Industry trends are our forte, and what better place to stay in the know than MJ Unpacked?

From April 9 to 11, at the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Herb sent a few members from the squad to scope out the hottest brands making the biggest moves in the U.S. cannabis industry.

If you’re a B2C business, this one’s for you. While we included a few consumer-facing brands below, we’ve also tied in the best B2B companies ready to help your brand stand out.

Whether you specialize in edibles or vape technology or simply want to find a dispensary you can trust, read on to learn more about the top 6 brands we connected with at MJ Unpacked 2024.

If you’re a brand in the edibles space, you’re in luck. Azuca is here to transform ordinary edibles into something every consumer, new or seasoned, can rely on. Their TiME INFUSION® takes cannabinoids from the cannabis plant and transforms them into fast-acting, taste-neutral psychoactive ingredients that skip the lengthy liver process.

Instead, TiME INFUSION® is water soluble, and since the human body is roughly 60% water, this allows for maximum absorption and bioavailability. But why did Azuca feel this was needed? Not everyone wants to smoke to feel the true, intended, full-spectrum effects of cannabis. And 90% of edibles on the market simply don’t do the plant justice—or they cause couchlock, unpredictable experiences, and paranoia.

TiME INFUSION® means anyone of all ages can enjoy the benefits of cannabis without sacrificing lung health. If your brand is looking to expand its target audience and serve a massive chunk of consumers that often go unheard, look to Azuca and make your edibles the best in the biz.

New Jersey-based North Lake Supply is a pure (and potent) reflection of friendship, community, and quality cannabis cultivation. The team behind the brand has transformed a traditional Dutch greenhouse into a state-of-the-art cannabis haven.

With a 42,000-square-foot facility dedicated to sun-grown harvests, this women-owned and veteran-led company is cultivating a culture. Founders Dan and Alexander, alongside a close-knit team of childhood friends, have created a sanctuary where quality flower and community intertwine seamlessly.

Their mission? To erase stigmas and elevate cannabis connoisseurship through locally-grown, meticulously crafted products. But they wouldn’t be able to do that without you, the community. As pioneers in the New Jersey cannabis scene, North Lake Supply aims to help consumers find something that fits their unique preferences, thanks to their diverse (and delicious) strain selection.

Here, it’s not just quality cannabis. It’s a community. North Lake Supply is merging exceptional cultivation practices with integrity to provide products anyone can rely on.

Sanctuary Medicinals is exactly that: a sanctuary of medicinals that elevate your well-being. Operating on values like knowledge, compassion, and premium quality with shops across New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, Sanctuary Medicinals has become a cornerstone for those seeking high-quality cannabis and a welcoming community experience.

It’s no secret that the market is brimming with competition. How do you know which brands to trust? Sanctuary Medicinals distinguishes itself through one sole commitment: harnessing pharmaceutical-grade quality and exceptional customer service. Here, your wellness matters, and connecting with products (and a community) to help elevate that is effortless.

Don’t even get me started on their full-spectrum products, some of the hottest in the industry. Sanctuary Medicinals is a firm believer in the power of the entourage effect, ensuring your experience is balanced, enjoyable, and offers the effects you desire. Stop by in person or browse online and see how this dispensary is changing the future of wellness.

Don’t get me wrong, the products at Loud Labs are great. And there are various brands to choose from. But that’s not why they’re on our radar. Beyond fan favorites like the Puffco Peak Pro and PAX Vaporizers, Loud Labs offers easy access to products at great prices.

In today’s day and age, consumers are entitled to high-quality products that won’t break the bank. And luckily, Loud Labs agrees. That’s why they’ve volenteered to lower their prices as input costs decrease from state to state, most notably, New Jersey and Colorado.

With a focus on extraction and wholesale, Loud Labs remains committed to elevating brands nationwide with popular offerings at exceptional prices. Soon to be launching their “doinks” (infused flavored blunts), a chocolate line, and hard candy, keep an eye on Loud Labs as they redefine easy access to quality products in 2024 and beyond.

If your brand is looking to harness optimal vaping experiences, look to Coastal Vape Co. This brand specializes in cutting-edge vaporizers ranging from custom 510 carts to batteries and unique pod systems. Their strict quality control process ensures a fail rate below 1%.

Even better, since the brand owns a majority stake in their factory, they get complete control over material sourcing and manufacturing. Here, you’ll find all sorts of devices, but not just any vapes. Engineers and team members at Coastal Vape Co. personally test devices with actual extracts to further research which products go well with certain extracts like distillate, rosin, and resin.

Because of this profound commitment to research and development, Coastal Vape Co. deeply understands vaping technology to truly make a difference, never giving in to the temptation of cheaper, lower-quality imports from overseas.

And the process never stops. They leverage customer feedback to constantly improve products and services across the board, ensuring your brand gets the love and respect it deserves.

Located at 1337 Blackwood Clementon Rd is one of New Jersey’s most trusted shops. HoneyGrove Dispensary prioritizes you, the consumer. They aim to provide exceptional products across a long list of brands (and their own branded products) to help you find your perfect fit.

Their latest interest? Rosin, and helping consumers learn more about it. As one of the ‘cleaner’ and more flavorful extracts on the market, HoneyGrove sees it as an opportunity to help educate consumers about emerging products like rosin to truly harness the benefits of the entire plant.

Beyond education, HoneyGrove aims to make safe, high-quality cannabis products the norm. The brand is a fierce advocate for cannabis cultivation and is pushing for a space where consumers can grow their medicine freely without being incarcerated.

Here, it’s less about profit and more about you, helping all consumers access quality products at fair prices. As HoneyGrove looks ahead to expand with new locations and perhaps even cultivate their own products, trust that this dispensary has everything you need and more.