According to Forbes, “North American marijuana sales grew by an unprecedented 30 percent in 2016 to $6.7 billion as the legal market expands in the U.S. and Canada [and] sales are projected to top $20.2 billion by 2021.” With the expansion of legalized Marijuana in many states, cannabis products are becoming mainstream. And as things go mainstream, the opportunity for more curated and high-end cannabis products have emerged as a way for new brands to set themselves apart from the cliche “stoner” aesthetic and remove the stigma associated with cannabis use. Design agencies like Urban Influence are raising the bar on what a cannabis brand should look like, with high-end packaging finishes and thoughtful typographic treatments.

Urban Influence designed Daddy Grey Beard’s branding, channeling the old world aesthetic one might find in the dark interior of a sophisticated cigar lounge. They elevate the expectations of vape pen packaging with subtly embossed patterns, high-end foils and spot glosses.

Another winner by Urban Influence is Venna, a cannabis brand that embraces a feminine design sensibility in an effort to appeal more to women. According to the company’s website, “Venna brings to you pure Cannabis products woven with soft undertones of naturally extracted essence. Venna stands next to every kind of woman, bringing forth opulent flavor profiles designed to delight, inspire and uplift.”