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.

Vuse Alto Adds New U.S. Price Tier as BAT Pushes Deeper Into Mass-Market Vaping
Vuse Alto Adds New U.S. Price Tier as BAT Pushes Deeper Into Mass-Market Vaping
British American Tobacco (BAT) subsidiary Vuse Alto has recently adjusted its price tiers in U.S. convenience store channels, leveraging low-cost device kits and pod promotions to reinforce its positioning in the mid-priced closed-system e-cigarette market.
Jun.17
Product | BAT Launches glo Hyper pro+ in Japan, Upgrading the Hyper Platform With Faster Start and Smart Device Management
Product | BAT Launches glo Hyper pro+ in Japan, Upgrading the Hyper Platform With Faster Start and Smart Device Management
British American Tobacco Japan (BAT Japan) has introduced glo Hyper pro+, an upgraded device within the existing glo Hyper platform. The device adds QuickStart™ rapid heating technology, an EasyView™ display and maintenance notification features to improve daily usability. Launched in Japan on July 13, 2026, glo Hyper pro+ maintains compatibility with existing Hyper-format tobacco sticks, including neo, Lucky Strike and KENT.
Jul.30
Korean component maker ITM Semiconductor says Indonesia unit starts e-cigarette device output as related Q1 revenue rises 55.4%
Korean component maker ITM Semiconductor says Indonesia unit starts e-cigarette device output as related Q1 revenue rises 55.4%
South Korea’s KOSDAQ-listed electronics-component maker ITM Semiconductor said its Indonesia subsidiary has begun full-scale mass production of e-cigarette devices, with first-quarter revenue from the business rising 55.4% year on year to 42.1 billion won, Maeil Business Newspaper reported.
Jul.08
FIFA Bans Vaping in 2026 World Cup Stadiums, Putting Nicotine Rules in Event Compliance Focus
FIFA Bans Vaping in 2026 World Cup Stadiums, Putting Nicotine Rules in Event Compliance Focus
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup stadium rules prohibit smoking, vaping and the use of any tobacco products or electronic smoking devices inside stadiums, including inner and outer perimeters, while electronic smoking devices, tobacco products, lighters and matches are listed as prohibited items, bringing nicotine-product management, venue compliance and cross-border legal differences into focus at a major global sporting event.
Jul.06
Product | PMI Japan Launches SENTIA Passion Fruit Capsule, Expanding the IQOS ILUMA Flavor Portfolio
Product | PMI Japan Launches SENTIA Passion Fruit Capsule, Expanding the IQOS ILUMA Flavor Portfolio
Philip Morris Japan (PM Japan) has introduced SENTIA Passion Fruit Capsule, a new tobacco stick designed for the IQOS ILUMA heated tobacco platform. Featuring a crush-activated capsule, the product combines menthol with passion fruit flavor to provide an additional flavor experience. The product launched in Japan from August 3, 2026, through IQOS official channels, convenience stores and tobacco retailers.
Aug.04
FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
The FDA has authorized four additional on! nicotine pouches, bringing the U.S. total to 30. The decision marks another outcome of the agency’s nicotine pouch review pilot, whose communication and review practices are now being applied more broadly across the category. It also extends Helix’s authorized portfolio from on! PLUS to the earlier on! line. Yet all FDA-authorized nicotine pouches still come from subsidiaries of PMI or Altria, underscoring how concentrated U.S. regulatory access remains.
Aug.05