The Importance of Clear Naming Conventions for Cannabis Products

• If it says LR, is that live resin, or live rosin?

• Lift Equation distributes them, but are they called Cactus Jellies 100mg or “LE Gummies 100mg”

• Is it Pharmers, Pharmers Quality, X-ray pharms , Underdawg, Under dawg, Nero?

If your naming conventions all over the place, you may be missing out on sales…

Why Clear Naming Conventions Matter

In the ever-challenging cannabis industry, where the market is saturated with a multitude of products, having clear and consistent naming conventions is crucial for both retailers and manufacturers. A well-defined naming strategy ensures that products are easily identifiable, enhances consumer experience, and supports efficient inventory management.

Consequences of Poor Naming Conventions

1. Consumer Confusion: Poor naming conventions can lead to confusion among consumers. For instance, if Wyld gummies are listed with abbreviated flavors, such as “PR” for Pear, consumers might struggle to identify their desired product. This confusion can lead to missed sales opportunities and dissatisfied customers.

2. Inventory Management Issues: When products are added to inventory under generic or abbreviated names, it can complicate inventory tracking and management. For example, the Underdawg line of products might appear as “UD” in the system, making it challenging for staff to quickly identify and locate the product. This inefficiency can lead to delays, errors in stock counts, and potential loss of sales.

3. Brand Identity Dilution: Abbreviated or unclear product names can dilute a brand’s identity. Manufacturers spend considerable resources on branding to create a distinct market presence. If their products are not listed clearly, it diminishes their brand’s visibility and recognition in the market.

Mitigating Poor Naming Conventions

1. Manufacturers Taking Ownership: Manufacturers should ensure that their products are labeled with clear, concise, and standardized names. This practice not only supports brand identity but also ensures that products are accurately represented in retail environments. For example, instead of abbreviating Wyld Raspberry Gummies as “Rasp Gummies,” they should be labeled as “Wyld Raspberry Gummies.”

2. Retailers Implementing Uniform Naming: Retailers can assign standardized names when accepting products into their inventory. This ensures uniformity and clarity across all products, making it easier for both staff and consumers to navigate the inventory. A simple and effective approach is to adopt a naming convention.

Adopting a structured naming convention helps in maintaining consistency and clarity. Here’s a suggested format for cannabis products:

Brand, Product Type, Extraction Type, Texture, Strain, Dominance, Weight

Example Breakdown:

• Brand: Bloom

• Product Type: Cartridge

• Extraction Type: Live Rosin

• Texture (Concentrates Only):

• Strain: Blue Dream

• Dominance: (S)

• Weight: 1g

Using this format, the product name would be: Bloom Cartridge Live Rosin Blue Dream (S) 1g.

This approach is similar to naming cars, where the name includes the brand, model, variant, and additional descriptors. For instance, a Mustang,

• Ford Mustang

• Ford Mustang GT

• Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Here you have a base model, a line, and a variant.

• Bloom Cartridge

• Bloom Cartridge Live Rosin

• Bloom Cartridge Live Rosin 1g

Implementing the Naming Convention

1. Standardized Templates: Develop standardized naming templates that can be used across the industry. Provide these templates to manufacturers and retailers to ensure consistency.

2. Training and Education: Conduct training sessions for staff on the importance of naming conventions and how to implement them effectively. This will help in maintaining uniformity and avoiding errors.

3. Technology Integration: Use inventory management systems that support the enforcement of standardized naming conventions. This can include automated checks and suggestions for correct product names during data entry.

Conclusion

Clear and consistent naming conventions are essential for the cannabis industry to ensure smooth operations, enhance consumer satisfaction, and strengthen brand identity. By adopting structured naming strategies and ensuring that both manufacturers and retailers adhere to these conventions, the industry can mitigate the issues associated with poor naming practices and foster a more organized and consumer-friendly market.