Cannabis 2.0 products are proving popular in the Okanagan

It takes less than 24 hours for cannabis gummies to sell out at Spiritleaf in Vernon.

Green Gaia in the South Okanagan and the Lake Country Starbuds are both seeing similar trends, as well as massive demand for new discreet and potent vape cartridges.

Cannabis 2.0 products are proving popular in the Okanagan — albeit, in short supply.

At Spiritleaf in Vernon, Sarah Ballantyne says her store has been burning through new products.

“With gummies, I can’t keep them in stock,” she says. “I get them on Thursday and they’re sold out by Friday afternoon. It’s always the first to go.”

Retail stores are limited to buying one to three cases of each item (depending on how fast they are to purchase them from the provincial distribution channel).

Ballantyne says chocolate sales are doing really well, especially now that there are more varieties. 

Recently, the first set of teas arrived; still, customers are asking every day about the availability of other cannabis beverages.

“Word got out there that they’re going to be so new and so different – and faster acting,” says the Spiritleaf franchise owner. “Everyone is really curious to try them.”

Vape fear now a mist

With the spate of lung illnesses linked by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) to black market products, new legally approved vape cartridges are flying off the shelves.

“I was pleasantly surprised at how well those are doing,” she says. “They’re safe to use. They’re all Health Canada approved.”

The trends are similar throughout the Valley.

Green Gaia, which has locations in Summerland and Penticton, says their Cannabis 2.0 market is "massive."

“We can’t keep up with stock!” says co-owner Katerina Bakalos.

She says the new vape products are very popular, particularly Kolab-brand carts.

Demand is also high for Aurora Oasis Gummies, as well as Tweed and Tokyo Drift chocolates. 

At Starbuds in Lake Country, co-owner Gavin Meehan says customers are very interested in vape cartridges.

“We find people are loving them,” he says. “We have 10 different ones.”

Blue Dream was their recent bestseller. Others that are selling well include: White Widow, Lemon Riot, and Northern Lights.

Meehan has seen gummies sell out quickly and a steady demand for sea salt and caramel flavoured chocolates. 

BLK MKT review

I had a chance to try Wedding Crasher from BLK MKT.

I wanted to see what the hype was about after the company drew quite a bit of attention with its controversial tagline.

Purchased from one of my favourite local retail stores, it was dated Jan. 4, 2020 — the most recently packaged flower I’ve gotten yet. What I’d hoped would be sticky and dank, was disappointingly dry.

Still, it made up for that shortfall with its sweet scent and potent effect.

Four neatly trimmed buds tumbled out of the small, hefty container. It certainly presents as a high-quality product.

The taste is deliciously sweet and herbal when vaped, and the 21.5% THC Indica-dominant hybrid has a mellow effect on me. 

It’s not the cheapest weed on the market at over $50 an eighth – but if you’re looking to treat yourself, it’s in the field with Whistler Cannabis Co. 

Finally…

The first provincial government cannabis store in the Okanagan opened its doors this morning in Penticton.

BC Cannabis Stores also has locations planned for Kelowna, West Kelowna and Vernon.

The Penticton store will employ up to 15 people.

Email questions or tips to [email protected]. 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.