2024 Trends in Cannabis

There’s a lot happening across the cannabis industry in 2024. Some brands are focusing on new and exciting flavours, while others are packaging products for easier sharing on social occasions. Here’s a roundup of the trends to look out for in the coming year.

Innovative & Gourmet Flavours

Cannabis and serious flavour go hand in hand. That’s why cannabis brands are working hard to cater to your sense of taste.

“We’re seeing a demand for more mature flavours,” says Jen Meyers, CEO of Manna. “Our aim is to create simple edibles that complement cannabis instead of trying to mask it.”

Infused extracts let you put a little something extra in your favourite recipes. In the summer, Meyers says, the trend is to add cannabis extracts to fruit-forward beverages. Colder months see a switch to infused hot beverages and baked goods.

“For inspiration, we just look out the front door,” she says. “Maple and cannabis are both classic Canadian plants, so we combined the two in our newest product — THC Maple Sugar. It just made sense.”

Shop the trend

Manna | THC Maple Sugar
Manna’s THC Maple Sugar is full-spectrum and highlights two classic Canadian plants in a timeless flavour pairing. Add this infused sugar to any beverage or use it as an innovative ingredient. Each sachet contains 10 mg of THC.

Farm and Florist | Dynamic Duos — Trattoria
Each Dynamic Duo pack includes a bottle of Infused Truffle Oil and a bottle of Infused Truffle Hot Sauce containing 5 mg of THC in each bottle.

AstroNutz | Whoopty Bleu Cheese Krisps
These combine the bold and tangy taste of blue cheese with the spicy kick of hot wings to create a satisfying snack. The blue cheese flavour is rich and savoury, with just the right amount of tanginess.

Majoun | Desert Rose
Experience the delicious and aromatic flavours of the Middle East. Hand-crafted in small batches, Majoun’s Desert Rose is a modern twist on the original edible. Made with high-quality ingredients, including dates, nuts, cardamom and rose.

Fly North | Sour Thimbleberry Soft Chews
Infused with the flavour of natural thimbleberry (like a cross between raspberry and blackberry) and 10 mg of THC distillate, Fly North soft chews are crafted with high-quality ingredients for a sweet treat with a touch of sour.

Homegrown Products

You know the benefits of shopping locally: putting more money into your community, getting fresher ingredients and making an eco-conscious choice along the way. Plus, local producers are more likely to respond to local trends. It’s as true of cannabis as it is of any other industry.

Lucky for us, Ontario is home to many innovative growers. The province is trending toward the top of the market, as some of our most in-demand strains are grown right here.

Keep your eye on local growers to discover craft products, interesting strains and even products grown outdoors.

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True Fire | 33 Splitter
A potent strain whose lineage traces back to some of the best phenotypes: Gelato 33 crossed with Atom Splitter. It produces flower that not only has an amazing flavour profile but is also potent with THC.

Carmel | Animal Face
Animal Face is an ultra-potent and flavourful sativa-dominant hybrid created by crossing the Face Off OG clone and Animal Mints male. This version of Animal Face was selected out of 100 different phenotypes, for its high potency and terpene profile as well as its unique lemon and cake flavours.

Celebrity | Raptors Rntz
Raptors Rntz is a potent indica-dominant strain that pairs Animal Mints #3 with Rntz. Raptors Rntz has a distinct terpene profile that delivers an earthy, sweet taste and aroma with a gas undertone.

The Loud Plug | Benny Blunto Pre-Roll
Wrapped in a chamomile tea leaf, this blunt is packed with Venom OG flower — a potent indica. The taste? Smooth, creamy richness like a velvety cocoa, and when it meets Venom OG, it brings that peppery, skunky spice to life.

CanWe | TF Pink Kush
TF Pink Kush has a sweet, sour and earthy profile. CanWe is Ontario-grown in an indoor hydroponics setup fed by a deep freshwater source.

Balanced Products

The effects of cannabis are highly individual, though it’s understood that each cannabinoid plays a different role. THC is psychoactive, while CBD is considered non-intoxicating.

Balanced products have equal amounts of THC and CBD and are growing in popularity. The “entourage effect theory” suggests that THC interacting with CBD changes the experience, the cannabinoids and terpenes working together to enhance or produce unique effects.

Many brands that already offer popular balanced products are exploring adding other cannabinoids to the mix.

“We’re really excited about novel cannabinoids like CBG and CBN,” says a representative from Fly North. “We see a lot of potential to create unique experiences and expand on what’s possible with cannabis.” 

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Wildlife Cannabis Co. | Golden Banana Balanced 1:1
This classic balanced cultivar has a strong citrus orange aroma with a skunky undertone.

Thinker | On (CBD Skunk Haze) + Off (Organic Critical Cure) Light
Enjoy a pre-roll pack of balanced strains, including CBD Skunk Haze and CBD Critical Cure. Thinker pre-rolls are thoughtfully made using craft-quality flower and are hand-finished in classic cones for an even and consistent burn from tip to filter.

San Rafael ’71 | Moon Berry
With an even 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD, Moon Berry is perfect for those seeking a full-flavour experience with more moderate THC and balanced CBD levels. This hybrid strain’s terpene profile features pleasing aroma notes of berries, cream and lemon coming off stunning, frosty green flowers.

Simply Bare | BC Organic Harlequin Pre-Roll
This balanced sativa-leaning 1:1 cultivar is a cross of Colombian Gold x Thai Landrace. It boasts aromas of musky earth with hints of mango.

