More than half of adults in the United States are interested in trying cannabis if they haven’t already tried it.
A recent New Frontier Data (NFD) report says that more than 42 percent have, and the spread of legalization has played a crucial role.
Legalization has facilitated an increase of curious first-time users who likely abstained from cannabis use under prohibition.
The increase has caused a reduction in alcohol and prescription consumption in states with adult-use or medicinal policies.
Among the 42 percent, most of which indicate they will likely use cannabis again, 37 percent say they are current consumers.
NFD’s definition of current includes people who use cannabis annually and intend to do so again in the future.
The report, released earlier this month, says another fifteen percent say they are interested in trying cannabis for the first time.
New Frontier Data CEO Gary Allen says people who use cannabis come from a plethora of backgrounds.
The diversity of users indicates acceptance among a broad consumer range.
“Cannabis consumers are diverse, with users spread across age groups, genders, economic brackets, and political affiliations,” says Allen. “With 42% of U.S. adults having used cannabis and likely to do so again, and another 15% expressing interest in trying cannabis in the future, acceptance and receptiveness continues to grow, creating massive opportunities in both new and emerging markets.”
Surveying Consumers
The report, Part 1: An Overview of Consumers Today, presents data from NFD’s 2023 cannabis consumer survey.
The company surveyed 5,534 individuals, 79 percent of which identified as current users.
Reasons for use can vary greatly, but among those surveyed, a high number indicated that cannabis is a life tool.
According to NFD, 70 percent of current consumers say their use is to help them achieve a specific objective.
NFD says 37 percent of current consumers increased their consumption over the last year.
Fifty-three percent say they use cannabis medicinally and recreationally, and fifty-one percent have replaced at least some medication with it.
Anyone interested in obtaining a free copy of New Frontier Data’s report can do so at the NFD website.