Visitors to the state have consistently accounted for nearly one-third of all adult-use sales in Illinois, with 31% of sales being to out-of-staters in October.
Recreational cannabis in Illinois continues to boom, with sales in October this year surpassing $131 million, according to state data.
Sales continue to grow annually, and with two months in the year left to go, the state is on track to beat its 2021 sales totals of $1.3 billion. Through October, adult-use sales totaled $1.2 billion, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
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In 2020, the first full year of recreational cannabis sales, Illinois sold $669 million in cannabis products.
Visitors to the state have consistently accounted for nearly one-third of all adult-use sales in Illinois, with 31% of sales being to out-of-staters in October.
In addition, medical marijuana sales in Illinois hit $28.4 million for the month of October, according to data from the state Department of Public Health. Medical sales totals for the year so far are just under $294 million, and overall medical sales since 2015 have reached $1.5 billion.
And there’s likely only more growth on the way, with more retailers and other business types slated to launch in coming months.
Clearly, success across the board is not guaranteed, but recent history has shown that cannabis legalization has enjoyed significant victories at the polls.
Voters in five mostly red states will vote Tuesday on whether or not to legalize cannabis for adult use: Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota. And, despite their conservative leanings, there’s a good chance most of them could say yes to cannabis, which underscores the increasingly bipartisan support for legalization.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, speaking at 2022 SXSW, said it best: “I’ll let you in on a secret: Republicans like to get high just as much as Democrats.” Naturally, if O’Rourke is elected as Governor of Texas, he says he’ll legalize weed posthaste so as to join “most of the rest of the country, most of the rest of the free world.”
Clearly, success across the board is not guaranteed but recent history has shown that cannabis legalization has enjoyed significant victories at the polls.
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Legal Cannabis Is On The Rise And The Sky Has Not Fallen
If adult-use cannabis legalization indeed passes in these five states, the number of fully legal weed states could jump from 19 to 24, not counting D.C. and two US territories and this could fortify the case for legalizing weed at the federal level. Another 18 states and one US territory have legal medical marijuana programs. That’s quite a broad swath of the United States with legal weed in one form or another and the sky thankfully has not fallen.
All of this begs an important question: why hasn’t the President, who needs every ounce of support he can get, legalized the consumption and possession of cannabis nationwide? The President’s pardon last month of simple federal cannabis violations notwithstanding, full federal decriminalization and across-the-board expungement would do wonders for the country, the economy, the ghastly over-crowded prisons and not to mention the ratings of the current Oval Office resident and his party. After all, national polling suggests that most Americans think marijuana should be legal in some form as well as cannabis banking.
In addition to these five states that will be voting to legalize cannabis, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin will be voting on local cannabis ballot questions and Colorado is voting on whether or not to legalize psychedelics.
The Czech Republic is the first country in Europe to draw inspiration from Germany by making a plan to legalize marijuana.
The Czech Republic is following in Germany’s footsteps. Forbes reports that the country will soon be legalizing cannabis and will coordinate a plan with Germany in order to share data and make the legal transition as seamless as possible.
The country is currently drafting a bill to be presented in March 2023. Legalization is expected to go into full effect in January 2024.
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“We are in contact with our German colleagues, and we have repeatedly confirmed that we want to coordinate by consulting each other on our proposals,” shared Jindřich Vobořil, the country’s drug commissioner, in a Facebook post.
“My colleagues in Germany are talking about permitted quantities, and they don’t have the cannabis clubs that we foresee. I certainly want to hold the cannabis clubs until my last breath. This model seems very useful to me, at least for the first few years.”
While the Czech Republic hasn’t legalized cannabis, it’s considered one of the more progressive countries in Europe when it comes to cannabis laws. In 2010, it decriminalized cannabis possession and in 2013 it legalized the drug for medical use. The Czech Republic also cultivates hemp with 1% of THC for industrial purposes; other countries in the EU that allow for this cultivation have much lower tolerances of THC.
Legalizing recreational cannabis will likely produce some revenue, especially since the country has a relaxed attitude towards the drug, with citizens more likely to embrace the change.
Per Vobořil, cannabis will be available to purchase in licensed pharmacies and dispensaries. Municipalities will also play a significant part in this nascent cannabis plan, having the choice to allow or ban cannabis sales in their area. The commissioner has also talked about the importance of preventing smoking, meaning that the government will probably encourage and promote other forms of cannabis consumption.