Green Monke | Tropical Citrus
This beverage is bursting with pineapple, grapefruit and yuzu notes and contains 20 mg of CBD and 10 mg of THC — the first 2:1 CBD to THC drink available in Ontario. It has a quick onset, a high dose of THC and a double dose of CBD. Best served chilled with a slice of lime.

Big Terpenes

There’s a lot more to cannabis than just cannabinoids.

Consider terpenes. Not only do they give the plant its signature aromas, but some research also suggests they may also interact with the plant’s cannabinoids to alter the overall effect. Brands continue to experiment to see how terpenes can make for a more enjoyable experience.

Terpenes are common in nature, with numerous variations found in thousands of different plants. Here are five of the most popular cannabis terpenes.

Myrcene
Found in: mangoes, hops, thyme, lemongrass, cloves and almost all cannabis strains
Aromas: earthy, fruity, musky

Pinene
Found in: coniferous trees such as fir, pine and spruce
Aromas: strong pine, rosemary

Limonene
Found in: citrus fruits (including oranges, lemons, mandarins, limes and grapefruit), juniper
Aromas: lemon, lime

Linalool
Found in: mint, cinnamon and as the dominant component of lavender
Aromas: floral, spicy, woody

Beta-caryophyllene
Found in: black pepper, cloves, balsam
Aromas: peppery spice, woody

Terpenes can be added to cannabis products, or they can occur naturally. Look for terms like “full-spectrum” on the packaging, which indicate the products retain the plant’s full terpene profile.

Growers are also learning to control the intensity and character of their cultivars’ skunkiness. Shoppers can choose strains with milder aromas or pick ones that turn it up to 11. Expect to see more options and customizability as the science of terpenes develops.

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Greybeard | SLK Terp Slush Live Resin
Greybeard Terp Slush Live Resin is an elevated version of the ever-popular HTFSE (high-terpene full-spectrum extract), carefully made from cannabis grown outdoors.

Boxhot Stubbies | Peach OG Infused Blunts
These blunts are injection-infused with Boxhot’s popular THC distillate and the classic Peach OG botanical-terpene blend. They boast a glazed peach flavour with a fruity aroma, complemented by a complex profile of earthy undertones.

Tribal | Power Sherb Full Spectrum Extract
The gasoline flavour and high-octane horsepower are noticeably intense in this powerful indica strain. Power Sherb live full-spectrum extract is a dab that delivers a true-to-cultivar experience from inhale to exhale.

Thrifty | Magic Melon Liquid Live Resin 510 Thread Cartridge
Magic Melon Liquid Live Resin carts contain a full-spectrum extract that highlights the dominant and delicious melon profile of this strain and its citrus floral aroma, which can only be found in a live resin.

Jane and Mary | Full Blue Bubble Hash Infused Pre-Roll
This milled-flower pre-roll is infused with solventless bubble hash and blueberry botanical terpenes, giving it an impressive terpene profile and a blueberry smoke with bubble hash throughout the cone.

Discovery Packs

There is so much to explore in cannabis that even experienced consumers can feel a little overwhelmed. So many strains, so little time!

To let you taste-test and sample their offerings, Licensed Producers have started curating discovery packs. These multi-packs feature a number of pre-rolls in a variety of strains.

“Access and experimentation are key to the cannabis experience,” says Steven Conville, founder and CEO of Kronic Relief. “Our discovery packs help people explore different cultivars. We want them to find their favourites and really develop an appreciation of the experience.”

Even after finding your cannabis of choice, you may find a discovery pack that lets you dig a little deeper.

“Canada is a Pink Kush–loving country,” says Conville. “Our discovery pack includes some of the top variants that give a kind of tour through Pink Kush.” Kronic Relief plans to regularly update its packs to give consumers more opportunities to explore, including an upcoming assortment of sativa strains.

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Redecan | Royal Collection Redees Pre-Roll (King Pack)
Each Redecan King Pack contains 70 Redees, now available in a mixed Redees variety pack containing well-known Redecan cultivars.

Edison Cannabis Co | Limelight + Cobra Milk Combo Pack Pre-Roll
Sour and spicy combine in this latest Edison pinners combo pack: five sativa-dominant Limelight pre-rolls — known for their big lime-forward sour and diesel aromas — paired with five hybrid Cobra Milk pre-rolls, bred by Tiki Madman and featuring a blend of earthy, savoury and spicy notes.

General Admission | Social Sampler Pack
A multi-pack of vape carts for when you just can’t make up your mind! THC distillate is infused with botanical terpenes that complement the natural aromas of the strain selection.

Stewart Farms | Bath Bomb Triple Pack: Citrus Farmer/Double Dream/Kaya’s
Soak in the moment with this trio of infused bath bombs. Enjoy scents of citrus, notes of pure lavender, chamomile and frankincense, or a bold coffee aroma.

Handy Dandies | Handy Trifecta Pack Pre-Roll
This carefully crafted high-THC trio features a trifecta of Blueberry Sinmint, Sinmint CKS and Banana Petrol single-strain pre-rolls. Hand-trimmed, hang-dried and expertly crowned in Northern Ontario.

Kronic | Triple Pink Variety Pack Pre-Roll
A curated trio of premium pink strains, this selection showcases legendary Pink Kush, exquisite Pink Cookies and captivating Pink Pantah. Each pre-roll offers its own unique journey into the world of Kronic Pink Kush, a sensory cannabis experience that stands in a class of its own.

Glenn’s | Multi Flavour Pop Pack
Discover the timeless taste of Cherry Cola, Root Beer Float, Orange Cream Soda and Grape Cream Soda, expertly crafted to bring back nostalgic memories.