Recreational Weed Markets Are Surging Through Every State in the US
Adult-use cannabis eclipsed the $1 billion benchmark in total retail sales, or nearly 60% of the nationwide total, from their respective markets in 2023. The cannabis industry is multiplying, with global sales expected to reach almost $149 billion by 2031.
Numerous people are researching “can you buy weed online” in their quest for a diverse range of recreational marijuana. This easy access to online and wide varieties contributes to the increase in cannabis sales. While some markets maintain steady growth, others are experiencing a surge in sales, with Michigan emerging as the leader in recreational cannabis sales for 2023.
What is Recreational Weed?
Recreational weed refers to cannabis used for enjoyment rather than for health benefits. Recreational marijuana boasts high THC levels and minimal CBD content, while medical marijuana tends to exhibit the opposite: high CBD and low THC concentrations. These cannabinoids, found in the marijuana plant, exhibit this characteristic dichotomy.
Overview of the Growing Trend of Recreational Weed Markets
State | Adult-Use Sales Launch | 2022 Sales | Year-over-Year Growth (2023) |
Arizona | 2021 | $84 million (October) | $85 million (October) |
California | 2018 | $383 million (November) | $338 million (November) |
Colorado | 2012 | $125 million (October) | $108 million (October) |
Connecticut | 2023 | – | $15 million (November) |
Illinois | 2020 | $130 million (November) | $139 million (November) |
Maine | 2020 | $15 million (December) | $19 million (December) |
Maryland | 2023 | – | $62 million (December) |
Massachusetts | 2018 | $123 million (November) | $129 million (November) |
Michigan | 2019 | $190 million (November) | $257 million (November) |
Missouri | 2023 | – | $96 million (November) |
Montana | 2022 | $20 million (December) | $22 million (December) |
Nevada | 2017 | $70 million (November) | $61 million (November) |
New Mexico | 2022 | $28 million (December) | $37 million (December) |
New York | 2021 | – | $19 million (November) |
Oregon | 2016 | $75 million (December) | $77 million (December) |
Rhode Island | 2022 | – | $7 million (November) |
Washington | 2012 | $100 million (November) | $99 million (November) |
The Differences Between New Market and Established Market
A new market offers products that enable many customers to do something they could not do before. In a new market, customers and their preferences are unknown. Companies recognize the users, the market, and competitors in an established market. In this environment, there is competition for product features and performance.
The growth in recreational adult-use marijuana sales in 2023 is varied by market age. New markets such as Arizona and Maine continued to grow, albeit slower than in 2022, while established markets remained the same or declined. Established markets like California and Colorado also experienced declines between 2022 and 2023.
Michigan Has the Best Year-over-Year Growth In 2023
Michigan’s cannabis market has generated over $257 million in monthly sales since November 2023. With a population of 10 million, a summer tourist surge, and friendlier business regulations, the market has reached impressive maturity in four years.
For consumers, recreational dispensaries in Michigan offer an oasis of variety at lower prices than other markets. When the cost of a retail ounce of flower dropped to under $200 in late 2021, the recreational market skyrocketed, from 45% in Q3 2021 to 65% in Q1 2022. With the average retail price of an ounce at $100 since October 2022, 75% of Michigan consumers now shop at recreational dispensaries in Q3 2023.
Best Selling Cannabis in 2023
Flower strains are the best-selling products in California and Colorado. Vapor pens follow, steadily increasing sales from July’s $1.3 million to October’s $1.4 million in California. Flower-to-vape carts in Michigan have experienced rapid sales growth, with a 398.92% year-over-year growth.
Pre-rolls are the third largest category in the U.S. after flower and vapor pens. They’ve exploded in popularity since the start of 2022. The Headset Demographics reported (2023) that when comparing the first eight months of 2023 to the previous year, U.S. pre-roll sales increased by 13.4%, which outperforms other categories like edibles or concentrates by a large amount.
In Michigan, the preferences for flowers and pre-rolls are nearly tied, with 69% of consumers opting for flowers and 67% for pre-rolls.
Dominating Consumers
Millennials and Gen Z Consumers
Headset’s Demographics Report noted that the millennial age group is the largest demographic of cannabis consumers, which captures 46.2% of every dollar spent on weed. Gen Z is the fastest-growing group of marijuana users, which is quickly eating away at the dominant market share of millennials. Year-over-year, these young adults’ percentage share of total cannabis sales has grown by 11.3%.
Women and Men
Since January 2021, females have seen a slight increase in their share of total sales, though this trend has been somewhat inconsistent over the past 26 months. While female participation has increased overall, this trend varies across individual markets.
For instance, comparing the first two months of 2023 with the same period in 2022, Nevada and Oregon emerge as outliers. Female representation in total sales in Nevada has increased by 4% over the last year, whereas Oregon has experienced a 3.1% decline. Colorado and California have relatively low percentages of female representation, at 32.6% and 32.0%, respectively.
The disparity between male (66.2%) and female (33.8%) sales proportions highlights shifts away from the market average within specific categories. Some categories, like concentrates and flower, attract more male consumers, while others, like topicals, are favored by females. For instance, in the first two months of 2023, half of every dollar spent on topicals came from female consumers.
Available Cannabis Products in Different States
Types | Description | Sample Products | |
Flower | Pre-rolls, hemp, craft, Sativa, Hybrid and Indica |
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Edibles | Drinks, CBD, baked goods, chocolates, and gummies |
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Vape Pens | Disposable cartridges, CBD, Sativa, Hybrid, Indica |
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Buy Marijuana Online at GetLoud Cannabis
Accompanying the success of recreational weeds is the access to online weed dispensaries, which is also surging with the demand and convenience it provides to customers. With the benefits and sought aftereffects of different types of marijuana, packages coming to other states are countless.
Shopping online from these stores offers the convenience of having your purchases delivered to your door. You don’t require a medical prescription, only a valid ID.
GetLoud Cannabis is a premier cannabis store where you can conveniently order weed online. It is a user-friendly website where you can discover a diverse range of products available for mail-order weed and delivered right to your door. You can also find ways to save money with discounts and promos available.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the predicted statistics for the U.S. cannabis industry in 2024?
According to projections from Statista, the total revenue of the U.S. cannabis industry may reach $39.85 billion in 2024. MJBjiz Factbook believes cannabis will add $115.2 billion to the economy in 2024.
What is the difference in medical and recreational cannabis sales in the U.S.?
In 2021, the marijuana industry in the U.S. soared with $15 billion from recreational weed and $11 billion from medical cannabis.
Projections indicate further expansion by 2030:
- The number of American marijuana users may surge from 32 million in 2014 to 71 million by 2030.
- Registered medical marijuana patients may increase from 1.4 million in 2014 to 5.7 million by 2030.
What factors contribute to the larger size of the recreational cannabis market compared to the medical cannabis market?
- In many regions, recreational cannabis is subject to less stringent regulations compared to medical cannabis. This can make it easier for businesses to enter the recreational market and for consumers to access recreational products.
- Recreational cannabis has a broader appeal as it is not limited to individuals with medical conditions. This larger potential consumer base contributes to higher sales volumes in the recreational market.
- While medical cannabis primarily treats specific health conditions, people often perceive recreational cannabis as a product for relaxation, socializing, and enjoyment.
- Recreational cannabis products often include a wider range of options, such as edibles, beverages, and concentrates.