Hi there, and welcome to The Dealers Diary - my musings on the cannabis industry, California, and building Halara.
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In today’s entry: Quick Hits | 420 in 4 Days | The Mystery Strain Is Loose | Our First Solventless AIO | A New State This Summer
The Dealers Desk
Hey Dealers,
420 is four days away and this is the first year we're running it across three states at the same time. California, Washington, and New York. Three different markets, three different playbooks, and about three times the amount of coordination we thought it would take.
In California, our stores know the drill. They've stocked up, they've got their promos planned, and the regulars are already asking what deals are coming. In New York, we're still in introduction mode. A lot of these shops have only had Halara on their shelves for a few weeks, so 420 for them is less about volume and more about getting the product into people's hands for the first time. Washington is somewhere in the middle. The 420 doorbuster deal we ran out there actually brought in four new stores this month alone, which is lovely to see.
Part of me is calm because we've been planning this for weeks. The other part of me knows something will go sideways because it always does. Both things are true every year and I've learned to just keep moving.
If your local spot carries Halara, ask them what they're running this weekend. We told our partners to go big.
Onwards and upwards,
-Malcolm
The Mystery Strain Is Loose
Remember that shiny black package we teased a few weeks back? It's out. Shipping to stores this week.
2,000 units only. All-in-one. 94% TAC. If you've been guessing, this is your last window before it's on shelves and the answer is obvious. $1,000 to the first person who guesses the strain correctly.
Hit reply with your guess. Once it's on shelves, the contest is over.
I'd move fast on this one. Two thousand units across three states goes quicker than you'd think.
What We're Seeing
420 is becoming two different holidays. In mature markets like California, it's basically Black Friday. Stores know what they want, they've got their promos planned, they're ordering for volume. But in newer markets like New York and parts of Washington, 420 is still an introduction. It's less "stock up for the rush" and more "let's get this product into people's hands for the first time." We're seeing this firsthand because we're running promos in all three states and the playbook is completely different in each one. California is about volume. New York is about first impressions. Washington is somewhere in between.
If your local spot carries Halara, ask them what deal they're running. We told our partners to go big this year.
The multi-state brands are figuring it out faster. Something I've been noticing at industry events and in conversations with other founders. The companies that operate in three or more states are learning things that single-state operators just can't see yet. How pricing varies by region, how budtender education needs are totally different market to market, how a brand that's established in one state is still a complete unknown in another. It's humbling and honestly it's been the biggest education of the quarter for us
Strain Spotlight
Our first solventless all-in-one.
We've been making resin sauce carts and AIOs for a while now, but this is the first time we've put solventless rosin into an all-in-one format. Quick explanation if you're not familiar: solventless means the oil is extracted using only ice and pressure. It produces a flavor profile that's noticeably different from anything else we make. Cleaner, more expressive, closer to what the flower actually tastes like.
We filled the first run yesterday week. 1,000 units, three strains (Super Boof is my personal favorite of the batch), California only for now.
If you've tried our Resin Sauce products and liked them, this is the next step up in the "Taste the Flower" lineup. If you haven't tried either, honestly start with whatever your local shop has and work your way up. You'll taste the difference.
Where to find it: California dispensaries only (for now). Check halaracannabis.com/find for your nearest location.
Should hit shelves next week.
Quick Hits
420 deals are live. Most of our partner shops across all three states are running promos this weekend. In New York, we're doing BOGOs at participating stores. Check with your local spot or hit the Find page to see who carries us near you.
A fourth state is coming this summer. I'm not going to say which one yet because we're still finalizing the details, but the conversations are real and the economics are better than anything in our current portfolio. If you're a Dealer in a state where we don't operate yet, hit reply and let us know where you are. It helps.
Pennsylvania's governor is pushing hard for legalization. Gov. Shapiro says recreational cannabis can fund schools and public safety, and PA is widely considered the most likely state to legalize through its legislature this year. If it happens, that's another massive East Coast market opening up. Full story here.
Worth reading: Cannabis Business Times put together a list of 7 states that could still legalize in 2026. The pace of new states legalizing has slowed down compared to a few years ago, but there's still movement. Worth keeping an eye on if you're in a state that hasn't flipped yet.
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Halara · Emerald Triangle, CA
P.S - My Weekly Bops
P.S. Writing this one from South America, so the playlist has a little Latin flair this week:
