Report Summary

Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada

Aug 1, 2023

Background

The cannabis industry in both the United States and Canada has witnessed substantial growth and transformative trends. In the U.S., ongoing movements toward cannabis legalization have resulted in 23 states permitting recreational use and 40 allowing medical cannabis as of April 2023. This shift has expanded the legal cannabis market, marked by increased sales, new dispensaries, and a diverse array of products, including CBD items known for potential health benefits. However, federal illegality still poses challenges, introducing regulatory inconsistencies and banking limitations. Meanwhile, Canada legalized recreational cannabis nationwide in 2018, fostering a regulated industry with numerous retail stores and online platforms. "Cannabis 2.0" in 2019 broadened product offerings to include edibles, extracts, and topicals, yet the Canadian market faces hurdles like supply shortages, a slow retail rollout, and black-market competition. Notably, Canadian cannabis companies are expanding globally, seeking partnerships and acquisitions in regions undergoing cannabis regulatory changes.

Method

KNIGHTLABS conducted a topic-based social media analysis using both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse a total of 9,943 posts. An exhaustive list of keywords, URLs, and hashtags was developed and tested to collect relevant data for a three-month historical period from January 1 to March 31, 2023. Filters were applied to limit the analysis to the target audience and relevant topics.

Topic Highlights

Trending Topics:
  • Legalization: More states are legalizing medical cannabis, expanding access and driving industry growth.

  • Research and Clinical Trials: Increasing interest in studying medical cannabis's efficacy and safety for conditions like chronic pain and epilepsy.

  • Social Acceptance: Attitudes towards medical cannabis are evolving, with reduced stigma and growing acceptance.

  • Product Innovation: New delivery methods are emerging, improving precision dosing and patient experience.

  • Gun Ownership for Cannabis Consumers in the US: Cannabis use, even for medicinal purposes, may lead to restrictions on gun ownership under federal law.

Usage and Attitudes:
  • Cannabis Consumption: There is increasing acceptance of cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes, with reduced stigma and a perception of it being less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.

Support Legalization of Cannabis – USA.
Support Legalization of Cannabis – USA_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada
Support Legalization of Cannabis – Canada.
Support Legalization of Cannabis – Canada_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada
  • Attitudes towards Legal Cannabis in Canada: Canadians have generally developed more positive perceptions of legal cannabis compared to illegal cannabis, although concerns about safety and cost still exist.

  • Cannabis Regulation: There is a growing trend towards greater support for cannabis regulation, with consumers advocating for responsible measures, including age restrictions, quality control, and public education.

  • Privacy Concerns: While privacy concerns exist for some consumers, the percentage of those concerned about being seen in a cannabis store has decreased, indicating a shift in societal attitudes.

  • Consumption Frequency: Cannabis consumption varies among individuals, with some using it regularly for medical or recreational purposes, while others use it occasionally.

  • Categories Consumed: Consumers engage with various cannabis categories, with dried flower being the primary choice, followed by edibles, oils, and tinctures.

  • Reasons for Using: Cannabis is used for a range of reasons, including relaxation, pain management, creativity enhancement, and symptom relief for medical conditions. Individual motivations for use vary widely.

Primary reasons for consuming cannabis
Primary reaons for consuming cannabis_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada
Platform Channels
  • The target audience in the cannabis community predominantly utilized Twitter and Reddit as their most popular social media channels.

Platform Channels_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada

Elevate your strategy with our full report!

Uncover the insights you need for effective marketing strategies in the medical cannabis landscape. Our comprehensive report addresses challenges faced by healthcare professionals, offering practical solutions and key takeaways. From overcoming barriers to prescribing medical cannabis to navigating administration uncertainties, this report provides concise, actionable guidance. Elevate your marketing strategies with a clear understanding of market nuances.

 For tailored research solutions, connect with us at www.klabs.com or call us at +1 855-570-3646

Background

The cannabis industry in both the United States and Canada has witnessed substantial growth and transformative trends. In the U.S., ongoing movements toward cannabis legalization have resulted in 23 states permitting recreational use and 40 allowing medical cannabis as of April 2023. This shift has expanded the legal cannabis market, marked by increased sales, new dispensaries, and a diverse array of products, including CBD items known for potential health benefits. However, federal illegality still poses challenges, introducing regulatory inconsistencies and banking limitations. Meanwhile, Canada legalized recreational cannabis nationwide in 2018, fostering a regulated industry with numerous retail stores and online platforms. "Cannabis 2.0" in 2019 broadened product offerings to include edibles, extracts, and topicals, yet the Canadian market faces hurdles like supply shortages, a slow retail rollout, and black-market competition. Notably, Canadian cannabis companies are expanding globally, seeking partnerships and acquisitions in regions undergoing cannabis regulatory changes.

Method

KNIGHTLABS conducted a topic-based social media analysis using both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse a total of 9,943 posts. An exhaustive list of keywords, URLs, and hashtags was developed and tested to collect relevant data for a three-month historical period from January 1 to March 31, 2023. Filters were applied to limit the analysis to the target audience and relevant topics.

Topic Highlights

Trending Topics:
  • Legalization: More states are legalizing medical cannabis, expanding access and driving industry growth.

  • Research and Clinical Trials: Increasing interest in studying medical cannabis's efficacy and safety for conditions like chronic pain and epilepsy.

  • Social Acceptance: Attitudes towards medical cannabis are evolving, with reduced stigma and growing acceptance.

  • Product Innovation: New delivery methods are emerging, improving precision dosing and patient experience.

  • Gun Ownership for Cannabis Consumers in the US: Cannabis use, even for medicinal purposes, may lead to restrictions on gun ownership under federal law.

Usage and Attitudes:
  • Cannabis Consumption: There is increasing acceptance of cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes, with reduced stigma and a perception of it being less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.

