Arek Dvornechcuck
Branding Expert
I'm a branding expert and graphic designer based in NY. I specialize in the development of brands: brand strategy, identity & web design. Need help with your project?—Get in touch
I'm a branding expert and graphic designer based in NY. I specialize in the development of brands: brand strategy, identity & web design. Need help with your project?—Get in touch
For years, cannabis businesses never felt the need to have professional branding.
Marijuana’s default logo has always been the green cannabis leaf.
Recently things have changed and design of a cannabis business is as important as of design of any other type of business.
Cannabis leaf has always bean a default marijuana logo:
In this article I will showcase some of the most beautiful cannabis branding and packaging designs.
The booming marijuana industry means a high demand for branding of cannabis-related businesses.
Basically half of the USA legalized marijuana for medical and some for recreational use.
Recently also neighboring Canada legalized cannabis for recreational use and become second nation in the World (after Uruguay) to make smoking pot totally legal for anyone.
Top 10 Cannabis Branding Designs:
Whether you want to get into cannabis business as an investor or you’re a designer conducting some research into cannabis logos – I got some good news for you:
I’ve put together a selection of 10 best cannabis branding examples for your inspiration.
Marijuana Business Daily estimates that U.S. retail sales of legal cannabis products totaled $6.1 billion in 2017 and could rise to $13.7 billion by 2021.
Various marijuana-based markets keep emerging, such as those within the healthcare and leisure markets.
No matter what business you’re starting, you should organize your thoughts and develop a brand strategy before designing anything for your brand.
There are many different businesses you can create around weed and like any other business, they need to have a firm grasp of their branding.
Types of cannabis businesses:
Part of the effort is focused on making cannabis products more respectable and acceptable, and moving on from the traditional stoner image.
Design agencies and freelancers are being called in to create brand identities for all manner of cannabis products.
Branding a marijuana-based business is tricky, especially since you also need to overcome the social stigma that is associated with the product.
Leafs by Snoop – the brand identity and packaging for Snoop Dogg’s cannabis product line was designed by well-known design agency – Pentagram.
It is probably the top marijuana brand in the US.
The distinctive leaf-based logo and luxurious weed boxes project high-end look & feel.
Leafs by Snoop is probably the best example of a beautiful branding design in cannabis industry.
The mark is not only visually appealing, but also the packaging is very attractive and high-end.
Marley Natural is more than just its selection of four branded herbs – it’s a whole lifestyle brand, with a line of hemp seed body care products and a collection of high-end black walnut smoking accessories.
The name as well as the lion symbol play off the most famous weed aficionado – Bob Marley.
Heckler Associates – a Seattle based agency created this eye-catching logo and packaging design.
Kiva Confections grew out of need to create an edible cannabis product that was potent, consistent, and enjoyable to consume.
By teaming up with expert chocolatiers and cultivators, they’ve created award-winning range of cannabis chocolates.
The vintage style perfectly captures company’s sophisticated connoisseur angle.
Its branding was done by San Francisco agency MINE and reflects the company’s sophisticated connoisseur angle.
Wana Edibles believes that the responsible use of cannabis is a life enhancing experience and that the use of Wana’s products is the best way to enjoy cannabis.
The clinical look, no-nonsense design gives the brand a definite air of respectability.
Wana’s brand is built around the tagline ‘Enhance your life’ and based on professionalism, consistency, quality, and innovation.
The Goodship Company brings to the cannabis market industry’s most delectable baked goods, chocolates, and confection.
The company focuses on products that combine both a clean, soothing, uplifting high with a magically delicious taste.
The contemporary logo and illustrations of ships give this brand eye-catching visual appeal.
The Goodship sells quality cannabis-infused goods to more than 100 recreational marijuana stores across Washington state.
Apothecanna products are formulated with natural, nutritious ingredients to help balance the body and the senses.
Its mission is to spread the wisdom of traditional plant medicine.
The clean, modern, spa-like look and feel for their skin care line projects a professional look.
The products are named based on their effect and along with color coding each distinct line helps the consumer easily identify which product is right for them at any given time.
Willie’s Reserve is a brand launched by Willie Nelson, a musician known for his love of marijuana.
This line of marijuana products celebrate Willie’s love of cannabis and the culture surrounding it.
The brand identity captures a blend of Willie’s outlaw reputation, his belief in fun and freedom.
When Willie decided to launch his own cannabis range he turned to Santa Monica agency, Rival.
Seven Point, the outstanding high-end Chicago based state-approved medical cannabis dispensary.
Seven Point provides premium individual consultation and a well-planned menu of medical cannabis varieties.
The slimmed sans serif type projects simple yet elegant look & feel.
The name Seven Point, which relates to the seven characteristic leafs of the marijuana flower, was La Tortillería´s cue for building the entire brand identity.
Level Blends is a California cannabis brand that provides pesticide, solvent, and additive free products.
All labels are printed on speckled Mohawk stock and feature pops of neon to reflect both the scientific and organic quality of the products.
There is a different color for each cannabis strain profile.
Users can easily identify the type of cannabis and tailor their experience better to fit their individual needs.
Medihuanna is not a consumer brand like all of the above, but rather a B2B company, a medicinal marijuana education provider based in Sydney/Australia.
I created the new logo, brand identity and website for Medihuanna (see the project here) and my client found me through this article.
The logo is just a simple workmark with a distinctive leaf petal above.
The leaf petal also unfold in animation, bringing the logo to live.
So if you're looking for a designer for you cannabis business, look no further!—Just shot me an email.
Most marijuana logos have some sort of variation of the green cannabis leaf. It’s an immediately identifiable visual symbol cannabis brands tend to go for.
However, the marijuana industry has an image problem – there’s to many logos that use the omnipresent marijuana symbol – the 5 (or 7) point cannabis leaf.
Just check these “weed logos” below.
While this is the most recognizable icon of marijuana, business owners need to set themselves apart from their competitors.
Using leaf for cannabis branding is like making each barber shop look the same – red and white stripes.
In order to do this, they have to find a unique and creative logo that is different from their competitors but still recognizable and relatable to their target audience.
The marijuana leaf is green and has 7 points, but that does not mean that all the logos should look alike.
A lot of marijuana growers are coming out of the woodwork and making a legitimate business out of the cannabis growing process.
Many investors invest in cannabis-related businesses.
Cannabis company logos need to be something different than another representation of cannabis leaf. Especially when we’re dealing with a CBD company.
Sooner or later, they will have to hire a designer to create professional brand identity system.
Why? because the backbone of any successful business is its strategy and design.
The most important thing is that cannabis branding design must be able to convey and match the business’ desired perception.
Here’s the deal:
Your cannabis branding design must reflect the company’s mission and vision.
An image of a medical marijuana brand might present a totally different look than the one for recreational use.
As with any other brand identity system, first you must understand what makes a good logo and what is the logo design process in order to design a brand identity that works.
In my opinion, the marijuana branding industry needs to move beyond just the basic leaf when it comes to branding.
If you want to make your business stand out, you need to create an image that differentiates you from your competitors.
In order to answer these questions, you need to run a brand strategy workshop first, before you even think about doing any design work, whether yourself or by hiring a designer.
I hope you got inspired by my list of 9 best cannabis branding designs.
Are you looking to hire a designer for your cannabis brand?—Just shoot me an email.
