts with countries like Russia and China, and effects of the oil industry's operations. Nationwide numbers are not entirely reflective as marijuana use and production currently remain illegal at a federal level. However, despite price increases, demand for marijuana has remained strong during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Since the start of quarantine, some online delivery services in California have seen sales increase by 500%.


After two years of crisis and uncertainty following the global pandemic, cannabis financial operators find themselves navigating a range of new, complex situations and business obstacles," the report states. "But it's not all bad news. Many operators have benefited from the surge in demand and are using this new windfall to develop ambitious growth plans.


Statement


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry communication and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is only intended for industry communication and research.


Due to limitations in translation proficiency, the translated article may not fully correspond with the original text. Therefore, the original text should be referred to for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on all domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign affairs positions and statements.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author, and if there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

On-Site Report | CTP Details PMTA Backlog, 180-Day Review Goal and sPMTA Process
On-Site Report | CTP Details PMTA Backlog, 180-Day Review Goal and sPMTA Process
FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products detailed new PMTA review data and process changes at the 2026 FDLI conference. Pending PMTAs fell from about 450,000 at the start of 2025 to 135,000 by September 2026. CTP also discussed its 180-day review goal, current sPMTA pilot, alternate-supplier planning, more than 50,300 pending SE reports, and lessons from the nicotine pouch pilot already being applied to ENDS review.
Regulations
Oct.07
Product | FOGER Introduces Switch Pro 30K Nixodine Pod in U.S. Retail, Bringing 6-MN Related Formulation to High-Capacity Pod Platform
Product | FOGER Introduces Switch Pro 30K Nixodine Pod in U.S. Retail, Bringing 6-MN Related Formulation to High-Capacity Pod Platform
FOGER has introduced the Switch Pro 30K Nixodine Pod in U.S. retail channels, bringing a 6-methylnicotine (6-MN)-related formulation into its reusable Switch Pro 30K pod ecosystem. The product retains the existing reusable dock and magnetic replacement pod architecture, featuring a 19ml prefilled pod, dual-mesh heating and Normal/Boost modes. The Nixodine version is labeled nicotine-free in terms of conventional nicotine but uses a 5% Nixodine-related formulation. The product has appeared in U.S. retail and wholesale channels, with some listings indicating Kentucky-only availability.
Aug.28
Product | BAT Expands VELO Travellers’ Collection With Mexico, Spain and Sweden Summer Edition Nicotine Pouches
Product | BAT Expands VELO Travellers’ Collection With Mexico, Spain and Sweden Summer Edition Nicotine Pouches
British American Tobacco (BAT) Global Travel Retail has expanded the VELO Travellers’ Collection with three new Summer Editions: Mexico, Spain and Sweden. Inspired by destination themes, the new nicotine pouch variants are designed for global travel-retail channels. The launch further strengthens VELO’s positioning as a travel-retail exclusive product collection.
Aug.27
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona's First Things First is pushing for an excise tax equal to 50% of the retail price of vaping products, estimating that the measure could generate about $100 million annually. The agency says its tobacco-tax revenue has fallen 47% from 2008 levels. Arizona has attempted to broaden its nicotine tax base in each of the past two years: a 2025 bill proposed a 50% wholesale-price tax, while a 2026 measure shifted to a 50% retail-price tax covering alternative nicotine products and vapor products. Separately, the state enacted HB 4001 this year to establish a new licensing and sales framework for alternative nicotine products.
Sep.21
U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi Questions FDA Over Planned PMTA Rewrite, Seeks Communications With Altria and Reynolds
U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi Questions FDA Over Planned PMTA Rewrite, Seeks Communications With Altria and Reynolds
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on Oct. 6 questioned the FDA over its plan to reassess and potentially replace the 2021 PMTA regulatory framework, asking the agency to identify provisions it may change or eliminate, state whether current scientific evidentiary standards will be maintained, and disclose communications with Altria, Reynolds and other parties challenging the rule. Krishnamoorthi led a congressional investigation into JUUL and youth vaping in 2019 and has since remained active on e-cigarette regulation and enforcement.
Regulations
Oct.08
JTI Invests ₱2.1 Billion to Upgrade Batangas Manufacturing Hub, Adds First Southeast Asia DIET Facility
JTI Invests ₱2.1 Billion to Upgrade Batangas Manufacturing Hub, Adds First Southeast Asia DIET Facility
JTI Asia Manufacturing Corp. has invested ₱2.1 billion, or about $37 million, in its manufacturing site in Malvar, Batangas, Philippines, to expand tobacco-processing capabilities. About ₱1.9 billion is allocated to JTI's first Dry Ice Expanded Tobacco, or DIET, facility in Southeast Asia, while more than ₱177 million has been spent on expanding its Controlled Atmosphere treatment facility. The Batangas plant supplies the Philippine market and exports to 22 overseas markets, making it one of JTI's key manufacturing hubs in Asia.
Sep.24