Custom cones sets new standard for pre-rolls

Pre-rolls, joints, doobies—whatever you call them, they have become driving forces of the cannabis market. Convenient and ready to go, who can turn down a good pre-roll?

That’s why Custom Cones USA has grown into an integral leader within the cannabis world and is a cohesive resource for cannabis manufacturers.

A hub for all things pre-rolls, Custom Cones USA provides customized branded pre-roll cones, wholesale bulk pre-roll packaging supplies, and even customized pre-roll machines.

CEO and co-founder, Harrison Bard, has become a leading expert within the pre-roll sector of the cannabis industry.

When it comes to pre-rolls, there are a variety of categories from which to choose. In young cannabis markets, basic flower pre-rolls are traditional leaders within cannabis sales. These pre-rolls may not be lauded for their quality in bud, but rather their efficiency in price.

However, as the industry has expanded, so has the quality of flower used. These are referred to as connoisseur pre-rolls: pre-rolls with an elevated quality, either by using top-shelf flower, infusing the product with concentrate, or kief.

Bard co-founded Custom Cones USA in 2017 at a point when pre-rolls were a very small sector of the cannabis market. Yet, he was quick to sort through the possibilities of providing manufacturers with the tools to create a unique and high-quality pre-roll; customizable to the preferred smoking experience.

“When we first were doing pre-rolls, a lot of companies treated it as an afterthought,” Bard said.

“It was a way for them to dispose of their shake and trim, and now it’s quite the opposite. A lot of companies are really proud of their pre-rolls. Some companies only make pre-rolls. Pre-rolls are a lot of companies’ bestsellers, the quality has gone up a ton, where they’re just making them more and more potent by infusing them with different concentrates.”

Per data gathered by Custom Cones USA, pre-rolls are the third-most popular product within the Arizona cannabis market, following vapes and flower. But Bard forecasts an increase in a desire for pre-rolls among consumers, especially infused ones, driven by improvements in quality and prices.

“When we first started, pre-rolls were not a major category within the cannabis industry,” Bard explained.

“But now, pre-rolls are the third biggest category, and typically make up 12% of all cannabis sales in any given state.”

In fact, out of the top 200 pre-roll products sold in Arizona, 122 are infused. According to Bard, as the quality and manufacturing machines continue to improve, higher quality pre-rolls will be available at a lower price point. Decreases in prices are common occurrences in mature cannabis markets, and is a trend that will most likely continue.

As for the future, Bard predicted that brands will shift toward an overall focus in quality of products overall.

“It’s just too easy and too convenient to buy a pack of pre-rolls,” Bard said.

“And once you’re confident that the quality is going to be good, you have no qualms about it. I think, you know, the average consumer, and especially the pre-roll consumer, is now more confident in the quality. Especially now that there’s infused pre-rolls, and they see the potency is better. Now I think the next biggest hurdle and the next future trend is optimizing for freshness.”

There’s much ahead in the world of pre-rolls, and Bard is committed to Custom Cones USA’s role as a key resource within the cannabis industry, taking pride in its compliance and knowledge of the industry. Custom Cones USA follows a strict testing process to ensure customers that all products are free of heavy metals, pesticides and microbials.

Bard also understands the ever-changing nature of the cannabis industry, and understands the importance of constant research. Whether that involves conducting different tests, following the latest news, or speaking with members of the cannabis industry, Custom Cones USA’s passion for elevating the cannabis industry is palpable.

This article appears in Aug 31 – Sep 6, 2023.