Mark Bonner, the CEO of Cannaverse Technologies and the mastermind behind Cannaland, has taken it upon himself to address the fragmentation and political challenges in the cannabis industry. Drawing from his background in renewable energy, Bonner recognized the potential for a more streamlined and secure approach. Thus, he created Cannaland, the world’s first cannabis platform powered by blockchain technology, with the goal of leading the industry towards a more unified and sustainable future.
Given Bonner’s extensive experience, Cointelegraph sat down with him to discuss his vision for the industry and the role that the metaverse plays in it.
Cointelegraph: Critics often believe that the metaverse is only for enthusiasts. Do you agree, or do you see potential for broader benefits?
Mark Bonner: The metaverse offers pioneers, thought leaders, and decision-makers a platform to innovate and experiment as digital and virtually enhanced worlds continue to evolve. In Cannaland, whether you’re a brand owner, a B2B company involved in the cannabis industry, or a curious consumer navigating the dispensary environment, the metaverse can provide an immersive experience for enthusiasts, consumers, and the B2B community.
CT: How do you think an immersive experience adds value to the industry and the world?
MB: The evolution from Web2 to Web3’s immersive experience will redefine how we interact, transact, and operate in a virtual environment. It goes beyond the capabilities of our physical world’s Web2. This transformation will shape productivity and our overall engagement in the virtual realm.
CT: Which industries do you believe will be impacted by the metaverse?
MB: The metaverse has the power to impact various industries. For instance, in branding and advertising, businesses can create a 360-degree immersive experience for consumers, allowing them to engage with products and services in innovative ways. Additionally, the real estate industry can benefit from virtual land and property sales, enabling consumers to purchase and lease property in a digital environment. Developers and real estate companies can also create exciting projects for consumers to enjoy in the virtual world.
CT: Can you provide a real-world example of how these industries can benefit from the metaverse?
MB: Cannabis faced challenges in terms of growth, advertising, and distribution. To address this, I created a space where advertising, transactions (with a native token), and delivery of cannabis-related products could all happen in one place. This was unheard of in the cannabis community.
CT: What is your vision for the cannabis industry?
MB: My vision is to create the world’s first cannabis metaverse that revolutionizes cannabis product marketing, manufacturing, and merchandising with an innovative blockchain payment system. I aim to empower everyone involved in the cannabis industry, from cultivators to retailers, while addressing the gaps that currently exist.
CT: What can users expect from Cannaland, the world’s first cannabis-themed metaverse?
MB: Cannaland immerses users in a world of businesses, services, and products, encouraging participation and transactions. The platform offers virtual land and property sales, shopping malls, and shop-in-shop options. It also provides digital architectural solutions. Users can easily purchase or lease land and the native token through a mobile app, and a game app allows them to “play-to-earn” and “play-to-learn.”
Education is also a focus, with collaboration spaces for higher educational facilities, doctors, and researchers to study and publish cannabis-related information. Cannaland aims to educate governments, authorities, and universities about the industry rather than punish participants.
In terms of entertainment, Cannaland offers music concerts, sports events, consumption lounges, and interactive movies. Users can also explore virtual reality cannabis cities as tourist destinations, including famous landmarks like Freetown Christiania, the best coffee shops in the Netherlands, and Uruguay, the pioneering cannabis country.
Learn more about Cannaland here.
Disclaimer: Cointelegraph does not endorse any content or product on this page. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions, and this article should not be considered investment advice.