Flower is still king in the cannabis world, but for how much longer?

A recent study shows that flowers really do rule. The study that researchers claim to be one of them; if not the most thorough review yet of population-level marijuana use in the United States and Canada, examines trends in marijuana use patterns in the United States and Canada from 2018 through 2020, with researchers recognizing the rapidly diversified market in the two countries since recreational legalization – and medical marijuana.

THE STUDY

The study examined the variation over time in the frequency of use of different marijuana products and the regularity of use and consumption of each product type in population-based surveys conducted in Canada and the United States

Respondents between the ages of 16 and 65 were collected from industry bodies in the United States and Canada, in states that may or may not have a legal market for adult marijuana. Nine different cannabis products, namely oils and concentrates, edibles, dried flowers and other commodities were the subject of data collection on frequency of use and volume consumed. Clients’ tobacco and cannabis use habits were also questioned, and researchers collected sociodemographic data to look for correlations between use and these factors.

The results were consistent with previous studies, concluding that flower continues to be the most popular form of cannabis among consumers, whether consumers are in legal or illegal cannabis markets or not. Researchers noted the prevalence of other strains of cannabis, particularly in areas where it was legal to purchase marijuana from licensed stores.

RESULTS FROM THE STUDY

Although dried flowers were the most commonly used product, a survey of consumer usage over the last 12 months from 2018 to 2020 found a decrease in legitimate (78% to 72%) and illegal (81% to 73%) states in the United States and Canada (81% to 73%). Essentially all other product forms showed an increase in the prevalence of recent 12-month use, but the percentage of daily use remained constant over the study’s observation years.

In 2020, edibles and vaporized oils tied with flower as the most popular cannabis products. The use of non-floral items was also most prevalent in US legal states, although comparable patterns were observed in all jurisdictions covered by the study.

Men reported consuming processed foods more often than women. Consistent with other recent studies showing that vaping marijuana is the most common method of cannabis ingestion among US teens, vape oils emerged as the most commonly processed product among 16-20 year olds surveyed.

The average size of a joint has increased over time in all jurisdictions, regardless of whether adult marijuana is illegal or not, according to researchers who have also noted an increase in daily consumption of cannabis flower.

DETAILED DATA

In terms of product consumption, flower (60%) overtook vapes (24%), dabs (8%) and edibles (6%) in popularity. Tinctures (0.9%), topical (0.4%), and beverages (0.3%) all had reported consumption rates below 1%.

These numbers are similar for both genders: 62% of men and 60% of women reported consuming flowers. Consumption of edibles (7% for men and 5% for women), dabs (8% for men and women), and vapes (25% for men and 24% for women) were also comparable.

Flower consumption remained constant across all age groups, with the 58-76 age group recording the highest rates at 64%. In contrast, 62% of people in the 26-41 age group, 60% of people under 26 and 60% of people in the 42-57 age group reported consuming flowers.

In contrast, Gen Zers, who made up 27% of this group, were the most likely to report using a vaporizer. Only 18% of people in the 58-76 age group reported using vapes, compared to 22% in the 26-41 and 42-57 age groups.

Dabs were also more common among younger customers than older ones. 9% of those under 26 reported using dab, compared to 7% of those aged 26-41, 5% of those aged 42-57 and 2% of those aged 58-76.

Conversely, older demographics preferred edibles over younger ones. A top 12% of 58-76 year olds and 11% of 42-57 year olds reported consuming edibles. Under 26% reported 4%, while the 26-41 year old group reported 7%.

The only noticeable percentage among tinctures, drinks and topicals was 3% of the population between 58 and 76 years of age consuming tinctures; all other ages and products showed 1.5% or less.

CANNABIS FLOWER BUYING TRENDS CHANGING

While the fact that flowers are triumphant once again may not come as a surprise, this data provides some context for the future. This means that flowers don’t always come first.

The findings underscore the rapidly evolving nature of the marijuana products industry, including significant variations in the types of marijuana products consumed by consumers, the authors write in the report’s conclusion.

Retailers report that there is less focus on buying by intensity in favor of other plant traits such as terpenes and lower cannabinoids as consumers in more established state markets become wiser.

According to an MJBizDaily study, recent statistics from Headset, which examined marijuana markets in Colorado, California, Nevada, Michigan, Washington, and the states of Oregon, appear to confirm the same tendencies. Cannabis sales increased to $4.92 billion in 2020 from $5.49 billion in 2021, according to retail sales data for the six states, while the flower’s overall market share fell.

Cooper Ashley, a senior data analyst at Headset, reports that the increase in flower sales over the past year has been less than the 18% growth in overall marijuana sales. In comparison, edibles sales rose 20.4% to $1.37 billion from $1.14 billion in the same period. Flower was the third largest slow-growing product line, ahead of topical and sublingual tinctures.

Flower is unlikely to be stepping down from his kingdom anytime soon, although there are several other rivals to consider in modern times.

FINAL EFFECT

According to the study, the flower is still the most purchased part of the cannabis plant. While dried flower remains the market leader, as the generation of users grows, it is falling behind the growing acceptance of processed cannabis products like dabs and vapes.

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