Last month, Germany announced that they were legalizing marijuana. The bill that’s being drafted will allow adults to purchase cannabis in pharmacies and specialty shops like coffee houses. Cannabis will also be produced domestically, avoiding the possibility of international conflict.
When you’re shopping for a cannabis product, you should definitely take the percentage of TAC into account in addition to the THC in order to make an informed decision. Here’s why.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the information on cannabis labels like THC vs. TAC? After all, there are a lot of acronyms, percentages, and ingestion methods to learn about, and finding the right product may seem tricky at first. The good news is that with a little Canna 101 education, you’ll know exactly what your product label means.
While THC may be the most well-known cannabinoid next to CBD, the TAC number may be the most important figure on a cannabis label. Exactly what does TAC stand for, and why is it relevant? And, does TAC get you higher?
What is TAC?
TAC stands for Total Active Cannabinoids, which refers to the concentration of active cannabinoids present when the cannabis was tested in a lab. In contrast to pharmaceuticals, which typically consist of only one active compound, cannabis consists of a variety of active molecules.
According to estimates, cannabis (hemp and marijuana) contains over 400 compounds, with over 100 of them being cannabinoids. Generally, they can be categorized as follows:
Cannabinoids
Terpenoids
Flavonoids
Alkaloids
Glycoproteins
Cannabis products are measured by their TAC, which measures the concentration of total active cannabinoids. Some key cannabinoids to consider include:
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Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Tetrahydrocannabinol is commonly referred to as THC, which is the main constituent of marijuana. Scientifically, it is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or delta-9-THC in its active state. In addition, this produces the euphoria or “high” associated with marijuana consumption. It is generally believed that a high produced from high concentrations of THC will be more intense than one with low concentrations of the ingredient.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
In terms of popularity and demand, CBD is perhaps the best-known and most in-demand cannabinoid, in addition to THC. CBD has a range of potential health benefits including relieving stress and inflammation. The TAC includes any CBD in your product. Most importantly, CBD is non-intoxicating, in contrast to THC.
Cannabinol (CBN)
CBN is commonly thought of as the sleep cannabinoid. There is a wide range of therapeutic effects associated with non-intoxicating CBN.According to early research, cannabinol may reduce pain and improve sleep.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
As a non-intoxicating compound, CBG may reduce the psychoactive effects of THC, similarly to CBD. By doing so, cannabis users can enjoy the benefits of THC without being impaired by intense highs.
While this effect may be mediated by the endocannabinoid system, this effect could also be due to CBG’s effects on the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, which dampens sympathetic nervous system activity.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
While this compound was first identified 50 years ago, its benefits remain unclear. Nevertheless,it is known that similarly to THC and CBD, CBC also derives from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). However, not much is known about how the less common cannabinoids affect human biology.
TAC is often mistakenly referred to as Total Aerobic Count by novices in the industry. It differs from Total Active Cannabinoids in that it refers to a different aspect of the plant’s composition. Using the total aerobic count, you can measure how many microbial cells are present in the cannabis sample.
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THC vs TAC: Why do they differ?
As the name implies, TAC specifies the chemical composition of any hemp or cannabis plant by providing a list of its active cannabinoids. Therefore, TAC represents the product’s total cannabinoid levels. In contrast to THC, which is just one compound, TAC takes into account the entire spectrum of active cannabinoids contained within the product.
How are THC and TAC related?
There is a significant interaction between THC and TAC components. For example, CBD can potentially decrease anxiety from THC, altering the overall psychoactive experience.
Also, it is worth noting that certain TAC cannabinoids, for example, CBGA, contribute to the production of THC. CBGA, a form of CBG that is acidic, breaks down into CBG and then breaks down further into other cannabinoids, such as THC.
How does TAC influence the entourage effect?
In theory, the entourage effect describes the synergistic interaction of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis. According to the theory, all the cannabis plant’s components, including phytocannabinoids and terpenes, enhance each other’s effects.
The TAC plays a major role in the entourage effect.However, along with cannabinoids, there are other compounds of importance, including fatty acids, terpenes, and flavonoids. And although the majority of the other compounds are not well understood, the entourage effect relies on all of them.
Cannabis strains are characterized by their unique flavors due to terpenes. Cannabis crops are not the only crops that produce terpenes, as every plant, fruit, and flower produces them. Some common terpenes include limonene, pinene, linalool, and eucalyptol. Moreover, terpenes can exert psychoactive effects, which is why some terpenes are sedating.