Support Legalization of Cannabis – USA.
Support Legalization of Cannabis – USA_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada
Support Legalization of Cannabis – Canada.
Support Legalization of Cannabis – Canada_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada
  • Attitudes towards Legal Cannabis in Canada: Canadians have generally developed more positive perceptions of legal cannabis compared to illegal cannabis, although concerns about safety and cost still exist.

  • Cannabis Regulation: There is a growing trend towards greater support for cannabis regulation, with consumers advocating for responsible measures, including age restrictions, quality control, and public education.

  • Privacy Concerns: While privacy concerns exist for some consumers, the percentage of those concerned about being seen in a cannabis store has decreased, indicating a shift in societal attitudes.

  • Consumption Frequency: Cannabis consumption varies among individuals, with some using it regularly for medical or recreational purposes, while others use it occasionally.

  • Categories Consumed: Consumers engage with various cannabis categories, with dried flower being the primary choice, followed by edibles, oils, and tinctures.

  • Reasons for Using: Cannabis is used for a range of reasons, including relaxation, pain management, creativity enhancement, and symptom relief for medical conditions. Individual motivations for use vary widely.

Primary reasons for consuming cannabis
Primary reaons for consuming cannabis_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada
Platform Channels
  • The target audience in the cannabis community predominantly utilized Twitter and Reddit as their most popular social media channels.

Platform Channels_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada

Elevate your strategy with our full report!

Uncover the insights you need for effective marketing strategies in the medical cannabis landscape. Our comprehensive report addresses challenges faced by healthcare professionals, offering practical solutions and key takeaways. From overcoming barriers to prescribing medical cannabis to navigating administration uncertainties, this report provides concise, actionable guidance. Elevate your marketing strategies with a clear understanding of market nuances.

 For tailored research solutions, connect with us at www.klabs.com or call us at +1 855-570-3646

Background

The cannabis industry in both the United States and Canada has witnessed substantial growth and transformative trends. In the U.S., ongoing movements toward cannabis legalization have resulted in 23 states permitting recreational use and 40 allowing medical cannabis as of April 2023. This shift has expanded the legal cannabis market, marked by increased sales, new dispensaries, and a diverse array of products, including CBD items known for potential health benefits. However, federal illegality still poses challenges, introducing regulatory inconsistencies and banking limitations. Meanwhile, Canada legalized recreational cannabis nationwide in 2018, fostering a regulated industry with numerous retail stores and online platforms. "Cannabis 2.0" in 2019 broadened product offerings to include edibles, extracts, and topicals, yet the Canadian market faces hurdles like supply shortages, a slow retail rollout, and black-market competition. Notably, Canadian cannabis companies are expanding globally, seeking partnerships and acquisitions in regions undergoing cannabis regulatory changes.

Method

KNIGHTLABS conducted a topic-based social media analysis using both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse a total of 9,943 posts. An exhaustive list of keywords, URLs, and hashtags was developed and tested to collect relevant data for a three-month historical period from January 1 to March 31, 2023. Filters were applied to limit the analysis to the target audience and relevant topics.

Topic Highlights

Trending Topics:
  • Legalization: More states are legalizing medical cannabis, expanding access and driving industry growth.

  • Research and Clinical Trials: Increasing interest in studying medical cannabis's efficacy and safety for conditions like chronic pain and epilepsy.

  • Social Acceptance: Attitudes towards medical cannabis are evolving, with reduced stigma and growing acceptance.

  • Product Innovation: New delivery methods are emerging, improving precision dosing and patient experience.

  • Gun Ownership for Cannabis Consumers in the US: Cannabis use, even for medicinal purposes, may lead to restrictions on gun ownership under federal law.

Usage and Attitudes:
  • Cannabis Consumption: There is increasing acceptance of cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes, with reduced stigma and a perception of it being less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.

Support Legalization of Cannabis – USA.
Support Legalization of Cannabis – USA_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada
Support Legalization of Cannabis – Canada.
Support Legalization of Cannabis – Canada_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada
  • Attitudes towards Legal Cannabis in Canada: Canadians have generally developed more positive perceptions of legal cannabis compared to illegal cannabis, although concerns about safety and cost still exist.

  • Cannabis Regulation: There is a growing trend towards greater support for cannabis regulation, with consumers advocating for responsible measures, including age restrictions, quality control, and public education.

  • Privacy Concerns: While privacy concerns exist for some consumers, the percentage of those concerned about being seen in a cannabis store has decreased, indicating a shift in societal attitudes.

  • Consumption Frequency: Cannabis consumption varies among individuals, with some using it regularly for medical or recreational purposes, while others use it occasionally.

  • Categories Consumed: Consumers engage with various cannabis categories, with dried flower being the primary choice, followed by edibles, oils, and tinctures.

  • Reasons for Using: Cannabis is used for a range of reasons, including relaxation, pain management, creativity enhancement, and symptom relief for medical conditions. Individual motivations for use vary widely.

Primary reasons for consuming cannabis
Primary reaons for consuming cannabis_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada
Platform Channels
  • The target audience in the cannabis community predominantly utilized Twitter and Reddit as their most popular social media channels.

Platform Channels_Cannabis Trends in the US and Canada

Elevate your strategy with our full report!

Uncover the insights you need for effective marketing strategies in the medical cannabis landscape. Our comprehensive report addresses challenges faced by healthcare professionals, offering practical solutions and key takeaways. From overcoming barriers to prescribing medical cannabis to navigating administration uncertainties, this report provides concise, actionable guidance. Elevate your marketing strategies with a clear understanding of market nuances.

 For tailored research solutions, connect with us at www.klabs.com or call us at +1 855-570-3646

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