Kusch Cannabis: A journey rooted in quality and adventure
Kusch Cannabis, a brand developed by Teal Labs, represents a commitment to quality, environmental sustainability, and accessibility in the cannabis market. With its origins in Colorado and operations in Missouri, Kusch aims to deliver high-quality, cost-conscious cannabis products that resonate with consumers who value both product excellence and a connection to nature.
“Like everything we do at Teal Labs, quality and an environment-friendly approach are two driving forces behind our decision-making process for the Kusch Cannabis brand,” said Adolphus A. Busch V, CEO of Teal Cannabis. The brand’s tagline, “Cultivated With A Higher Intent,” underscores Kusch’s mission to produce top-tier products while maintaining a focus on consumer health and environmental stewardship. “Kusch is our cost-conscious brand, but there is nothing cheap about the products and the processes used to make them. ‘Cultivated With A Higher Intent’ speaks to the fact that we do not cut any corners to produce these cost-conscious products. Our focus with Kusch is to produce the best quality products at an affordable price for the consumer while keeping the health of our customers and our environment at the forefront of our research and development.”
Originally launched as ABV, Kusch has transitioned into a brand that not only offers quality but also an authentic vibe that seeks to stand out in the market. The brand’s product lineup includes 1-gram all-in-one vapes and 1-gram .510 thread vape carts. These products are designed for convenience, catering to consumers on the go. The all-in-one vapes feature cultivars such as OG Kush, Blue Dream, and Super Lemon Haze, while the .510 thread vape carts are available in cultivars like Strawberry Cough and Watermelon OG. “These conveniently sized all-in-one vapes are perfect for any adventure,” Busch mentioned, highlighting the brand’s intention to align with an active, outdoor lifestyle.
To ensure the high quality of its products, Kusch emphasizes rigorous quality assurance processes. “We work very closely with all of our cannabis and non-cannabis vendors,” Busch explained. “Our hardware vendors are vetted thoroughly, and we make sure they have run all of the important tests on their hardware to help protect public health and safety. Our terpenes are cannabis-derived, and they come from a reputable provider. When sourcing terpenes, we make sure that they are cannabis-derived and that any additional terpenes added for a boost in flavor are all-natural, never synthetic.”
Consistency and Reliability
Kusch is committed to maintaining consistency and reliability across its product range. “Through thorough procurement processes, and strict formulation and production SOPs. We tweak our SOPs when better processes are identified, and we retrain our staff when these new processes are implemented,” Busch stated. “Continuous improvement is a phrase we use regularly in our facility. We are always striving to better our processes and it shows through our quality, consistency, and reliability. Take our Kusch prerolls for example. We use a Rocketbox to fill the cones, but from there all of the prerolls are hand perfected and each one is individually weighed. Always whole flower, never shake or trim.”
Cost-Conscious Approach
For Busch and his team, balancing cost-consciousness with quality is a key focus for Kusch. “A great example is the Kusch vape line,” Busch highlighted. “The base ingredient for the Kusch oil formulations is distillate, but we source high-quality, cannabis-derived terpenes so that the experience for the consumer is closer to that of smoking flower or vaping live resin oil. We will not launch a product under the Kusch brand unless the components have been tested and the product meets our quality standards.” Despite being a cost-conscious brand, Kusch does not compromise on quality. “We take a hit on our margin to provide top quality in our category. That is what we believe in and what we will always stand behind,” Busch added.
Product Development
Looking ahead, Kusch has unique products in the pipeline that are set to distinguish the brand in the market. “I believe all of the products under the Kusch brand are unique for several reasons,” Busch stated. One of these innovations is cannabis-infused local honey. “We have six beehives on our land near our facility and have been harvesting honey for a couple of years now,” Busch explained. “This product would be one of a kind in Missouri since this is local honey harvested from one of our owner’s farms.”
Heritage and History
When it comes to marketing, Kusch seeks to establish its own identity, independent of the Busch family heritage. “We really do not plan to leverage the history and heritage of the Busch brand in Kusch’s marketing. We want Kusch to stand on its own in this market,” Busch explained. “People will make the connection due to where the brand is being launched, but I feel that it is more a testament to the quality and consistency of the products. Creating brand value through quality and consistent products and standing for something meaningful has always been part of my family’s history and heritage. That is the main takeaway and what should shine through the most with this brand. My team and I do what we love and create products that we can stand behind while staying true to what we stand for as a company. The Kusch brand embodies all of that through our love for the outdoors, the health of our environment, and high-quality cannabis.”
Advertising and Consumer Engagement
Kusch’s marketing strategy emphasizes authenticity and consumer engagement. “Kusch is about enjoying quality cannabis and living a truly fulfilling life. Living a fulfilling life requires close connections with family and friends, being vulnerable, and detaching from technology to connect with yourself and your surroundings more meaningfully. Our strategy is less of a defined strategy and more about being ourselves and doing what we love while enjoying the happiness Kusch can add to any occasion,” Busch explained. Dallas Henderson, Marketing Manager at Teal Cannabis, expanded on this approach, emphasizing that Kusch aims to showcase people doing what they love. “We really want to show how much we enjoy living life to the fullest through each avenue of our marketing,” Henderson said. “We want to showcase people doing what they love! Whether that’s hiking, camping, traveling, or hanging out at a friend’s house. Kusch is for everyone! We also plan on doing some really fun giveaways to get people excited about a new brand in the Missouri market while staying true to who we are and helping consumers connect with themselves or those around them.”
Color Scheme and Market Differentiation
The visual identity of Kusch, including its color scheme, was chosen to reflect the brand’s connection to nature while standing out on retail shelves. “Kusch’s color scheme was chosen because it fits the outdoor feel and nature of the brand while also standing out on the shelves as something different than what you typically see,” Busch mentioned. Henderson added, “Our color scheme focuses on a natural tone in colors, but with orange and yellow as our main colors, we can really stand out on the shelves. With those colors, unique displays, and custom print assets, we plan on catching the attention of every consumer that walks through that dispensary door as well as consumers on social.”
Market Feedback
Initial feedback on the rebranding has been positive, particularly regarding the new color scheme. “The feedback has been great! We love the orange and yellow combo. We have some ideas to strengthen the look and feel of the packaging even more in the future, but right now we are happy with what we have created,” Busch shared.
As Kusch continues to develop and expand its product offerings, the brand remains committed to offering cannabis products that are accessible, high-quality, and deeply connected to the environment. Whether through innovative products like infused local honey or through a marketing strategy that emphasizes living life to the fullest, Kusch is poised to make a significant impact in the Missouri cannabis market.