Flavonoids, however, provide plant pigments, and are particularly noteworthy for their antioxidant properties. Aside from this, the mechanism by which they contribute to the entourage effect must still be explored.
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THC vs. TAC: key takeaways
So, what’s the verdict? Is THC better than TAC? As we mentioned earlier, that’s not really the point of this comparison. The purpose of comparing TAC vs THC is not to identify which is more beneficial or “better” in terms of purity or potency. Instead, it means that when you’re looking for a cannabinoid product, whether it be for medicinal or recreational use, you should definitely take the percentage of TAC into account in addition to the THC in order to make an informed decision.
The TAC percentage provides a more detailed picture of the entire cannabis product. However, if strength is your main concern, you may want to look for a product that has a higher percentage of THC. Of course, it’s important to remember that everyone reacts differently to cannabinoids, so alwaysstart with a low dose and increase as needed.
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In August, the DOJ asked a federal court to dismiss Fried’s lawsuit, arguing it would be too “dangerous to trust regular marijuana users to exercise sound judgment.”
A Federal Court dismissed Nikki Fried’s Second Amendment lawsuit against the federal government seeking to allow medical marijuana patients to buy and own firearms.
Fried is Florida’s agriculture and consumer services commissioner.
US District Judge Allen Winsor wrote in the Friday ruling that “Florida’s medical marijuana users are ‘unlawful user[s] of . . . [a] controlled substance,’ so this law makes it a crime for them to possess firearms.”
The lawsuit argues that there is a conflict between state and federal law and that federal policy requires medical marijuana (MMJ) cardholders to choose between their state constitutional right to MMJ and their Second Amendment right.
“No patient should have to choose between medicine and employment, a roof over their head, access to capital or their Constitutional rights,” Fried said adding that the country’s marijuana policies are “irrational, inconsistent, and incoherent.”
Fried, a medical marijuana cardholder and gun owner, explained that MMJ patients face felony charges if they lie about their marijuana use on a federal firearm application.
In July,Fried’s lawyers and other plaintiffs argued that under the recent SCOTUS ruling, the current federal policy banning those who admit to using marijuana in a background check could not be enforced.
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In August, the DOJ asked a federal court to dismiss Fried’s lawsuit, arguing it would be too “dangerous to trust regular marijuana users to exercise sound judgment.”
Fried stated that she was disappointed that the DOJ decided to “double down on harmful prohibition policies. DOJ’s argument is as offensive as it is inaccurate.”
“I will never stop looking for outside-the-box ways we can further this fight until we achieve full and equitable legalization,” Fried said at the time.
Dismissal Highlights
Now, several months after the DOJ urged a federal court to dismiss the lawsuit, the ruling came in, with the federal court siding with the DOJ. The core of the judge’s ruling lies in the argument that individuals who consume cannabis are engaging in illegal activity at the federal level, even though medical marijuana has been legalized at the state level. This makes for the precedent to refute their gun rights.
“Laws keeping guns from the mentally ill likewise flow from the historical tradition of keeping guns from those in whose hands they could be dangerous,” the judge wrote. “Plaintiffs recoil at being compared to the mentally ill…but one does not have to label marijuana users mentally ill to recognize that both categories of people can be dangerous when armed. Although the prohibition reaches those habitually using marijuana (even if not currently under the influence), habitual drug users are analogous to other groups the government has historically found too dangerous to have guns.”
Furthermore, Winsor explained that this right can be retrieved, saying, “unlawful drug users can regain their Second Amendment rights by simply ending their drug use.”
Unlike products that are skyrocketing in price, cannabis is still illegal on a federal level, and therefore not regulated the same way.
The rise of inflation and increasing prices feels inescapable right now. From the grocery store to the news to politician’s speeches on the campaign trail, increased costs are currently embedded in everyone’s mind. For those who enjoy cannabis recreationally, or rely on its medical benefits, this talk of rising prices may have you worried about the price of weed. So, in the midst of this – how much does weed cost?
As we have previously reported, however, the price of cannabis is not rising with the rate of inflation. In fact, it is reaching astonishing lows in some cases. According to Cannabis Benchmarks’ recent U.S. Cannabis Spot Index, “Both Colorado’s and California’s spot prices for wholesale flower fell to new all-time lows this week with the outdoor harvest yet to come to market in full force.”
