Rising High: Exclusive talk with cannabis marketplace Weedmaps

In this edition of “Rising High,” The Fly conducted an exclusive interview with Jackie Gonzalez-Becerra, Vice President of Sales & Revenue at Weedmaps (MAPS), an online cannabis marketplace for consumers. Here are some highlights:

NUGGMD PARTNERSHIP: Weedmaps is a marketplace for consumers to discover and browse cannabis-related products, access daily dispensary deals, order for pick-up and delivery and learn about the plant. The company announced in July a partnership with NuggMD, an online telemedicine platform for medical cannabis patients and physicians, to launch a pilot program that streamlines the medical cannabis education and application process for patients. “We chose to partner with NuggMD thanks to their widespread coverage and brand awareness in the cannabis space,” Gonzalez-Becerra said. “They’ve been around for more than ten years and understand how to make the med card process as simple as possible — a mutual goal for both teams.”

The initiative enhances access to medical cannabis by connecting potential patients on Weedmaps with the NuggMD telehealth platform, creating a full circle e-commerce experience when the patient returns to shop and learn more about medicinal cannabis products on Weedmaps. “This initiative focuses on educating consumers throughout the Weedmaps shopping experience about medical card programs available through NuggMD,” the VP said. “From Weedmaps, the consumer will be automatically directed to the NuggMD platform to learn more and easily apply.”

CANNABIS ACCESS FOR ALL: When asked about how pairing NuggMD’s telehealth expertise with Weedmaps e-commerce knowledge creates value for the consumer, Gonzalez-Becerra noted Weedmaps’ mission is about creating and providing access to cannabis for all, including medical patients. “This integration helps the overall consumer shopping journey by connecting potential medical patients with NuggMD — an easy-to-use, well-known provider — to apply for their medical card,” she said. “Shoppers can then get educated and shop for medical products on Weedmaps once their card is approved.”

The VP added the process was designed to simplify the lives of medical patients by offering a comprehensive shopping and care experience. “Through the program, patients can obtain a medical card and access all the information they need to shop with confidence on Weedmaps,” she said. “We’re excited about this partnership and believe it will significantly improve both the accessibility and effectiveness of medical cannabis treatment.”

MARKET AVAILABILITY: The first phase of the program is currently active in five of the 28 states that NuggMD serves: Florida, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Louisiana. “These five states currently have medical-only cannabis programs,” Gonzalez-Becerra said. “We are already working with NuggMD on phase two with plans to add four additional states.”

When asked about the types of products offered for patients in the program, she said product availability varies by state and depends on the recommendation provided by a physician. “The preference for specific product forms may also differ based on individual needs and state regulations,” she said.

CANNABIS FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS: According to an August 2023 survey of nearly 15,000 Weedmaps users, 33% of respondents said they are more likely to use cannabis to address the symptoms of a diagnosed medical condition, with “reducing anxiety” and “relaxing” as the most common drivers of cannabis usage. NuggMD has seen similar results from their own recent cannabis consumer poll, noting that, “one in four survey participants use marijuana for pain management.”

“Medical cannabis programs vary state-by-state in both the medical conditions covered by the program, as well as the form factors patients can receive as a prescription,” the VP said. “Through this collaboration, Weedmaps is helping to connect patients directly with NuggMD medical professionals to determine how cannabis might support them at a therapeutic level. Throughout their med card journey, Weedmaps remains the educational and shopping hub patients return to find and learn about the best products available to them.”

She added there is still a stigma around cannabis consumption in many circles of the U.S. “That first barrier for most potential patients is starting that education process,” Gonzalez-Becerra said. “With this partnership, if a potential medical consumer is shopping on Weedmaps, but doesn’t have a med card yet, they will be prompted to learn more and apply for a card via NuggMD. This approach ensures patients receive the right information from the start helping them feel confident in asking questions and understanding the application process.”

CANNABIS/PSYCHEDELIC STOCKS: Publicly-traded companies in the space include Acreage (ACRHF), Ascend Wellness (AAWH), Atai Life Sciences (ATAI), Aurora Cannabis (ACB), Ayr Wellness (AYRWF), Avant Brands (AVTBF), BZAM (BZAMF), Cannabist Company (CBSTF), Cannara Biotech (LOVFF), Canopy Growth (CGC), Chicago Atlantic (REFI), Clearmind (CMND), Clever Leaves (CLVR), Compass Pathways (CMPS), CordovaCann (LVRLF), Cresco Labs (CRLBF), Cronos Group (CRON), Curaleaf (CURLF), CURE Pharmaceutical (CURR), CV Sciences (CVSI), Cybin (CYBN), Delta 9 (DLTNF), Entourage Health (ETRGF), Enveric Biosciences (ENVB), Fire & Flower (FFLWF), Flora Growth (FLGC), Trees Corporation (CANN), Greenlane (GNLN), Green Thumb (GTBIF), GrowGeneration (GRWG), Hemp (HEMP), Heritage Cannabis (HERTF), High Tide (HITI), IGC Pharma (IGC), IM Cannabis (IMCC), Indiva (NDVAF), Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR), InterCure (INCR), Lotus Ventures (LTTSF), Lowell Farms (LOWLF), Lucy Scientific Discovery (LSDI), MediPharm (MEDIF), MedMen (MMNFF), MindMed (MNMD), NewLake Capital (NLCP), Numinus (NUMIF), Optimi Health (OPTHF), Organigram (OGI), Planet 13 (PLNHF), Red White & Bloom (RWBYF), Relmada Therapeutics (RLMD), Reunion Neuroscience (REUN), Revitalist (RVLWF), RIV Capital (CNPOF), RYAH Group (RYAHF), Safe Harbor Financial (SHFS), SNDL (SNDL), Sproutly (SRUTF), Skye Biosciences (SKYE), Stem Holdings (STMH), Sunniva (SNNVF), TerrAscend (TRSSF), Tetra Bio-Pharma (TBPMF), Tilray (TLRY), Trulieve (TCNNF), Tryp Therapeutics (TRYPF), Verano (VRNOF), Village Farms (VFF), Vireo Health (VREOF), Zynerba (ZYNE) and 4Front Ventures (FFNTF).