As the legalization movement has destigmatized marijuana use across the US, weed-centric start-ups, lifestyle brands, and media companies have flourished. And while cannabis culture is nothing new, the modern iteration of it, which incorporates health and a high-end aesthetic, certainly is.

With a slick, minimal aesthetic, MedMen’s approach to selling marijuana has drawn comparisons to mega-brands Apple and Starbucks. By creating a welcoming brick-and-mortar space, it’s hoping to normalize cannabis use – not just for stoners and those who need it medically, but for the masses.

Aurora Cannabis has become the first supplier of cannabis oils to German pharmacies. As the wellbeing space continues to flourish and social attitudes towards the drug shift, people are seeking alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals.

Thailand has legalised the cultivation and medicinal use of cannabis, making it the first Asian country to do so. Despite strict drug laws across Southeast Asia, this signals a significant shift in the perceptions around weed, as well as the potential for 'cannabis tourism' to develop in the region.