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This dip in prices may have you wondering what is going on in the cannabis market. More importantly, it might have you wondering how much weed costs these days, exactly. But the answer is a bit tricky, mostly because it is still illegal on a federal level. Each state sets its own marijuana policies, and in turn the price of weed varies from state to state.
On average, according toOxfordTreatment.com, the national average for an ounce of high quality weed is currently $326, an ounce of medium quality weed is $266, and the national average price of a joint is $7.59. With this said, prices are not likely to rise in the next few months, and could even drop further overall. But this, of course, all depends on where you live. Perhaps the best question to ask in these uncertain economic times is where weed is the most expensive, and where it is the cheapest.
Where Is Marijuana Most Expensive?
Topping the list as the most expensive place to buy weed in the United States is Washington D.C., where, according toOxfordTreatment.com, an ounce of high quality weed is $597.88.
Next on the list is North Dakota, where an ounce of the same weed costs $383.6, followed by Virginia, where it costs $364.89. “These are places where marijuana use is somewhat restricted: In D.C. it is illegal to purchase, in North Dakota it’s only legal for medical use, and in Virginia it’s not legal at any level,” according to the samesite.
To put it in even simpler terms, while a joint on average costs $7.59, in the Nation’s Capital, you are likely to pay almost double, at $13.92 a pop.
Where Is Marijuana Cheapest?
What most weed enthusiasts are really after is knowing where they can find the cheapest good weed in the country. If that’s what you’re looking for, head West. The state with the lowest price for quality weed is Oregon, where, according to the same Oxford Treatment data, an ounce of high quality weed will cost you just $210.75. The second cheapest state to buy weed is another West Coast state, Washington. Third on the list is Colorado, where an ounce of high quality weed is $241.74.
All three of these states have legal medical and recreational weed. The markets are well established in these states, as is the industry competition. This means there is ample supply and competition, which likely contributes to these lower rates for quality cannabis.
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Why the Price of Weed Is Falling
One statistic that puzzles some who follow the price of weed is why it has seemed to drop in the midst of the inflationary times of 2022. According to Andrew Livingston, director of economics and research at the Denver-based cannabis law firm Vicente Sederberg LLP, there are several reasons for this, including “heavy competition within the regulated market; high taxation rates; the undercutting of prices by illicit or unregulated operators, including street dealers; and the natural growing pains that come with running a business in uncharted territory,” he told CNN.
Everything from the illicit market to increased competition in established legal markets contributes to the low price of cannabis today. Also, unlike products that are skyrocketing in price, cannabis is still illegal on a federal level, and therefore not regulated the same way.
As Zoë Plakias, an assistant professor of agricultural, environmental and development economics at Ohio State University told Courthouse News Service, “If restrictions on the sale of cannabis were lifted, if cannabis was legalized at the federal level, and we saw trade across states, I think we’d see cannabis look much more like other types of markets.” Until that day, the price of weed will likely be more unpredictable and susceptible to many outside factors.
Even though we’re gaining an extra hour, the fluctuation in time can do a number on our bodies. Here are some cannabis strains that can help ease you into Daylight Savings.
Studies show that the one-hour time difference inflicted upon us by Daylight Savings can result in triggering underlying health issues and cause an excess of tiredness afterwards. The following strains were chosen to help you either go to bed early the night before or clear your head in the days following.
This heavy indica, lauded for its high resin production and the body high it contributes is a great cultivar to have you getting sleepy, very sleepy. The near hypnotic effects are also great for easing aches and pains that may crop up at the end of the day and thus also make it easier to catch some Zs. Another benefit is its relaxing properties. Pure Afghan strains are often used to combat severe anxiety, so no need to stress about about the impending DST.
A perfect mixture of Granddaddy Purple and OG Kush, this euphoric, yet sleepy time strain will have you counting sheep so dreamily that drifting off shouldn’t be a problem. Smooth and sweet to the pallet, this high THC strain is bound to give your snooze a little sparkle and you should wake up after the hour difference feeling refreshed. Also a very resin heavy strain, a little bit goes a long way.
Sativa dominant and fairly high in THC, this cultivar promotes a clear head and sharpness for making things click and getting on with the day. If you feel foggy from the night before, maybe you had ate a strong edible or smoked a little longer than expected before hitting the hay in the hopes of recharging, this is one that will clear the haze, regardless of its namesake. An uplifting, happy high, it should clear the noggin when needed.
