CBD Business Opportunities for the Year 2022

Do you want to get involved in the CBD industry, but you’re worried that the market is already over-saturated? Perhaps you feel like that ship has sailed, but you missed the boarding call? Well, we have good news for you. There are tonnes of CBD business opportunities that you can take by the horns to get involved in this revolutionary new industry.

The CBD industry has truly exploded in the UK, in recent years, and with great success comes great competition. But don’t let this turn you off the idea of starting your own CBD business. It simply means that you’ll need to think outside the box when it comes to products and services.

Here at Cannmed, we have operated within the CBD sphere for many years, and so have accumulated a wealth of industry knowledge. We want to share this expertise with entrepreneurs like you, simply to help the industry grow and evolve. That’s why we have put together a CBD business starter kit, in the hope it will inspire you to get started.

CBD Business Opportunities in the Food & Beverage Industry

As we mentioned earlier, there is some stiff competition within the industry. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re on the back foot from day one. It simply means that you need to get creative with the products and services that you can offer. For instance, CBD oils and tinctures are traditional CBD products, so you might face some rivalry if you start up a new tincture brand.

In contrast, you could pivot your business slightly and opt for CBD-infused snacks and beverages instead. Let’s take a closer look at these industry sectors.

1. CBD-Infused Snacks and Treats

When we ingest CBD-infused foods, the cannabinoid goes through the digestive system before it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This means it takes a while for the effects to “kick in”. However, it also means that these benefits last over the course of the day. Typically, you can enjoy the benefits for up to 6 to 8 hours, sometimes longer.

Many people like the idea of integrating edibles into daily routines because they offer a slow and steady release into the system. Therefore, they don’t need to worry about topping up their daily dose after a couple of hours.

Another major benefit of opting for CBD-infused foods is convenience. Edibles contain a precise amount of CBD, so users don’t need to measure out dosages. Equally, they can easily enjoy edibles on the go, as they’re easy to use and extremely discreet. Take CBD-infused gummies, for instance, one can simply eat one or two gummies, as they would eat a normal gummy bear.

CBD-infused edibles are becoming increasingly popular because they’re so easy to use, and they’re tasty too. Some of the most popular products combine firm favourites like chocolate or jelly with CBD. However, infused nut butters, cereal bars, and baked goods are becoming popular too. This offers the perfect opportunity to get involved.

Need Some Ideas for CBD-Infused Snacks and Foods?

You can easily infuse CBD into a wide range of foods and snacks. Here are some examples:

• Ice-cream
• Protein powder/protein bars
• Chocolate spread
• Honey
• Lollipops or hard sweets
• Cookies, brownies, other baked goods

It is worth noting that starting a CBD-infused foods business can be costly to start off. You will need to find suitable premises and equipment. In addition, you will need to follow legal requirements and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles.

You can learn more about starting your own CBD gummies business.

2. CBD-Infused Beverages

Just like infused foods, CBD-infused beverages offer a slow and steady release into the system. They’re also super easy to use and a wonderful way for your customers to integrate their daily dose into their existing routine. Here are some examples:

• Infused Coffee: So many of us start the day with a cup of coffee, and CBD-infused coffee can be enjoyed in exactly the same way. CBD is known to have calming effects on consumers, and therefore, infused coffee can help offset the caffeine jitters that we sometimes experience. Many people find that swapping regular coffee for infused coffee can help boost productivity at the office, as well as helping with mental clarity and focus.
• Infused Tea: Herbal teas, like chamomile tea, can help us relax and prepare for bed. CBD works in a similar way, but it also offers mild pain relief. Therefore, it’s a match made in heaven for anyone who struggles with nervousness, chronic pain, or sleepless nights.
• Cocktails/Mocktails: Many of us enjoy a cocktail after a long day at work. It can help us unwind and relax after a stressful day. However, a CBD-infused mocktail can offer the same effect without the hangover. Thus, many people are choosing to infuse mocktails with CBD to help them unwind midweek. These mocktails are also useful if you are the designated driver for the night, but don’t want to miss out.

If you’re interested in learning more about starting your own CBD drinks business, we discuss it in more detail here.

