The cannabis industry has historically been divided, both in terms of location and politics. However, Mark Bonner, the CEO of Cannaverse Technologies and the creator of Cannaland, decided to take matters into his own hands and bring unity to the industry.
Coming from a background in renewable energy, Bonner saw the potential for a more efficient and secure approach in the cannabis industry. He set out to create a metaverse called Cannaland, which is powered by blockchain technology. Bonner is a leader in the industry, driving the movement towards a more unified and sustainable future.
Given his expertise, the team at Cointelegraph felt it was essential to interview Bonner to discuss his vision for the industry and the role that the metaverse plays in it.
Cointelegraph: Many critics believe that the metaverse is only for enthusiasts. Do you agree, or do you believe that there are other potential beneficiaries?
Mark Bonner: The metaverse provides a platform for pioneers, thought leaders, and decision-makers to innovate and experiment as digital and virtual worlds continue to evolve. In Cannaverse Technologies’ Cannaland, the metaverse landscape is designed to provide an immersive experience for brand owners, specialized cannabis industry businesses, and even canna-curious consumers who may find navigating physical dispensaries intimidating. It caters to both enthusiasts and the broader B2B community.
CT: How do you see the immersive experience benefiting both the cannabis industry and the world as a whole?
MB: The transition from today’s 2D Web2 to tomorrow’s 3D Web3 immersive experience will redefine how we interact, transact, and operate in a virtual environment. It will go beyond the capabilities of our current physical world’s Web2. This transformation will significantly impact productivity and redefine our digital experiences.
CT: Which industries do you think will be impacted by the metaverse?
MB: The metaverse has the potential to impact various industries. One example is branding and advertising. By utilizing the metaverse platform, businesses can create an immersive 360-degree experience for consumers, allowing them to interact with products and services in a more engaging and interactive way. This is especially beneficial for B2B and B2C companies looking for innovative ways to connect with their audience.
The real estate industry is another vertical that can benefit from the metaverse. Through virtual land and property sales, consumers can buy and lease property in a digital environment. Developers and real estate companies can create exciting projects, such as shopping malls and architectural solutions, that enhance the consumer experience in a virtual world.
CT: Can you provide a real-world example to demonstrate how these industries can benefit from the metaverse?
MB: The cannabis industry faced challenges regarding advertising, transactions, and product delivery. I realized that creating a space where you could advertise, transact with a native token, and deliver cannabis-related products would be a game-changer. This was unprecedented 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, revolutionizing cannabis product marketing, manufacturing, and merchandising through an innovative blockchain payment system. I aim to empower individuals and businesses involved in the cannabis industry, allowing them to scale their brands and address existing gaps within the industry. Cannaland is a digital smart city that connects every aspect of the cannabis and hemp communities.
CT: What can users expect from the world’s first cannabis-themed metaverse?
MB: Users can expect an immersive experience in Cannaland, surrounded by businesses, services, products, and other appealing digital lifestyle items. The metaverse encourages participation and transactions. Cannaland offers virtual land and property sales, shopping malls, shop-in-shop options, and digital architectural solutions. The platform also includes a mobile app for easy land purchase/lease, a native token, and a game app where users can “play-to-earn” and “play-to-learn.”
Education is another focus in Cannaland, with Cannalearn providing a space for collaboration between educational facilities, doctors, researchers, and universities to study and store cannabis-related information. The aim is to educate governments, authorities, and universities about cannabis rather than punish those who engage with it.
In terms of entertainment, Cannaland offers music concerts, sports events, consumption lounges, interactive movies, storytelling, and socializing in the metaverse. Virtual reality cannabis cities in Cannaland can become tourist destinations, featuring famous cannabis landmarks from around the world.
Learn more about Cannaland.
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