First Cannabis Products Franchise In South America Could Soon Land in The US: Meet Paraguay's Cannashop

By Hernán Panessi via El Planteo, adapted for Benzinga

"It fills me with pride to see so many women playing key roles throughout the production chain, from agricultural cultivation to the commercialization of finished products," says María José Rey, CEO of Hempar Group for the Cannashop franchise. This Paraguayan company is dedicated to making industrial cannabis products more accessible to consumers.

Under Rey's leadership, Cannashop has become the first franchise specializing in finished industrial cannabis products in Paraguay—and all of South America.

Founded in 2022, Cannashop set out with a clear mission: to improve quality of life in multiple ways. From the start, they have not only provided cannabis-derived products to consumers but also pioneered a franchise model that is both innovative and fully regulated—standing out for its exclusive focus on industrial cannabis goods.

Cannashop: Innovating And Expanding Paraguay's Cannabis Market

Through a diverse range of superfoods and CBD products, Cannashop has been carving out a space for itself within Paraguay's industrial cannabis sector. In late 2024, the brand made headlines across the region with its "420 Panettone," a holiday sweet bread made with industrial hemp flour.

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Paraguay Could Legalize Recreational Cannabis In March, Opening Dispensaries, Paying Farmers $10K+ Per Acre And Facilitating Transport To Brazil

From its inception, Cannashop was designed as a franchise model aimed at strategic expansion, ensuring accessibility for consumers. "Thanks to this approach, the brand quickly solidified itself as a dispensary chain, guaranteeing product availability at multiple locations throughout the country," explains Rey.

The key to their success? Innovation. Rey emphasizes, "We offer a unique market proposition, with a strong focus on consumer education, product quality, and accessibility—factors that have driven sustained growth and rapid market acceptance."

New Opportunities In The Global Market

Paraguay legalized non-psychoactive industrial cannabis in 2019 with Decree 2.725/2019, which established the legal framework for the production, industrialization, research and commercialization of cannabis-derived finished products.

Given this regulatory foundation, Cannashop is now in talks to expand internationally, targeting markets in Argentina, the United States and Germany.

"We're exploring opportunities in countries with favorable regulatory frameworks and growing demand for industrial cannabis products. Beyond Argentina, the U.S. and Germany, we are also looking at Latin American and European markets where industrial cannabis is gaining traction," Rey says.

Showcasing Paraguay's Hemp Industry

Currently, Cannashop offers nearly 200 finished products across various categories, including:

• Cosmetics: Body and hair oils, shampoos, soaps, perfumes.
• Supplements: Sublingual CBD oils.
• Food: Sauces, butter, pesto, teas.
• Phytotherapeutics: Creams for injuries, massage oils, CBD-infused ointments.
• Wellness and Recreational Products: Gummies, pods, CBD cigarettes, chocolates, pre-rolls and hemp flowers.

In South America, some of Cannashop's most popular items are its phytotherapeutic and wellness products. "Our customers choose these because of their benefits for relaxation, stress relief, and overall well-being," Rey explains. "That said, demand is strong across all our product categories."

As Cannashop eyes new markets, the company is also committed to promoting Paraguayan hemp, positioning it as a high-quality product in the global marketplace. "Beyond just selling products, our focus at Cannashop is on delivering wellness and making a positive impact on people's lives," Rey concludes.

This article is from an external unpaid contributor. It does not represent Benzinga’s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.