3. Opening a CBD Speciality Restaurant or Cafe

If you’re interested in the world of cannabis cooking, but you’re not keen on starting a beverage or foods business, there are tonnes of other CBD business opportunities available within the food and beverage industry. For instance, you could start your very own CBD restaurant or cafe. There, you can regularly change the menu to offer customers fresh and innovative ways to ingest CBD.

In addition, you won’t have to worry about labelling or packaging for your products, as you can source your ingredients from wholesalers and infuse them into the food served at your restaurant.

If your budget doesn’t allow for premises with seating space, you could opt for a takeaway-only menu. That way, you will only need space to prepare and package food, and you can outsource delivery to avoid hiring your own drivers. Alternatively, you can opt for a more casual dining experience with a portable food truck. This will also allow you to travel to food, culture and music festivals.

CBD Business Opportunities in the Health, Beauty & Wellness Sector

Experts value the global beauty industry at approximately $603 billion as of 2021. This means it can be an extremely profitable industry to get involved in, and there are multiple ways you can do so.

4. CBD-Infused Skincare

CBD is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and studies have shown that it also has mild analgesic properties too. In addition, skincare experts believe that CBD is a gentle but powerful moisturiser that helps to lock hydration into the skin. All of these qualities mean it is an ideal candidate for skincare products.

As CBD is gentle and soothing on the skin, it is suitable for all skin types. One can even use it to help soothe irritated or sore skin caused by acne breakouts or inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis. Experts also believe that CBD has antimicrobial properties. Therefore, it can help reduce acne-causing bacteria on the skin, reducing the occurrence of breakouts.

CBD can easily be added to many skincare products, such as:

• Moisturisers
• Cleansers
• Toners
• Serums for specific skin concerns
• Masks
• Eye creams

It’s worth mentioning that CBD skincare isn’t limited to cleansers, serums, moisturisers, etc. that can be used on the face. You could easily combine the plant extract with other natural ingredients to form a range of body care products, such as:

• Soaps
• Body lotions
• Shower gels
• Shaving lotions

5. CBD-Infused Haircare

Interestingly, CBD isn’t just good for your skin, it’s quite good for your hair too. Therefore, the hair care industry offers ample CBD business opportunities for entrepreneurs too. Hemp oil is packed with powerful antioxidants and omega fatty acids. These components help to keep the skin and hair moisturised and nourished.

Studies also show that the plant extract can play a role in balancing sebum production. This means it curbs excess production, leaving the scalp and skin perfectly balanced – not too oily and not too dry. This can help tackle dandruff without weighing down the hair with excess moisture, making it appear oily and limp.

As we mentioned, CBD is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties. Therefore, one could even use it to create a range of hair care products that target consumers suffering from inflammatory scalp conditions.

6. Open a CBD Spa

If the thought of creating your own products doesn’t appeal to you, there are other CBD business opportunities within the beauty sector. For instance, you could start your own CBD spa. You can use infused skincare and haircare products, as described above. You could also use infused topical balms and massage oils to help alleviate muscle and joint pain for your customers.

When topical products are used, the effects are limited to the area where they are applied. This is because CBD does not enter the bloodstream, and so cannot travel around the body. Instead, it only interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the localised area. Therefore, you can use topical balms and creams to target specific areas of concern.

CBD topical products can be used for:

• Reducing muscle tension and tightness
• Soothing joint stiffness
• Easing pain and discomfort
• Aiding in post-workout recovery

CBD Business Opportunities in the Pet Care Industry

People love their pets dearly, and the pet care industry is one of the most lucrative and fast-growing industries out there. Therefore, it offers some of the best CBD business opportunities.

7. CBD-Infused Pet Food and Treats

Experts believe that cats and dogs have similar endocannabinoid systems to humans, and they can experience the same benefits that we can. This is wonderful news for pets who may be suffering from separation anxiety or general nervousness.

By creating a range of infused treats and snacks for pets, you could offer a solution to the many pet owners who are returning to work after spending most of their time at home during the pandemic. Many pets may be experiencing separation anxiety for the first time, and infused treats may help ease this. In addition, infused treats may help calm rescue pets who are nervous as a result of previous abuse or neglect.

8. CBD-Infused Topical Treatments for Pets

As we know, CBD has analgesic properties too. This means that you could use the plant extract to create a range of pet-friendly topical treatments. As pets age, they might experience aches and pains in muscles and joints. Luckily, infused topical lotions could help ease this discomfort for senior pets. They work in exactly the same way as topical balms work for humans.