Sometimes an indica leaning hybrid is still the trick to get out of a funk, especially in the case of this 40% sativa. When the 40% comes from the following cultivar, Durban Poison, it works a magic with its OG indica base that both calms the mind and clears it at the same time. Perfect for after work to recharge or while exploring creative endeavors, this sweetly popular strain won’t leave you couch-locked unless you really go in. Enjoy the flavor, the lightness of being and above all the relaxed energy that it provides.
Though likely to have you choking, you should still be nothing but grateful for this pure sativa from South Africa during DST. Perhaps the most essential strain listed to combat fatigue and really get you going, especially if you need to pick up the house, pull it together for a party or even get some work done (though it’s never recommended to drive, operate machinery or the like on any cultivar). With the amount of resin Durban Poison produces, there is a good chance that your local dispensary provides a concentrate version, which will have you seriously buzzing.
Prohibition has done nothing but closed the doors to billions of dollars in revenue, and encouraged racist policies. It’s high time we legalize marijuana federally.
Legalizing marijuana is one of the best things we can do to support public health. There have been several studies conducted across the United States supporting its many public health benefits.
Still, some are worried that the legalization of marijuana is going to result in a spike in adolescent use, violent crime, mental health illnesses, and so much more. But data shows that legalization can actually prevent this.
A 2021 paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research highlighted more surprising reasons why legalization can benefit public health.
Reduction in Violent Crime
The War on Drugs has done nothing to cut down on violent crime. It has, in fact, fueled illicit black market activity and the criminals behind them, increasing crime. The paper states that where legal dispensaries have been established, the authors saw a 19% decrease in overall crime.
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Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service and Appalachian State University also state in an older paper that: “Our results indicate that medical marijuana laws result in significant reductions in both violent and property crime rates.” Meanwhile, a 2019 paper by Regional Science and Urban Economics states: “The results imply that an additional dispensary in a neighborhood leads to a reduction of 17 crimes per month per 10,000 residents, which corresponds to roughly a 19 percent decline relative to the average crime rate over the same period…”
There are many possible reasons behind this. One is that legal recreational marijuana provides greater access for adults who then no longer have to go to dealers at the black market, so the underground market no longer thrives as much in the area. Another is that the police would have less reasons to arrest individuals, saving police resources. In addition, many may turn to marijuana as a substitute for more harmful substances which actually cause an uptick in violent crime: these include alcohol, amphetamines, and cocaine.
After all, marijuana is a drug that is know for inducing euphoric and relaxing states, reducing the chances of individuals engaging in dangerous or violent behavior.
Significant Reductions In Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption
Tobacco use is a widespread killer, responsible for the deaths of over 8 million people annually. Meanwhile, alcohol kills around 225 people a day in the United States alone. You know the system is broken when tobacco and alcohol are still legal yet continue to kill people because of its availability while marijuana is still federally illegal.
Despite this, thousands in the United States still struggle with a tobacco addiction. But marijuana may help with that. The paper states that legalizing recreational marijuana is linked with a 5% and 13% reduction in alcohol and tobacco related deaths respectively.
According to research by the University of Washington together with the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division and Multnomah County Health Department, state decriminalization of recreational marijuana use corresponds to decreases in youth alcohol consumption. Marijuana is not a gateway drug; that’s just what prohibitionists want you to think. Cannabis is actually successfully used as a mitigation tool so that people can manage their addictions to alcohol and tobacco.
Reduction In Drunk Driving Deaths
When marijuana is legalized, more people substitute it for alcohol. The paper mentions studies that legal recreational marijuana has been linked to a 5% decline in alcohol demand, as well as a 20% reduction in binge drinking among college students.
In addition, medical marijuana laws have been associated with a 13 to 15% drop in alcohol related traffic fatalities. The paper authors, together with Benjamin Hansen, have also indicated in a paper released by The University of Chicago Press Journals that there is an 8-11% reduction in traffic fatalities just within the first year of marijuana being legalized in states. The authors mention that when marijuana is legalized, it also results in a decrease in both alcohol consumption and the price of cannabis, which further cements the theory that both substances act as substitutes. However, they do emphasize that driving under the influence of marijuana is not much safer than driving while drunk.
Good For Public Health
Even if there is data backing up how beneficial marijuana is for public health, it’s still illegal federally.
A Gallup poll from 2020 revealed that 68% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana. The numbers of Americans who back marijuana legalization only continue to grow each year, as legalization spreads in states and more people become aware of the plant and its numerous benefits.
