Emerging Trends from Coast to Coast: Data, Relationships and Resilience for 2025
Last month, Team Vangst connected with cannabis industry professionals on both sides of the country.
Our Chief Business Officer Ryan Rosenfeld showcased Vangst’s vision at Hall of Flowers in Ventura, CA, while Marketing Manager Hannah Duffek built key connections at NECANN in Boston, MA.
After insightful panels and countless conversations, here’s what we’re taking into the year ahead:
Data is king – Brands and retailers are becoming more insightful, and it's evident that data-driven strategies, such as sales tracking systems and artificial intelligence, will power the next wave of growth.
Brands + retailers = the heartbeat – Though products often steal the spotlight, the true driving force is the people behind them—building, scaling, and hustling to make it all happen.
Ancillary services were out in full force – While cutting-edge tools, like pre-roll automation machines, are pushing the industry ahead technologically, it's the people and partnerships behind them creating real, lasting impact in this rapidly evolving space.
Change is the only constant – The cannabis market keeps shifting, and while change is hard, it’s necessary to keep up. It was encouraging to see so many businesses embracing it as it comes.
Hemp-derived is a double-edged sword – “Hemp-derived” is introducing new pathways for some and causing real challenges for others. The impact is impossible to ignore.
The push east is real – Talent and brands are expanding East into emerging markets, but let’s be honest: California remains the crown jewel when it comes to quality cannabis.
Complexity = opportunity – The market is far from simple, but that’s where the opportunity lies. Brands are holding strong to the quality of their products and core values.
Our team was inspired to see the resilience of cannabis related businesses on both sides of the country. At Vangst, we’re proud to support the industry’s workforce behind the scenes—from the legacy markets in California to the fast-growing Eastern front.
Events like Hall of Flowers and NECANN remind us why we’re here: to help build the future of cannabis, one hire at a time.