CBD Business Opportunities Within the Supply Chain

There are so many CBD business opportunities in the UK, even if you don’t want to manufacture products yourself. You can simply tap into the supply chain elsewhere.

9. Becoming a Distributor

Becoming a CBD distributor couldn’t be easier. You don’t need any processing or manufacturing facilities, you just need packing and shipping facilities. To get started, you can source wholesale CBD products from a reputable supplier, and then pass the products onto retail stores and small businesses. Essentially, you act as a middleman.

Start-up costs are much lower than other CBD business opportunities, and it’s quite simple to get your company up and running. In addition, it can be extremely profitable as markup prices tend to range between 20% and 40%.

10. Packaging and Labelling CBD Containers

CBD products require very specific packaging and labelling. For instance, the cannabinoid is sensitive to sunlight; excessive exposure can affect the potency. Therefore, hemp extracts need to be stored in coloured containers, ideally green or brown glass.

In addition, there are restrictions and regulations in place for the labelling of CBD products. For example, all labels must require certain disclaimers and warnings. Products can only be described in certain terms, and one cannot make any unsubstantiated or misleading medical claims. According to the FSA, food and beverage products need to include additional information too. You can find more information on that here.

Because of these specific requirements, manufacturers and smaller CBD businesses might find it difficult to source adequate, yet cost-effective packaging and labelling services. That’s where your CBD business opportunity comes in. You could easily source or manufacture specific bottles or containers for CBD businesses. Likewise, you could offer printing, labelling or packaging services too.

11. Starting a CBD Delivery Service

In an age where consumers are used to next day delivery options offered by larger companies, small businesses struggle to compete. Offering priority or express shipping options can be costly, and small businesses cannot absorb the additional costs. In addition, some customers may find higher delivery prices off-putting. Luckily, this pain point offers you an interesting CBD business opportunity. You could potentially start your own CBD delivery service.

To get started, all you need is a large van and a clean driver’s license. You can even use the GPS app on your phone. You can then offer a courier service to small brick and mortar CBD stores, as well as local online stores. Customers can get their items faster, and businesses don’t need to pay extortionate prices for express delivery. You can work with many different businesses within the area to build up clientele.

Thinking Outside the Box

If you’re looking for some CBD business opportunities that are a little outside of the box, we have some suggestions for you too.

12. Start a CBD Subscription Service

Consumers love convenience, and oftentimes they prefer to opt for a subscription service for products that they tend to purchase regularly. This eliminates the need to actively go online or in-store to purchase the product, and it means that you won’t run out. Many people are moving towards this way of shopping for everyday essentials, and this could include CBD. Therefore, it offers an interesting CBD business opportunity for you.

You don’t necessarily need to create your own line of products to offer consumers a subscription service, you can simply work with established brands. This means that you can work with brands that are already well known, with an established customer base. You can arrange a selection of products per box, depending on what your customers are using the CBD for. For instance, you could offer a selection of herbal teas and infused biscuits/cookies for tea-lovers.

If you want to create your own line of CBD products, you can also offer your customers subscription box services. This would work well for customers who are buying multiple items regularly. For instance, if you create a CBD-infused skincare range, customers will probably buy the same products each month. Combining these items into a subscription box makes it easier for your customers to purchase your products each month, as they don’t need to think about it.

To boost customer retention, you could even include small samples of new products in your subscription boxes. This would reward customer loyalty and encourage them to purchase your new products.

Subscription boxes are a wonderful way to earn recurring revenue. You could offer customers the option to sign up for 3 or 6 months at a time, meaning that you can easily predict monthly revenue. Having a predictable income makes managing cash flow much easier too.

13. Get Into CBD Marketing

As we know, there are restrictions and guidelines when it comes to how CBD can be marketed and advertised. One needs to be extremely careful when creating written content, making sure not to make any unsubstantiated claims or imply that the substance can be used to treat or prevent illness or medical conditions.

In addition, there are restrictions in place when sharing information about the cannabinoid on social media, restrictions that may differ from platform to platform. Therefore, if you’re willing to familiarise yourself with regulations, there could be a CBD business opportunity waiting for you as a CBD marketing specialist.

