A recent survey reveals that in regions where cannabis is legal, over half of the users purchase their marijuana from retail stores.
The study, provided by New Frontier Data, indicates that 52% of current users primarily buy from physical dispensaries, while only 6% mainly purchase from dealers in areas where adult-use marijuana is sanctioned.
The findings also show that “43% of consumers identify a physical dispensary as their main source of cannabis, an increase from 34% in the previous year, while those who primarily buy from dealers dropped to 10% from 13% in 2022.”
“Notably, 29% of buyers in unregulated markets also prefer dispensaries over dealers, who account for 17%. This suggests that many are willing to cross state lines to access cannabis legally, with 42% of them having obtained cannabis from another state,” explained Dr. Amanda Reiman, chief knowledge officer at New Frontier Data, in the survey analysis.
With numerous states and the District of Columbia legalizing recreational cannabis, obtaining it has become as routine as shopping at a grocery or drug store.
As Dr. Reiman explains, “For many, buying cannabis has become another stop during their daily commute.”
She adds, “The evolution of cannabis purchasing is starting to mirror traditional retail practices. Consumers commonly choose dispensaries based on quality and selection of products, price, expertise of the staff, and location, similar to how they select their favorite grocery stores.”
“A holdover from the days of prohibition is that consumers often return to the same dispensary mainly due to familiarity, a factor chosen by 58% of consumers. This echoes my earlier research with medical cannabis users who also preferred known dispensaries during prohibition due to established rules and procedures, reducing the anxiety associated with purchase risks. However, as the legal market grows, factors like location, staff knowledge, and selection are expected to dominate consumer preferences,” Reiman remarked.
She concluded: “The trend of consumers turning to physical dispensaries is expected to continue with the expansion of legal markets, including those previously considered illicit. The key factors driving dispensary patronage will increasingly reflect typical retail dynamics, with consumers becoming more comfortable with cannabis as a commercial product.”
CHECK THIS: Dealers Outperform Dispensaries, Remain Primary Source for Cannabis
