US
Black Buffalo, a Chicago startup, is introducing a new smokeless tobacco product that gives users a buzz without additional harmful elements found in traditional dip products.
According to co-founder Jeffery David, Black Buffalo offers a smokeless tobacco alternative that has the same look, feel smell, and experience as traditional dipping products like Copenhagen or Skoal, without using tobacco leaves or stems. Black Buffalo comes in both long-cut and pouch varieties and contains pharmaceutical-grade nicotine.
Replacing tobacco is a specific variety of lettuce that is grown using conditions that give it a tobacco-like texture.
The company has raised US$9.75 million from Pendyne Capital, Watchfire Ventures, and Open Pantry Food Marts, and, according to David, has “tens of thousands” of customers who purchase the product entirely on its website.
He went on to say, “A great many people still want the benefits of the nicotine experience, but just don’t want the tobacco,” he said. “And that’s what Black Buffalo is offering—all of the ritual you would get with a traditional tobacco product, without the tobacco leaf or stem.”