Top investors say these 11 buzzy, under-the-radar consumer cannabis startups are set to raise fresh rounds and blow up this year

Startup: Mary's Medicinals

VC: Todd Harrison, chief investment officer at CB1 Capital

Relationship: Investor

What it does: Mary's Medicinals CBD and THC containing consumer products, including vapes and tablets, as well as cosmetics and pet care products. The startup also has a line of CBD-infused women's cosmetics at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Why it's hot: "In addition to a growing chorus of raving fans, the company is exploring use-cases with the minor cannabinoids, which promise an array of new therapeutic benefits," said Harrison.

Startup: Leune

VC: Karan Wadhera, managing partner at Casa Verde

Relationship: None

What it does: Leune is a female-focused, Los Angeles-based cannabis brand that sells pre-rolled joints and vaporizer pens.

Why it's hot: Leune "represents the Cannabis 3.0 consumer," said Wadhera. "It has beautiful, small footprint packaging, high aesthetic, and a consistent quality product."

Startup: Canndescent

Investors: Phyto Partners, Merida Capital Altitude Investment Management

Recommended by: Larry Schnurmacher, managing partner at Phyto Partners

What it does: Founded by a Harvard MBA, Canndescent is one of the original luxury cannabis brands. The California-based company sells pre-rolled joints as well as marijuana flower.

Why it's hot: Canndescent is the "#1 luxury cannabis brand," said Schnurmacher. "They were the first to abandon traditional strain names and direct their product to a high-end market."

Startup: The Lord Jones

VC: Emily Paxhia, founding partner at Poseidon Asset Management

Relationship: None

What it does: The Lord Jones makes CBD-infused skincare products, body lotions, oils, and tinctures. The company has recently inked a partnership with The Standard Hotel group and SoulCycle.

Why it's hot: "Lord Jones is recently smart about leveraging e-commerce channels," said Paxhia. "They're positioned really well with their partnerships and capture lots of market share."

Startup: prima

Investors: Greycroft Ventures, Lerer Hippeau

Recommended by: Dana Settle, partner at Greycroft Ventures

Recent raise: $3.3 million

What it does: Prima is a California-based, consumer CBD startup founded by The Honest Company co-founder Christopher Gavigan. The company sells CBD oils and skincare products online.

Why it's hot: Settle told Business Insider that she views CBD as a rapidly growing health-and-wellness category. "It's almost too bad that CBD is inextricably linked to cannabis," she said, "because it has such powerful healing qualities to it."

Startup: Cann

VC: Sean Stiefel, CEO at Navy Capital

Relationship: Investor

What it does: Cann makes low-dose CBD and THC-infused beverages for the California market.

Why it's hot: Cann is the "most exciting low-dose beverage concept we have seen," said Steifel. "Awesome branding, and it has two founders from Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business who worked at Bain."

Startup: Old Pal

Investors: Canopy Rivers

Recommended by: Narbe Alexandrian, president at Canopy Rivers

What it does: Old Pal is a low-cost cannabis brand that grows and distributes raw flower and pre-rolled joints in the California market.

Why it's hot: "They are proudly trying to capture the low end of the market by licensing their brand to producers for low-priced cannabis," said Alexandrian. They have the highest volume of sales in California, according to data from Headset, said Alexandrian, and a "very strong marketing background has led to Old Pal becoming an immediate success."

Startup: Dosist

Investors: White Owl Capital Partners, others

VC: Vikas Desai, partner at Welcan Capital

Relationship: None

What it does: Dosist makes precision-controlled THC and CBD vaporizers that are designed for specific moods or effects.

Why it's hot: Dosist products are top sellers in the California market, said Desai. Plus, Desai said he expects the company will raise a "very large round" next time they hit the funding circuit.

Startup: High Beauty

VC: Narbe Alexandrian, president of Canopy Rivers

Relationship: Investor

What it does: High Beauty makes and distributes high-end cannabis-based skincare products focused on female consumers.

Why it's hot: "CBD products have difficulties scaling across states and countries due to the inherent legality of the products," said Alexandrian. "High Beauty has created a line of hemp seed oil products (branded as cannabis) that are currently being sold internationally. Their strategy of building an international brand first and then adding CBD, is a strategy that can win. They've been showcased in dozens of publications, in the Oscars celebrity swag bag and had a big presence at Coachella."

Startup: Caliva

Investors: Joe Montana, Carol Bartz, other angel investors

Recommended by: Carol Bartz, former Yahoo CEO and angel investor

Recent raise: $75 million

What it does: Caliva is a dispensary chain and marijuana brand in California that sells both CBD and THC containing products in brick-and-mortar stores and online.

Why it's hot: "Their philosophy and aspiration to be the number one trusted lifestyle brand in cannabis resonates with me," said Bartz. "Caliva is setting out to make it the highest quality, safest, and most reliable cannabis products and to provide information and education to customers to make it all accessible."