Digital marketing strategies are imperative to businesses in 2022, whether they’re brick and mortar stores or online stores. Therefore, there are ample opportunities for you to get involved in the CBD marketing sector.

What Areas of Digital Marketing Could I Get Involved In?

• Content Marketing: If you have a flair for creating written content, you could get involved in content marketing. Here, you would provide businesses with blog articles, social media copy, ebooks, infographics, case studies, and even educational tools like checklists or “how-to” guides. Equally, you could create videos and images for your customers’ websites or social media platforms.
• Email Marketing: Alternatively, you could offer email marketing services. Email marketing ties in with content marketing, as you’re providing customers written content, but it’s delivered directly to their inbox. Some businesses use email newsletters as a way to communicate new products, information, and discounts with customers. Others build an email list where customers pay to sign up and receive valuable information. Usually, these subscription email marketing businesses share information like industry insights, product recommendations, or sector news with their customers.
• Social Media Marketing: If you’re well-versed in the ways of social media, you could find a CBD business opportunity in social media marketing. To do this, you will need to be able to create high-quality, engaging content for followers, building a community and brand awareness for your customers. To nurture this community, you will also need to interact with social media users to build rapport, boost engagement, and answer any questions that they may have.

14. Become a CBD Blogger or Reviewer

If you’re looking for a CBD home business, you could start working as a CBD blogger or reviewer. Content is extremely important for e-commerce stores, as it adds value to customers’ shopping experience and it helps boost their site ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Once you familiarise yourself with advertising restrictions, you could start writing informative content for CBD businesses to use on their sites. Alternatively, you could try different CBD products and write reviews on each one. Consumers are much more likely to buy products when they see unbiased reviews online.

Alternatively, you could start your own CBD blog. On your blog, you could share reviews and experiences with products or your findings from online research. You could also keep an ear to the ground and share valuable industry information with readers. Building a reputation as an industry expert and reliable source of information for your readers will take time, but it can be profitable. Over time, once you have built an audience, you can earn money from sponsorships, collaborations and ad revenue.

15. Start Your Own CBD Podcast

If you’re interested in CBD business opportunities that involve producing content, but creative writing isn’t your thing, you could try your hand at starting a CBD podcast.

So many people opt for podcasts over blogs due to the convenience factor. One can easily listen in whilst on the daily commute, when cooking dinner or catching up on housework. Starting a specialised podcast offers a wonderful opportunity to stand out from the crowd, building a reputation as an industry expert and source of valuable information for consumers.

Your podcast will offer similar opportunities to a blog, as you can share your opinions on certain products and services. Once you have garnered enough listeners, you can start to earn money through:

• Affiliate marketing: This is when you earn a small commission when listeners purchase products that you have recommended.
• Sponsorship: Businesses may also sponsor you to promote their products or to place ads on your podcast.
• Subscription services: You could provide additional content for listeners who sign up to sponsor you through services such as Patreon.

Building a successful blog could lead to other CBD business opportunities too; you can branch off and produce downloadable content for your listeners. For instance, you could produce audiobooks or ebooks that your listeners can purchase. In addition, you could produce educational courses and guides, or you can host virtual events with guest speakers.

Conclusion

Despite the impressive growth that the industry has seen, there are extensive CBD business opportunities for entrepreneurs willing to think outside the box.

There are many ways you can tap into extremely lucrative industries, such as the beauty sector or the food and beverage sector. In addition, there are many opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to get involved, but they don’t necessarily want to create their own line of products. For instance, you could open your own spa or subscription box service using products from established brands. Alternatively, you could act as a distributor, courier, or provide packaging services.

If you’re interested in creative industries, you could also get involved in marketing or content creation. The possibilities are truly endless.

Whether you’re interested in creating your own line of products or becoming a distributor, Cannmed is here to help. We offer a wide range of wholesale CBD and white-label CBD products, all thoroughly tested and accompanied by up to date certifications and lab reports.

Are you ready to get involved in a revolutionary industry? Our highly trained team is waiting to discuss CBD business opportunities with you. Simply get in touch with us using this form, and we’ll be in touch to help you get started.

You may also like to read: Cannabis Hemp Business: Sell CBD in 9 Simple Steps