The Broccoli Report
Monday, June 26, 2023
Time to read: About 5 minutes. Contains 1,009 words.
Good Morning!
Thank you to all who have taken a moment or two to complete the reader survey! I welcome more entries—both from free and paid subscribers. The answers so far are opening my eyes to numerous ways I can adjust this newsletter to be more beneficial to all of you.
One of those observations is that the audio version of the newsletter isn’t much of a hit, hence the absence of a recorded version of Friday’s trend report and today’s news roundup. Message received. 😅
However, I’m stoked to see there is an interest in recorded, unedited interviews with entrepreneurs and experts in the scene. The first of those will drop this Friday! Paid subscribers can look forward to a candid, cards-on-the-table chat with Ariel Zimman, founder of Stonedware Co. ceramic accessories, who announced she would be shutting down the company in May. Our conversation digs into her journey as an artist-turned-business owner, how she reached this decision, how she feels about closing the chapter, and her advice to current and aspiring weed-adjacent entrepreneurs.
I’m building out a dynamic schedule of those chats to cover a range of challenges and perspectives in the space—excited to share more of this kind of convo.
You can still submit your answers to the surveys, and you can still send in Lonely Hearts posts! Any and all interested brands and freelancers have until EOD Monday, July 10, to email their brief descriptions of dream business connections to yoshikolauren@gmail.com. Please include “Lonely Hearts” in the subject line.
Paid subscribers to The Broccoli Report receive:
A monthly deep dive into a trend or entrepreneurial challenge.
Additional content throughout the month like candid podcasts with experienced experts in cannabis.
Access to every post in the Broccoli Report’s archive, including which equity efforts are actually working, why there is only one true luxury brand in cannabis, takeaways from writing a book about 🍃-centric destinations in 16 states, and more.
Lauren’s most sincere appreciation for supporting independent journalism and her ability to do this work.
One-Hitters: Cannabis News at a Glance
The bad news: A new report has found that only 24.4% of U.S. cannabis businesses are profitable. Not much to sugarcoat there, and no big surprise, in light of the compounding headlines about many brands chasing overdue payments (especially in California).
However, there’s some good news, too: For the first time since the dip began in late 2021, flower prices in Colorado are up. Only slightly, but up. The retail price for a pound hit a historic low of $649 in April 2023 and then rose to $703 by June. The increase follows the typical trend we saw pre-COVID-19 pandemic of a summertime jump as stores run low ahead of a fall harvest season. I won’t count any chickens before they hatch, but that feels like seeing a possible light at the end of the sales slump tunnel.
Of all the activations and refreshments offered at the various cannabis events I've attended, there's one simple element I wish I saw more often: a coffee cart. Good coffee from good beans, no infusions. A local roaster sold ice coffees at a summertime weed thing in Portland, OR, several years back, and I found it such a perfect, uplifting complement to an afternoon sampling potent product. So you can imagine my degree of FOMO seeing a recent coffee and cannabis pairing event hosted by Landrace Origins in Oakland, CA. Founded by activist Amber Senter, the brand sells thoughtfully sourced flower alongside thoughtfully sourced, uninfused coffee grounds, and fortunately, I believe the High on Flavor event will be a regular thing.
Has anyone else noticed a resurgence of cigarettes on TV? One of the least believable things happening in HBO’s preposterous series, The Idol, is a Gen Z popstar chainsmoking Virginia Slims. I don’t buy it, but I do think Big Tobacco is paying for it.
I’m equally bummed to miss out on a hell of a culinary experience in Tulum, Mexico, next week when Mennlay Aggrey will help craft a 9-course infused menu showcasing African dishes from Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, Ghana, and beyond for Highly Catered.
I am in awe of all who navigate the challenges of motherhood with care, not the least of which is tackling the cannabis conversation with the right balance of honesty and caution. A colleague pointed me to this interesting post inviting parents to discuss when and how they approach that juncture in their relationship with their children, and plenty of teachers and high school counselors chimed in as well. It’s a fascinating, concerning, and insightful read (especially once you get to the comment section).
This gooey-themed runway is giving 7/10 vibes.
AI-generated images have brought us fantasy crystal cat beds and Studio Ghibli-inspired cafes. Where are the bonkers bong concepts? The next level, smoke-containing veils of my dreams that capture all the fragrant tendrils that don’t make it into my sploof? My DMs are open to any whimsical finds.
High Finds: Lifestyle Goods I Like
Another Room is having a yard sale of past collabs and one-off runs, including chapstick, tees, and the most stoned flip-flops I’ve ever seen. Take a look for any summer supplies before they’re out of stock for good.
Speaking of summer, I just recently discovered Stone Road’s delightful Blooming Dahlia beach towel. Pure Beauty and Sackville & Co. have done beach towels over the years as well—another fantastic example of a lifestyle good for any weed-minded brand, IMO.
I love to see all the queer founders wave their rainbow flags in their own ways this month, from Drew Martin’s high fashion, Shake Shack-fueled fête and Tempo’s six-flavor, rainbow-hued Pride Pack of savory crackers to Tokeativity’s first NYC social to kick-off Pride.
A fact about me: I cannot start my day without an egg breakfast. Any which way—I love ‘em all, and I’m very pleased to report that we are reaching a point in themed smoking accessories where there are almost as many options for egg-inspired ashtrays. Fried. Hard-boiled. Poached (Close enough).
Between the life-giving footage of Beyonce’s Rennaissance World Tour filling feeds, the fact that this glass disco ball bong sold out within days, and the internet’s reaction to Amal Clooney’s recent sequin look, I’d say the disco revival is going strong for the rest of the summer.
Love to love y’all,
Lauren Yoshiko