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WASHINGTON CANNABIS MARKETING

Washington was one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis.  This means that since 2014, Washington state has been at the forefront of the cannabis industry, leading the way in terms of many of the complicated issues surrounding legal weed, including production, distribution, taxation, and yes, marketing. The market is maturing rapidly, with competition fierce, and growers and retailers who want to make a name for themselves must concentrate on developing a strong marketing and brand presence. Traditional growers would prefer to compete on product, but the reality is that as far as the consumer is concerned, effective marketing is the most important thing that you can do to grow your business. That's why professional cannabis marketing is essential.

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At The Hood Collective, our team of designers, videographers, and photographers focus exclusively on the cannabis industry, and that's been the case since we were first founded in 2017. Our goal is to support cannabis growers and retailers in the Washington market with attention-grabbing and affordable digital and print content. Whether you represent a cannabis farm, distributor, processor, event team, tester, edible maker, or dispensary, we can help you promote your brand and grab crucial market share by highlighting what makes your company special. And that goes for Hemp and CBD companies as well. With our headquarters conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest, we're uniquely placed to support Washington cannabis businesses.

 

Contact us today to set up a free consultation.

 

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WHEN DID WASHINGTON LEGALIZE CANNABIS?

Prior to full legalization, Washington's state legislature made possession of 40 grams or less a misdemeanor in 1971, although it was still considered a Schedule I drug at the federal level. Less than a decade later, the Washington Court of Appeals acknowledged the medical necessity of cannabis for certain patients, opening the way for medical marijuana in the state. The 90's saw the opening of cannabis clubs that made it possible for patients in the state to legally obtain cannabis for medicinal purposes. Though this was not strictly legal, law enforcement rarely intervened.

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In 2011, cannabis advocates launched Initiative 502, a ballot measure to fully legalize the recreational use of cannabis among adults older than 21. The bill allowed for the state to regulate and tax the production and sale of cannabis, as well as establishing new levels of blood THC while driving. The measure appeared on the ballot in 2012, passing by 55.7% to 44.3%. Along with Colorado, Washington became one of the first states to legalize cannabis. In 2013, prior to the law going into effect, the US Justice Department said they would not interfere with state efforts to legalize cannabis.

The first legal sale of recreational cannabis in Washington took place on July 8, 2014.

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WHAT ARE THE CANNABIS ADVERTISING RULES IN OREGON?

As with other states, Washington has strict and specific rules concerning the marketing and advertising of cannabis, CBD, and hemp, and its related products. These rules are formulated and overseen by the Washington State Liquor And Cannabis Board. To better understand the regulations and how they are enforced, visit the Washington State website here.  Of course, as Washington's cannabis business owners know, these rules are constantly being updated and revised, so it's important to stay abreast of any changes. That's why many cannabis companies have full time compliance officers whose job it is to stay abreast of the current regulations.

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According to the WSLCB, businesses are not allowed to include any advertising or marketing language that:

  • Is false

  • Is misleading

  • Promotes excessive consumption

  • Makes claims about the healing or therapeutic effects of cannabis

  • Could reasonably be considered to appeal to children, including the use of animated characters, toys, or underage persons.

        
Along those same lines, it is strictly forbidden to place advertising in any medium whatsoever that is withing one thousand feet of a school, recreation center, child care facility, park, library, or arcade. Other things that are disallowed include coupons, free gifts, or the targeting of out of state customers, such as with billboards that would be seen across state lines. 

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Of course, this is only an overview of the comprehensive rules that Washington cannabis, hemp, and CBD companies must follow.  Before you start a marketing campaign, make sure you know the rules and have a plan for staying on the right side of the law.

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WASHINGTON CANNABIS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS

Marketing agencies specialize in different aspects of the industry. At The Hood Collective, we are focused on creating premium digital and print content at an affordable price point. We maintain a team of Washington photographers and videographers who have experience working throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our team prides itself on being leaders in the cannabis market and we always strive to do our best to showcase our customer's cannabis products. Whatever your photography or video needs are, our team possesses the tools and vision to create professional, stunning visuals that will directly engage your target audience. We even have licensed drone pilots able to capture aerial footage of your cannabis farm or facility, with the beautiful vistas of Washington state as the backdrop.

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Our photography team excels at the following services:

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  • Cannabis Flower (Macro) Photography

  • Cannabis Packaging Photography

  • Cannabis Event Photography

  • Cannabis And Hemp Farm Photography

  • Cannabis Premises Photography

  • Cannabis Staff And Team Photos

  • Cannabis Model Photography

  • Cannabis Drone Photography

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Our professional videographers work with the most advanced gear and techniques, including lighting, cameras, audio, and motion graphics. We work with our clients from pre- to post-production, covering scripting, set design, filming, hair and makeup, editing, and color correction. We are experienced with the following types of cannabis video:

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  • Cannabis Landing Page Videos

  • Cannabis Educational Videos

  • Customer Testimonials

  • Cannabis Event Videos And Live Streaming

  • Cannabis Motion Graphics

  • Cannabis Promos

  • Cannabis Drone Videos

CANNABIS GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR WASHINGTON STATE

No matter what size your cannabis business is, you likely need professional graphic design. In fact, the best way to get branded an amateur company is with a sloppy looking logo or website. Premium branding starts with high class graphic design, and that's what our team of designers and animators specialize in.

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Our dedicated graphic design team is fluent in producing the following premium content:

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  • Cannabis Branding And Style Guides

  • Cannabis Logo Design

  • Cannabis Packaging Design

  • Cannabis Motion Graphics And Animation

  • Cannabis T-Shirt Design

  • Print Marketing Materials And Brochures

  • Cannabis Business Card Design

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WHERE WE OPERATE THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON'S CANNABIS MARKET

The Hood Collective started in Portland, Oregon, in 2017, so it was just a short trip across the Columbia River to start working with clients in Washington State. In fact we're familiar with cannabis businesses across the Pacific Northwest, from Washington to Northern California, including the Seattle area, Vancouver, and everywhere in between. We're able to work in the following cities and regions:

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  • Seattle, Washington

  • Tacoma, Washington

  • Vancouver, Washington

  • Bellingham, Washington

  • Spokane, Washington

  • Redmond, Washington

  • Olympia, Washington

  • Everett, Washington

  • Mt. Ranier, Washington

  • Mount St. Helens, Washington

  • Camas, Washington

  • Yakima, Washington

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Don't see your city listed? Don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to travel anywhere our customers in Washington need us.

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WHY HIRE THE HOOD COLLECTIVE FOR YOUR CANNABIS BRANDING

The Hood Collective is fully committed to the sustainable success of our customers. In fact, we've turned down clients before because we didn't think they were in a position to fully capitalize on our services. It's just one more example of our unparalleled  commitment to the Washington cannabis market. Our professional and responsive graphic designers, animators, and videographers make your satisfaction our top priority. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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