The majority of cannabis consumers buy their products from brick-and-mortar retailers in states where adult-use recreational cannabis has been legalized, according to new data from New Frontier.
The research firm reported that 52% of consumers in adult-use states said dispensaries are their primary source for cannabis. Another 17% said they consider delivery as their primary source, while 16% said friends and 6% said dealers.
By comparison, in states where cannabis – both medical and recreational – remains illegal, only 29% of consumers said dispensaries are their primary source. In illicit states, 31% said friends are their primary source for cannabis while 17% said dealers and 12% said delivery.
As the report points out, the numbers show that consumers in illicit states are often traveling across state lines to buy cannabis from legal retailers.
“It is not just cannabis sourcing that is beginning to mimic traditional commerce, the reasons that consumers give for choosing a particular source are also meeting the mainstream,” wrote Dr. Amanda Reiman, Chief Knowledge Officer at New Frontier Data. “The top reasons consumers give for choosing a particular brick-and-mortar dispensary are product quality, product selection, price, knowledgeable staff, and convenient location. These are the top reasons people choose grocery stores (location, price, product selection, product quality, and friendly and knowledgeable staff).”