As we navigate the final months of 2025, many of us will be looking ahead to the next year and wondering, “What are the main cannabis trends going to be?”

However, we can assume that moving into 2026, countries across the globe will be stepping up their cannabis reforms, as well as seeing some wellness products become more popular, and progress in international supply chains shifting toward sun-rich, cost-efficient regions (yes… that’s South Africa’s cue).

Whether you’re in cultivation, retail, CBD wellness, extraction, or seed genetics, understanding these global patterns can actually give you a massive advantage in the industry.

So, let’s dive into what we think will greet us in the cannabis world in 2026.

The global cannabis market is still growing.

According to BDSA, they predict that the international legal cannabis market will grow to US$58 billion by 2028. However, it is worth noting that the majority of the market is located in the United States of America, with the international market estimated to be only US$2.4 million in 2023.

While most will assume that more weed sold will mean larger profits in sales, it’s actually going to be about shifting geography, smarter consumers, tighter regulations (looking at the South African government!), and new product categories.

But looking ahead, the U.S. remains the cannabis market juggernaut, making up roughly ≈75% of total global sales.

Also, we mentioned shifting geography, with many eyeing out Europe as the new battleground. Countries like Germany, Switzerland, Czechia, and Portugal are leading the way in adult-use reform.

Additionally, Africa, Latin America, and the Mediterranean are rising as cultivation and export hubs. Asian markets, such as Thailand and Japan, are set to experiment with medical and wellness models.

In 2026, the industry is no longer “north-only.” Global cannabis has officially become a multi-continental, multi-regulatory ecosystem, and production is shifting South (let’s hope we get some clarity on exports).

Global Legalisation Momentum Continues

Just like our current legalisation slog, internationally, it remains the single most significant global “trend” or movement. However, it is not a neat and straightforward process.

It’s a patchwork, a negotiation, but undeniably, legalisation is expanding.

By 2026, expect more of the following:

• European adult-use pilots, in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Czechia.
• Medical expansion in Australia, Israel, Colombia, and Brazil
• Industrial hemp standardisation across Europe, Africa, and Asia
• And Africa is entering the export economy like us, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Morocco.

A key theme across all these movements towards legalisation is that regulation needs to be more robust. AKA: the public wants cleaner supply chains (no sneaking in THC in the CBD products), tighter testing, more traceability, and validated medical standards.

Product Trends for 2026!

Yes, there is bound to be some new products emerging from the woodwork. However, there are a few other cannabis infused products that are bound to change a little.

Currently, what we’ve noticed is that many clients are shifting from “let’s get baked” to “let’s get balanced.” AKA: I need something to allow me to unwind.

Anyway! Here’s what we think is going to happen to the cannabis product ranges:

Edibles and beverages

We’ve all seen the shift towards edibles being sold in a micro-dose format. Allowing for more chill and less couch-locked baked.

Expect to see more variations in dosages in gummies, jellies, and lollipops. Also, we’ve seen an uptake in sparkling cannabis drinks, for those on the move looking to ease into whatever situation they’ll be walking into.

Lastly, most cannabis infused treats will be marketed more along the lines of being wellness-forward edibles.

High-purity extracts

We’ve always prioritised the quality of the extracts in our products. Luckily, many cannabis consumers are now catching onto the fact that it matters.

Expect more cannabis products to list benefits like products having CO₂-extracted distillates.

Proper live rosin, terpene-rich oils, and high-end vape cartridges. Yes, technically, our products are already in 2026.

The Arrival of other cannabinoids

One of the strongest global cannabis shifts heading into 2026 is the move away from chasing maximum THC percentages and towards targeted functional effects. Instead of asking, “How strong is it?”, more consumers are asking, “What will it do for me?”

Right now, cannabis fans are looking for products to help with:

• Achieve better sleep with CBN-heavy formulations, along with other herbal solutions like lavender.
• Reducing stress and instilling calm with a 1:1 balance of CBD and THC.
• Focus and daytime clarity, which involves products with low-dose THC, THCV, CBG, and energizing terpene blends, are becoming popular for enhancing productivity and creativity.
• And physical recovery for athletes, gym-goers, and wellness clients who are now turning to CBD, CBG, topical balms, and low-dose edibles to reduce inflammation, support muscle recovery, and improve mobility.

This is just part of the cannabis market maturing.

Premium genetics

Modern cannabis breeding going into 2026 is far more intentional and scientific than ever before. Instead of chasing THC alone, breeders are engineering precise terpene profiles to deliver consistent flavours and targeted effects.

At the same time, cultivators want high-yield genetics that maximise canopy space and reduce production costs.

Outdoor growers are driving demand for disease- and mould-resistant strains, especially in humid or variable climates. With the global shift toward sustainable, low-energy cultivation, breeders are also developing sun-optimised varieties designed to thrive in natural light.

Finally, consumer demand for functional outcomes means genetics are increasingly tailored for specific effects. Such as energy, calm, pain relief, or better sleep.

The Wellness Takeover: CBD Is Entering Its Mature Phase

We’ve hammered this point home for a while now, but CBD is no longer a novelty. CBD is now an established wellness product in the category and is heading into premiumisation.

Or CBD is becoming more “larny”, fancy, or a proper luxury item. This means you can expect CBD products to have:

• Better extraction
• Cleaner formulations
• More science-backed claims
• Functional blends (melatonin, magnesium, adaptogens)
• Clinical-grade topicals
• Luxury skincare

Again, consumers are moving from “What is CBD?” to “Which formulation works best for my sleep/pain/stress?”

The CBD market is stabilising and becoming more sophisticated. Brands with scientific credibility will dominate. Additionally, we would like to mention that our lab coat professionals formulate our CBD range with scientific expertise.

Tech, AI, and automation

Gosh, we’re sorry to bring this up. The cannabis market is also going to use AI. After all, technology isn’t optional as it will now be a part of the backbone of the modern world, including the cannabis industry.

There will be two main sub-sections of the cannabis world that AI will affect the most, which include:

Cultivation tech

Yes, gone are the days when just having a reminder on your phone to monitor your crops was enough. AI and technology are reshaping the cannabis cultivation world for the better. Technology will be used in:

• AI crop monitoring
• Automated irrigation & fertigation
• Environmental sensors
• DNA mapping
• Precision lighting (LED & spectrum optimisation)

It’s worth noting that these advancements won’t affect the organic profile of the plants, allowing growers to use natural farming methods easily.

Retail and e-commerce tech

Well, we use some technology to enhance our e-commerce experience, but it’s going to get more technical.

Think of using AI for:

• Personalised dosing engines
• Scan-to-learn QR codes
• AI recommendations
• Inventory optimisation
• Compliance automation
• Blockchain traceability

At the end of the day, the smartest cannabis operators are becoming tech companies with plants, and not the other way around.

Africa’s Moment: Where South Africa Fits Into the Global Trend

South Africa’s not just dipping its toes into the cannabis world.

We’re cannonballing straight into the deep end with style.

We’ve got the culture, the genetics, the climate, and a set of private-use laws that actually make sense. Add in a fast-growing wellness scene, reasonable operating costs, and the world starting to look south for quality bud… and suddenly, SA is looking very spicy on the global stage.

By 2026, we’re talking premium sun-grown flowers, next-level extracts, CBD wellness that actually works, heritage strains with real stories, export-ready medical cannabis, and seed genetics built to withstand the harsh African climate.

The real takeaway? South Africa isn’t going to be playing catch-up in 2026; we’re joining the race right at the perfect time.