Page 60 - IAADFS 2022 hi-res

INSIDER

WB Canna makes inroads in Caribbean with CBD and

Wellness brands

One year after WEBB Banks launched
WB Canna Co. & Wellness LLC to focus
on the emerging Cannabis and Wellness
industries, the subsidiary has had great
success growing these categories in the
Caribbean, Central America, and travel
retail, Phillip Jarrell, WB Canna COO tells
TMI.
“We had high expectations of CBD,
but Wellness has surged ahead to be the
leader of the two categories. We think that
CBD will catch up and eventually surpass,
but right now Wellness is really where we
are focused on turning a lot of volume. But
that gives us a lot of opportunities with
placing/seeding the market when it comes
to CBD,” says Jarrell.
When the WEBB Banks subsidiary
was launched in March 2021, its CBD including Marley CBD, Secret Nature, quality, safe, and effective products,” says
division was announced with anchor and cbdMD, are still our leaders. We are Jarrell.
brands that are still leading the way for WB so excited to have them as part of our “We also see good potential for Island
Canna, says Jarrell. portfolio. The category needs and requires Girl, especially in the Caribbean. We think
cbdMD, which is a leader in the a broader base of brands for consumers to the name Island Girl connotes the attitude,
CBD industry, comes with a varied pull from and answer different consumer the image for the type of consumer we
portfolio of CBD oil tinctures, gummies, need-states. We’ve added some interesting want to attract to it.”
sleep aids, and other products which brands recently,” says Jarrell. With CBD still not legal in all
are currently available in more than WB Canna has signed with Peels, markets, Jarrell sees education as key to
30 countries across the globe. Publicly which is an orange peel-based CBD brand, growing the category.
traded cbdMD also sponsors and supports which Jarrell sees as an opportunity in “CBD is legal in a handful of markets
numerous influencers and athletes who some markets where hemp-based CBD is at this time, but the CBD legal landscape is
use and endorse their products, including illegal. evolving greatly and we think 2022 will be
pro golfer Bubba Watson, MMA fighter “The legislation in countries never a great year. But even where legal, even in
Daniel Cormier, top fuel drag racer outlaws CBD. When it is outlawed it is markets where it has been legal for three or
Leah Pruett, and the NOBULL CrossFit hemp-based. Peels has a bit of a legal four years, there is still a lot of uncertainty
Games. opportunity to circumvent some of the with the marketplace itself. There has to be
WB Canna Co. & Wellness also rejections that hemp-based CBD might more education,” he says.
launched with Docklight Brands, producers have. We see this as an opportunity for “We, along with our brand partners,
of the Marley CBD portfolio. Docklight people who are flying to the Middle East, are going to be leaders in driving the
brings Bob Marley’s belief in the positive Africa, or East Asia where hemp-based education necessary to get everyone to
potential of the herb to consumers CBD might get them in trouble. Likewise the level that they need to be. We are still
worldwide through infused teas, wellness in the Caribbean in markets where there is dealing with some very prohibitionist
shots, chocolates, and skincare products a larger Muslim or Hindu population like in types of laws. Even after prohibition is
crafted with intention and respect. Trinidad.” over there will still be some concerns over
Rounding out the launch portfolio The company has also added how to really do it well. That is where
was Secret Nature, offering award-winning Quatreau, which is a CBD seltzer from our educational platform, our team, and
crafted premium organic CBD flowers, Canopy Growth. the power of our brand portfolio should
vapes, pre-rolls, and Rare Earth Medicine “We see a big opportunity; beverage hopefully flatten that curve a bit.”
(REM) sleep capsules. Founded in 2017, is our wheelhouse. Quatreau will be the “Right now the consumer is more
Secret Nature products are all-natural number one CBD beverage in the United educated and knowledgeable in what they
lab-tested small batch CBD flowers and States in 2022.” are looking for than the trade is. The trade
extracts. “In other newer brands, Martha is playing some catch up and needs to listen
Stewart is another opportunity to invite in to what the consumer is looking for. We are
New CBD brands new consumers. We see it inviting the 45 trying to educate on all levels.”
“That early wave of brands for us, plus crowd into the category and delivering

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