Young US women are consuming more cannabis than men for the first time, according to recently published data from the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
In the survey, which was published in August this year and conducted in 2023, women aged 19 to 30 reported higher cannabis use than men, for the first time, though older demographics continued to favour male consumers.
Furthermore, nicotine and cannabis vaping among 19 to 30-year-olds are at all-time highs (25% and 22% respectively for past-year use).
Stress, anxiety, and mental health concerns were major reasons cited by female consumers, though evidence of cannabis helping with these issues is limited.
Now, according to Reuters, cannabis companies are now shifting their retail offerings to accommodate this consumer shift.
Lauren Carpenter, CEO of the dispensary chain Embarc, highlights that women make over 80% of purchasing decisions in the country, making this shift not just smart but essential for the industry.
Women also now make up 55% of users on the cannabis app Jointly, and are even outspending men in some cases. For instance, in September, female buyers spent an average of $91 at New York’s first legal dispensary, Housing Works Cannabis Co., compared to $89 for male buyers.
To capitalize on this trend, companies like Embarc are focusing on women-driven product development and branding. This is seen as a short-term cost with long-term benefits, as women are expected to remain key consumers.
Ongoing cannabis legalization and social acceptance are further driving this trend, and women are more likely than men to buy from the legal market.
Major cannabis companies like Tilray and High Tide are increasing investments in products that appeal to women. Tilray, which leads the cannabis beverage market, has seen success with products like lemon iced tea, while High Tide’s recent acquisition of Queen of Bud highlights its focus on THC-rich products for women.
The post Young US Women Overtake Men in Cannabis Consumption for the First Time, and Retailers Are Rethinking Their Strategies appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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