Welcome to The Outlaw Report’s Q&A series, focused on the cannabis landscape of the Mid-Atlantic. Our series aims to shine a spotlight on the trailblazers and experts who are shaping the local cannabis industry. Through their first-hand experience and insights, we explore the successes, challenges and stories of businesses and individuals at the forefront of cannabis policy, business and innovation in the region.
We chatted with Alan Manstof about his unconventional path to launching Easyday Edibles. What began with a stove-top gummy experiment evolved—after decades of curiosity and a marketing bootcamp led by his son—into a brand defined by clean ingredients, visual flair, and a laid-back ethos. In this interview, Manstof reflects on the lessons learned from building a cannabis edibles brand in Washington, D.C., why every gummy deserves to be beautiful and how his “analog place” became a guiding philosophy for the business.
What inspired you to launch Easyday Edibles, and what does the name “Easyday” represent to you?
“Easyday” was not even a thought when I started to learn how to make a stove top gelatin gummy in 2018. I had always been interested in an edible since first making a Honey Slider circa 1970. (Essentially a soup spoon of ditch weed tossed into a warm frying pan, let it smoke a bit then add a teaspoon of honey..crunchy, but it worked!) The first actual name of what I was attempting was “One Lane Bridge.” That name meant to stop at the one lane bridge and let traffic go by. It really means to me to slow down in this digital age and evoke your Analog Place. The one lane bridge was my analog place. But I was talked out of this name by my marketing-savvy son who put me through four months of marketing exercises. At the end of that time the name and image appeared… as he said it would. And Easyday Edibles was created. Now Easyday means just that: slow down and enjoy the ride.
How does Easyday Edibles differentiate itself from other cannabis edible brands in the market?
Our unique two-pour two-flavor sun shapes are definitely different and there is nothing like this product in the marketplace. We start with very clean RO water. Add in raw sugar, pectin, tapioca syrup and natural botanicals to create this very clean and accurately dosed gummy. Our packaging is attractive and can stand up to the best players in the market.
How do you ensure consistency and quality across your product line?
We have set formulations and SOPs in place for each gummy profile that we produce. Our batches are produced on a regular weekly basis so the end user is always assured that their purchase is fresh and dosed correctly.
The packaging part of our operation is important as the final inspection of the gummies occurs and seconds are culled from the batch. Only beautiful Suns are allowed into the container. Then, a tamper evident seal is applied to ensure a good chain of custody.
How does Easyday Edibles engage with the local community in Washington, D.C.?
We participate in several local cannabis events and advise a few people in basic business practices.
Are there any local partnerships or collaborations you’d like to shout out that have been particularly meaningful for your brand?
DCXtracts has been a fantastic partner as we use their full spectrum oil in our products. We have several close relationships with proprietary ingredient companies.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to enter the cannabis industry?
Be patient. It’s a very long process, but step by step is the way to look at this.
How do you see the cannabis edibles market evolving in the next five years?
Over time all facets of the industry will change and evolve. But no one really knows. The federal level is still in flux and may never settle into a real national market. But that is speculation as well. One thing is certain: the popularity of all cannabis products will continue to grow. And edibles are the fastest growing segment right now alongside vape products.
To learn more about Easyday Edibles, visit their website.