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We can only hope that federal legalization isn’t just a pipe dream. This would do tremendous wonders for people and society as a whole, though the banking industry still has to overcome numerous challenges. One of the biggest hurdles faced by the industry is lack of access to traditional banking, without which, federal legalization would be nearly impossible.
State and local governments can benefit too: cannabis taxes could generate billions, which doesn’t even count extra revenues from taxes obtained from the marijuana industry. Several states, such as Washington and Colorado, have already generated millions in taxes which are being used for public investments including education, health care, and infrastructure.
Prohibition has done nothing good: it has closed the doors to billions of dollars in revenues, harmed people, encouraged racist policies. It’s high time we legalize marijuana federally.
New York cannabis regulators have provided a timeline as to when legal dispensaries can open.
New York State is edging closer and closer to a functioning cannabis legal market. According to new intel, dispensary applications may be approved within two weeks, fulfilling the organization’s wish to have dispensaries operating by the end of the year.
Axel Bernabe, the chief of staff for the Office of Cannabis Management, says his agency has scored applications and will recommend approval for applicants who represent the “top of the class.” 2/2
The news was shared on Twitter by Ashley Southall, a reporter for The New York Times. While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, responsible parties believe New York will soon be moving forward with cannabis.
“New York’s cannabis regulators may approve the state’s first licenses to operate adult-use cannabis dispensaries on Nov. 21, when the state control board meets,” reads Southall’s tweet, followed by, “Axel Bernabe, the chief of staff for the Office of Cannabis Management, says his agency has scored applications and will recommend approval for applicants who represent the top of the class.”
Marijuana regulators in New York have long mentioned the end of the year as the time when legal dispensaries would be up and running. This marks the first time when they provide a clear timeline and a date as to when this decision would be made.
Despite the positive news, cannabis businesses from other states are intimidated by the prospect of opening dispensaries in New York, known for its thriving black market (now referred to as a “grey” market by the cannabis industry). All across the state, there have been marijuana stores operating since 2021, when the drug was legalized.
And that’s not great news for business owners like Nidhi Lucky Handa, the owner of California-based cannabis company Leune, which is expanding into other states. “How do you explain this to the consumer? It’s not just one shady thing in an alley,” Handa told Bloomberg. “It’s everywhere.”
Bloomberg says that for Handa, “it’s frustrating to see the state repeating the same mistakes as California, where even bailouts and tax breaks have failed to help the legal market avoid competition from illicit weed.”
New York hoped to be one of the first states to prioritize people who’d been impacted by the war on drugs. The first licenses handed out by the state would provide these communities with the chance to be the first to get involved in the industry, allowing small businesses to have a leg up. To get all of this done, applicants had to submit the proper documents, a process that has taken months to vet and that has allowed the black market to thrive.
“The most effective way to disrupt the unregulated marketplace is for lawmakers and regulators to swiftly provide cannabis consumers with an accessible and affordable legal marketplace.” — NORML
Consumers’ decisions regarding whether to purchase cannabis products from the legal market or the unregulated market are influenced primarily by price and convenience, according to data published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
Canadian researchers surveyed a cohort of more than 11,000 marijuana consumers in the United States and Canada. Respondents said that they were most likely to forgo accessing marijuana from the legal marketplace if they believed that they could obtain cheaper products more conveniently from unregulated sources.
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“Higher prices and inconvenience of legal sources were common barriers to purchasing legal cannabis,” authors concluded. “Future research should examine how perceived barriers to legal purchasing change as legal markets mature.”
Data has previously shown that cannabis consumers are willing to pay higher prices for legal cannabis products because they believe that they are superior to those available from other sources. However, consumers acknowledge that they will not pay for products that they perceive are priced excessively high.
Separate data provided earlier this year by Leafly.com reported that jurisdictions with the most robust legal cannabis markets and the fewest local bans on retail outlets are most successful at disrupting unregulated cannabis supply chains.
“The most effective way to disrupt the unregulated marketplace is for lawmakers and regulators to swiftly provide cannabis consumers with an accessible and affordable legal marketplace,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. NORML has consistently criticized the enactment of municipal bans on cannabis-related businesses, opining that they perpetuate the unregulated market by limiting consumers’ access to licensed products.
Full text of the study, “Reasons for purchasing cannabis from illegal sources in legal markets: Findings among cannabis consumers in Canada and U.S. States, 2019-2020,” appears in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
