StrainBrain shakes up cannabis e-commerce with effect-first recommendations
First of Its Kind Customer Experience Prioritizes Feelings Over Form Factors for New Consumers
StrainBrain today announced a fundamentally new approach to e-commerce recommendations in the cannabis industry, designed to make shopping more accessible for new customers and to focus on desired effects rather than confusing industry jargon or form factors.
Building on last month’s StrainBrain 2.0 release, which explained the “why” behind product recommendations, StrainBrain now offers advanced recommendations for edibles and gummies based on feelings and effects such as sleep, energy, and relaxation. This innovative system re-orients the entire cannabis e-commerce shopping experience to start with the question, “How do you want to feel?”
Research indicates the cannabis market is growing rapidly and experiencing a massive shift. Compared to the traditional user, older adults are the fastest-growing segment of cannabis users. Women are a close second. Sixty-five percent of Americans who have tried cannabis have used it for medical purposes, and there’s a growing market of users seeking alternatives to alcohol. But most dispensaries struggle to reach these fast-growing segments with traditional retail, eCommerce, and marketing efforts.
StrainBrains’s innovative system is specifically engineered to demystify the cannabis purchasing process for all but the most experienced consumers. Until now, most online cannabis e-commerce has started with a decision about form factor, such as vape, edible, or flower. StrainBrain recognizes that many consumers may be more focused on the effects than the form, thereby translating complex strain names and product categories into relatable effects. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry for cannabis consumers, ultimately driving new customer acquisition for retailers.
“We believe that finding the right cannabis product should be as intuitive as choosing a coffee that gives you a boost or a tea that helps you unwind,” said Ed Brill, Chief Product Officer of StrainBrain. “Our new effect-based recommendation engine for edibles, combined with our existing focus on explaining why a product is recommended, empowers consumers to confidently explore cannabis based on their personal needs and desired experiences. StrainBrain now uniquely starts the shopping experience with ‘how do you want to feel?’, which is a game-changer for welcoming new users into the market.”
Noel Burkman, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of StrainBrain, added, “Our mission has always been to make cannabis accessible and understandable. With this latest advancement, we’re not just recommending products; we’re providing solutions for everyday needs, such as improved sleep, enhanced creativity, or increased focus. By prioritizing feelings and effects first, we’re shifting the paradigm of cannabis shopping, making it far more intuitive for new consumers and ultimately expanding the overall cannabis consumer base.”
Key features of StrainBrain’s enhanced recommendation engine include:
- Effect-First Shopping Experience: StrainBrain now initiates the shopping journey by asking users how they want to feel, moving beyond traditional form factor choices (vape, edible, flower) to focus directly on desired outcomes.
- Effect-Based Edible Recommendations: Users can now discover gummies and other edibles based on desired outcomes such as “sleep,” “energy,” “relaxation,” “focus,” and more, eliminating the need to understand specific cannabinoid profiles or terpene combinations.
- New Customer Acquisition Focus: The intuitive, jargon-free interface is designed to onboard new cannabis consumers by providing clear and relatable product suggestions.
- “Why” Behind Recommendations: Carried over from StrainBrain 2.0, the platform continues to provide clear explanations for why a particular product is recommended, fostering trust and education.
Availability:
StrainBrain’s new effect-based recommendation features are available immediately.
For more information, please visit https://www.
About StrainBrain:
StrainBrain is a leading innovator in cannabis e-commerce technology, dedicated to simplifying the product discovery process and making cannabis more accessible to a wider audience. By leveraging cutting-edge AI and user-centric design, StrainBrain empowers consumers to discover the ideal product for their unique needs and preferences while helping retailers broaden their customer base.
