The U.S. cannabis industry has been growing rapidly since 2018. 

• The industry grew 29.1% from 2018 to 2023, increasing by 5.7% in 2023 alone. For context, the U.S. economy as a whole only grew 2.6% in 2023.
• The cannabis industry is expected to maintain that growth rate, reaching a valuation of $157 billion by 2030.

Rapid growth is exciting, but it also presents its own challenges. New innovations hit quickly. Trends change. Brands in this industry need to stay on the cutting edge to remain competitive.

Let’s review some of the most recent data to figure out where the industry is headed, so you can stay ahead of the game.

Cannabis Industry Insights: Pre-Rolls Lead the Industry

The most exciting segment of the industry in recent years has been pre-rolls. Consumers love the ease and simplicity of the product, and it’s not slowing down any time soon.

According to Headset.io data:

• In 2020, pre-rolls accounted for just over 5% of cannabis industry sales.
• By 2023, that number sky-rocketed to about 13.5%.
• By 2030, projections estimate that pre-rolls will make up 20% of cannabis sales.

In terms of actual dollars spent, that means:

• Consumers spent just over $1 billion on pre-rolls in 2020.
• They spent more than $2.5 billion on pre-rolls in 2023.
• 2030 projections estimate the pre-roll market at $5 billion.

In 2022, pre-rolls were the fastest-growing cannabis segment, with 38% year-over-year (YoY) sales growth. (Edibles grew by 22% YoY, and oils by 19% YoY.)

Within the pre-roll category, both CBD and THC pre-rolls are trending, with CBD pre-rolls growing in popularity for their non-psychoactive benefits, while THC pre-rolls remain the market leader. Blunts are also on the rise, with demand for both tobacco and hemp wraps.

The popularity of pre-rolls is undeniable, and the growth of the product is arguably unstoppable—at least in the foreseeable future. Manufacturers and distributors need to be prioritizing pre-rolls.

Future of the Cannabis Industry: Pre-Roll Automation

Escalating from 13.5% of the industry in 2023, to 20% of the industry by 2030, represents a 48% increase. That means pre-roll manufacturers need to be asking themselves one question: 

Can you increase production to roll 48% more cones in five years? 

To really stay competitive, can you do it in three or four years?

Industry leaders are investing in pre-roll automation to stay ahead of a cannabis industry where pre-rolls rule. The good news is automation isn’t only for big producers. There are options for every size manufacturer.

 

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Benefits of Automation

There are a lot of benefits to automating part or all of your pre-roll production.

• Speed. Production speed is the first concern when trying to meet this kind of industry growth. Some pre-roll automation machines can roll up to 4,000 cones per hour.
• Precision. People make mistakes. Machines don’t. The risk that comes with increasing output is decreasing quality, but not with pre-roll automation.
• Safety. Long shifts of repetitive work can make people tired and/or careless. Pre-roll automation machines improve workplace safety by handling the mundane tasks.
• Creativity. Get your best people off the production floor and into labs and greenhouses where they can develop new strains, design new packaging, and more.
• Profit. A pre-roll machine that can produce thousands of cones per hour pays for itself very quickly. Once the initial investment is recouped, everything else is profit margin.

How Does Pre-Roll Automation Work?

Pre-roll automation machines can automate part of the production process or roll complete cones from start to finish. They can even inspect for quality and weight. 

Different pre-roll automation options serve different needs and budgets:

• Semi automatic pre-roll machines are essentially pre-roll workstations for employees. They automatically weigh, fill, and compact cones for team members to finish.
• Fully automated pre-roll machines, like the JuanaRoll and JuanaOne+, are the most popular option because they accurately and efficiently weigh, fill, compact, tamp, twist and trim pre-rolls.

• Some Pre-roll weight checking machines use electromagnetic force restoration (EMFR) weigh cell technology to meet the most exacting standards.
• Pre-roll visual inspection machines can be added to any automation process as a final inspection of length, depth, angles, cuts, tears, and more.
• End of line pre-roll automation machines are designed to handle perfect joints and pack them into tubes or trays—with or without inserts.

Pre-roll automation machines benefit from the latest technology in robotic automation, giving you flexible options for as much or as little automation as you need. A line of automation machines is expandable as well, so you can start small if needed, and add on to your pre-roll automation later.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can always get in touch for a free consultation. Our experts can talk about your goals, workspace, budget, and more, to design an automation system that works for your business.

Pre-Roll Automation Use Cases

A big reason for the growing popularity of pre-rolls is that they offer consumers simplicity without compromising selection. Different types of pre-rolls include:

• CBD: Some pre-rolls only contain CBD-rich strains. These are great options for people who just want the therapeutic effects of cannabis without the THC.
• Delta 8: These pre-rolls create a calm ‘high,’ that is less enjoyable but not too intense.
• THC-P: THC-P is a recently discovered compound within cannabis. It’s more potent than the familiar Delta 9 THC.
• Blunts: Although much different in size and shape from a standard joint, automation is still available for rolling blunts in either tobacco leaf or hemp wraps.

Pre-roll automation machines are flexible and sensitive to the most minute adjustments in weight, shape, etc. This means a good pre-roll machine can help manufacture any kind of joints or blunts at the speed you need to keep up with this growing industry.

Why Canapa for Pre-Roll Automation?

Canapa Solutions offers the highest quality pre-roll automation machines available on the market. 

As a Paxiom brand, Canapa benefits from more than 30 years of experience in highly sophisticated packaging automation machinery. Many cannabis brands have only been in the industry since 2018, but Canapa draws on 3x as much expertise in innovation, partnerships, and business success.

For example, Canapa Solutions adheres to the highest weighing standards in the industry. Our machines have been rigorously field tested and received the NTEP Certificate of Conformance for Weighing and Measuring Devices.

If you’re in the Las Vegas area, we’d love to meet you for a demo in our Xperience center. If you’re ready to get started, contact us today for a consultation and next steps.