Today marks a pivotal moment in the history of BLAZE, and more broadly, in the evolution of cannabis retail technology. After months of laying the groundwork, we are excited to launch our new look and vision for BLAZE; a signal that the next chapter of cannabis retail has begun. We have rebuilt our core software to embed powerful artificial intelligence into every part of your retail operation and leading the way into a new era of AI retail.
This comprehensive transformation redefines our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and growth for our clients. This isn’t just an update; it’s a fundamental shift towards an AI-native future, underscored by a fresh brand identity and the launch of groundbreaking new initiatives like BLAZE Labs and the release of, “Herbie,” our AI-powered budtender.
A New Logo for A New Era
The first thing you’ll notice is our brand new logo and website. This isn’t merely a cosmetic change; it’s a powerful visual representation of our renewed energy, clear vision, and unwavering commitment to pioneering the future of cannabis retail. Our new look signals a vibrant, forward-thinking approach, reflecting the intelligent, dynamic, and intuitive platform we are building. It embodies the speed, precision, and innovative spirit that will define BLAZE moving forward. This logo is more than just an icon; it’s a beacon for the next generation of cannabis technology.
Building an AI-Powered Operating System
The heart of BLAZE lies in our declaration as an AI-first cannabis software company. This distinction is crucial. Many companies are attempting to integrate AI as an add-on feature, a tangential tool bolted onto existing infrastructure. At BLAZE, we’ve taken a different approach. We are rebuilding our core platform from the ground up, embedding artificial intelligence into the very fabric of our software suite.
What does it mean to be “AI-first”? It means intelligence isn’t an option; it’s inherent. From our point-of-sale to inventory management, e-commerce, and beyond, AI is working tirelessly behind the scenes, learning, optimizing, and predicting. This deep integration allows for unprecedented levels of automation, personalization, and operational intelligence. Our clients across the US will no longer just be managing their businesses; they will be operating them with a level of insight and efficiency previously unimaginable.
Our AI-native approach is designed to deliver tangible benefits:
Automation for Labor & Cost Savings: Imagine repetitive tasks like inventory reconciliation, reordering, and data entry handled autonomously. Our AI streamlines these workflows, freeing up valuable staff time and reducing operational costs.
Increased Sales & Revenue: AI-powered recommendations, dynamic pricing adjustments, and predictive demand forecasting mean higher average basket sizes, optimized product assortment, and ultimately, a healthier bottom line.
Operational Intelligence & Efficiency: Gain real-time insights into every facet of your business. Our AI analyzes data to provide actionable intelligence, helping you optimize staffing, reduce waste, and make smarter, faster decisions.
Innovation Acceleration with BLAZE Labs
To maintain our position at the cutting edge and ensure our clients always have access to the latest advancements, we are incredibly excited to introduce BLAZE Labs. This dedicated innovation hub is where we will incubate, test, and rapidly deploy new, cutting-edge AI features and solutions.
Being a customer obsessed organization, it’s all about delivering value to our customers. BLAZE Labs has allowed our team more freedom to quickly create tools to solve specific retailer problems in collaboration with their needs without waiting for the roadmap. BLAZE Labs embodies our commitment to a fast-paced development cycle, ensuring that our clients benefit from state-of-the-art technology as soon as it’s ready.
Herbie, The AI-Powered Budtender
As the most symbol of our new AI-first approach, we are excited to introduce “Herbie,” our intelligent AI-powered budtender. Herbie is a revolutionary tool designed to deliver personalized, expert advice to every online shopper.
The days of browsing a static, overwhelming online menu are over. Herbie is a virtual assistant embedded directly into BLAZE ECOM, designed to replicate the personalized experience of talking to a knowledgeable staff member. Online shoppers no longer have to guess what to buy; they can chat with Herbie about specific preferences, desired effects, or even scenarios. This intelligent interaction empowers customers to make confident purchasing decisions, boosting their satisfaction and increasing your conversions.
Herbie makes the entire online shopping experience intelligent and effortless. Customers can engage directly by asking open-ended questions—like, “What’s good for relaxing after work?”—or they can simply select from a menu of example prompts to get started. Herbie instantly analyzes their input and provides highly personalized product recommendations along with any current deals or promotions. This level of personalized guidance eliminates shopping friction, ensures customers always find the right product
Quantifying the ROI of AI
Many cannabis operators are rightly cautious about investing in new technology right now. That’s exactly why we’re so focused on measurable outcomes. AI isn’t about flashy features—it’s about optimizing labor, revenue, and margin. We’re quantifying the return on investment (ROI) for our retailers in three critical areas:
Labor Efficiency: AI-driven workflows automate repetitive tasks like menu updates, product tagging, and inventory forecasting, reducing manual work by 20–30%.
Sales Conversion: Our AI recommendation engine (like “Herbie”) is already proving its worth, contributing to roughly a third of items in online orders for our pilot partners. That’s a direct, measurable sales lift.
Compliance Automation: By automatically flagging reporting discrepancies or labeling errors, we help operators avoid costly violations and fines.
For most retailers, this means hours saved every week, fewer compliance surprises, and higher average cart sizes. We see AI as the next phase of efficiency software—one that pays for itself almost immediately.
From System of Record to System of Action
Historically, retail software was merely a system of record—a place where you stored information and had to dig into reports to find insights.
BLAZE is fundamentally changing that, shifting to an intelligent system of action that acts on data automatically. Our platform moves beyond passive data management to proactive business management, alerting you when margins dip, suggesting restocks before you run out, or adjusting promotions based on real-time performance. This intelligent core connects your POS, E-commerce, payments, inventory, and marketing, creating an AI-powered operating system that focuses on automating strategy. For retailers, this means less time looking for answers and more time executing on growth.
This transformation is a declaration of our vision for the future of cannabis retail. We believe that an AI-powered platform, driven by rapid innovation from BLAZE Labs, and exemplified by powerful tools like the AI Shopping Assistant, is essential for retailers to thrive.
Ready to experience the AI-first advantage? Stop losing money to manual work and start building an intelligent dispensary. Schedule a demo today to see our new platform and meet “Herbie,” your future AI budtender. Don’t just adapt—lead.