Trademark applications generally act as a barometer for the economy overall, and for the rise and fall of particular industries and general cultural trends. For example, see my prior posts on drones, cupcakes, and beer.
In recent years, several states have legalized the use of marijuana. Other states may soon follow. The USPTO trademark filings reflect the growth in the industry:
- 2005 USPTO trademark filings featuring “cannabis or marijuana” in the description of goods or services: 9
- 2011 USPTO trademark filings featuring “cannabis or marijuana” in the description of goods or services: 71
- 2013 USPTO trademark filings featuring “cannabis or marijuana” in the description of goods or services: 83
- 2015 USPTO trademark filings featuring “cannabis or marijuana” in the description of goods or services: 433
I imagine that the coming years will see even more growth in this industry, and related business, and a correlating continued increase in USPTO trademark filings.
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