WELCOME CANNABIS

Welcome Cannabis launched in 2020 with an aim to be a next generation cannabis brand.

 

We defined the core purpose unique to Welcome Cannabis: to bring to life a value system that resonates with the conscious consumer while making a positive impact.

With over 1,000 dispensaries in Ontario and the government issuing 120 new licenses a month, Welcome Cannabis faced an oversaturated market.

Consumers were overwhelmed with choices, yet no distinctive perspective arose. We saw an opportunity to transcend the conventional ideas within cannabis retailing.

By aligning with a greater purpose of inclusivity, community and culture, Home Planet helped bring the Welcome Cannabis brand to life through creative direction, branding, and most notably, the concept and design of its Dundas West location.

  • Connecting to the Community

    Welcome Cannabis’ retail space was designed as a welcoming, safe space for all. From the art on its walls to product staging on its shelves, pop-ups, and collaborations with DJs, Welcome Cannabis shared its space with other local small businesses, farmers, and makers.

  • Differentiation Through Product Curation

    Home Planet guided Welcome Cannabis to transcend conventions in the industry and highlight small, more varied independent producers against the larger conglomerates.

    Welcome Cannabis carved out a niche by curating brands that are: female and BIPOC led; producers with regenerative practices; socially-motivated brands working towards amnesty; and medicinal-grade cultivars.

  • Education

    Budtenders communicate brand values through service. Home Planet created a strong budtender training program. It empowered the budtenders to educate new and old consumers, make reliable product suggestions, and be ambassadors for the brands carried in Welcome Cannabis.

  • Partnerships and Collaborations

    Home Planet spearheaded various projects, including accessories and apparel for Welcome Cannabis with independent creatives and makers that reflected its values.

Cannabis is a highly regulated industry.

  • Authenticity

    Consumer insights, cultural strategy and community-led activations.

  • Collaborations

    We collaborated with our neighbours, LPs, local artists and makers, that reflected our brand values.

  • Community Grassroots Initiatives

    Feed & Weed
    Swim, Drink, Fish
    Cloud Club
    Native Arts Society

  • Immersive Experience

    Home Planet created an immersive experience, working with Welcome Cannabis to curate local artists in the Dundas West location, deliver customer service, and merchandizing to tell their cannabis brand story.

All retailers sell the same cannabis.

So we focused on purpose driven products.

We combined modern analytics with permaculture principles to make buying decisions.

  • Digital Space

    Home Planet created an online space that mirrors Welcome Cannabis’ values and enhance accessibility.

  • Creating a Narrative Throughline

  • Retail Design and Product Curation

  • Collaborations

Welcome Cannabis only existed during the time of climate crisis and a pandemic.

  • Takeout Window

    A take-out window allowed Welcome Cannabis to safely and comfortably provide service to customers during store closures and pandemic.

    And doubled as a DJ booth for Cloud Club.

  • Cloud Club

    Stream. Stroll. Support local.

    To support local businesses affected by lockdowns and COVID restrictions in our neighbourhood. Created space for small business and makers to share their goods and services. Made food accessible to others.

  • Feed & Weed

    Provided hot meals and harm reduction to encampment residents by collaborating with outreach programs.

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