To say that the cannabis industry is taking over the country by storm is an understatement. Now that it’s legal (or at least decriminalized) in many states, we can now see how rapidly the business is growing and how widely cannabis is becoming more available to almost everyone. But there are a few more cannabis facts that may or may not surprise you — such as the state with the most cannabis dispensaries. Hint: it’s not California!

Check out these interesting facts:

10 Cannabis Facts and Statistics

1. 14% of adult Americans use CBD.

Not everyone is into the psychoactive properties of THC. But many seek the relaxing effects of CBD. That’s why among 14% of the adult Americans who use it, 40% of them reported that they use CBD for pain relief, 20% of them use it to help deal with their anxiety, and 11% use it to have a good night’s sleep. Interestingly, according to Gallup, women are more likely to use CBD for anxiety, while men take CBD for their sleeping problems.

2. California is the largest cannabis market.

Californians seem to love their weed. According to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, cannabis sales in the state amounted to $5.3 billion in 2022. Surprisingly, it’s not as high as it was in 2021 — when the sales reached up to $5.77 billion; which makes 2021’s sales 8.2% higher than 2022. Nevertheless, marijuana sales in California are still the highest compared to other states.

3. Nearly half of adult Americans tried weed before.

Weed isn’t as taboo as it was anymore. In Gallup’s survey, it says that among the people they asked, 50% of Millennials tried weed before. However, what might surprise you is 49% of Gen X also admit to trying it. And 50% of the surveyed Baby Boomers also smoked or used weed before. If your parents were born somewhere between 1946-1990, there’s probably a 50% chance they experimented with the bud!

4. 37% of people take cannabis as a part of their workout sessions.

Working out while high on weed isn’t as outlandish as you might think! Eaze conducted a survey and found out that 37% of those who were asked said that they incorporate cannabis in their workout sessions — 22% of them use it as a part of their pre-workout, 20% take weed after their exercise, and 59% do both.

5. Oregon is the state that has the most cannabis dispensaries in the US.

Californians may be the ones to likely proclaim that they’re the country’s biggest stoners, but the state isn’t home to the most cannabis dispensaries per capita — it’s actually Oregon! According to Verilife’s report, “There are more than 660 dispensaries located throughout the state or 16.5 per 100,000 residents.” The next state with the most cannabis dispensaries is Oklahoma.

6. 9 out of 10 Americans are in favor of marijuana legalization.

These days, most Americans now believe in the benefits of cannabis. Based on Pew Research Center Survey, 88% of Americans think that marijuana should be legal. 59% believe that it should be for medicinal and recreational use, while 30% only want marijuana to be used solely for medical purposes. There are only 10% who don’t agree with marijuana being legalized at all.

7. Since the pandemic, more young adults are more willing to try or replace alcohol with cannabis.

According to Joe Bayern, president of Curaleaf, “The liberalization of the plant — and the increasing diversity among consumers who enjoy it — will continue as the general public become more interested in incorporating cannabis into their health and wellness routines.” In the company’s report, 42% of adults they surveyed turned to weed (or increased their consumption) since COVID struck the nation. 45% of them said they switched or reduced their alcohol consumption and replaced it with cannabis instead — 33% of them said that they even prefer weed.

8. It’s predicted that by 2026, there will be more legal marijuana than illicit ones.

Not everyone has access to weed. That’s why many opt to buy from sellers without a license — or they purchase weed illegally. Thankfully, by 2026, Americans will have more access to weed. The 2022 Whitney Economics U.S. Cannabis Supply Report predicts that because the cannabis industry is booming, more dispensaries will open and more investors will flock to the country to start a cannabis business.

9. The cannabis industry could reach up to $100 billion in sales by 2030.

That said, Wall Street analysts believe that the cannabis industry can further skyrocket by 2030 — and by then, the industry can become a $100 billion market.

10. President Joe Biden “pardons all prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana.”

Last October 2022, the President released a statement that he will have the Attorney General look into cases of those who were convicted for simple possession of marijuana. And those who are eligible to be pardoned, — will be pardoned. Because according to President Joe Biden, “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”

All in All,

It seems that 2023 is relishing the “green rush” era. These cannabis facts may change for the better — because most Americans believe that weed should be legalized and the cannabis industry is a feasible business to invest in for entrepreneurs.

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