According to a recent survey conducted by cannabis delivery platform Eaze, more Americans are turning to cannabis during the holidays in 2023. The survey, which polled 1,000 cannabis consumers and 1,000 non-consumers across the U.S., revealed some interesting trends and preferences among different generations and regions.
Millennials and Gen Z Lead the Cannabis Consumption
The survey found that millennials and Gen Z are the most likely to use cannabis during the holidays, with 68% and 66% of them reporting that they plan to do so, respectively. These generations are also more likely to give and receive cannabis as a holiday gift, with 55% of millennials and 53% of Gen Z saying they would prefer cannabis over wine or alcohol. In contrast, only 36% of Gen X and 24% of baby boomers said they would use cannabis during the holidays, and only 23% and 14% of them would choose cannabis as a gift, respectively.
The survey also revealed that millennials and Gen Z are more open and comfortable about their cannabis consumption, with 64% and 63% of them saying they would consume cannabis in front of their family, compared to 46% of Gen X and 35% of baby boomers. Moreover, 59% of millennials and 58% of Gen Z said they would talk to their family about cannabis, while only 40% of Gen X and 29% of baby boomers said the same.
Edibles and Vapes are the Most Popular Products
The survey also asked the respondents about their preferred cannabis products and consumption methods during the holidays. Edibles emerged as the most popular product, with 50% of the respondents saying they would use them, followed by vapes with 41%, flower with 36%, and pre-rolls with 28%. Edibles were especially favored by women, with 57% of them choosing them, compared to 44% of men.
When it comes to consumption methods, inhalation was the most common, with 61% of the respondents saying they would smoke or vape cannabis, followed by ingestion with 51%, and topical application with 12%. Inhalation was more popular among men, with 67% of them opting for it, compared to 54% of women.
Cannabis Use Varies by Region and Occasion
The survey also showed that cannabis use during the holidays varies by region and occasion. The West Coast was the most cannabis-friendly region, with 54% of the respondents saying they would use cannabis during the holidays, followed by the Northeast with 49%, the Midwest with 42%, and the South with 40%. The West Coast was also the most likely to give and receive cannabis as a gift, with 46% of the respondents saying they would do so, compared to 38% in the Northeast, 33% in the Midwest, and 31% in the South.
The survey also asked the respondents about the specific occasions when they would use cannabis during the holidays. The most common occasions were New Year’s Eve, with 46% of the respondents saying they would use cannabis then, followed by Christmas Eve with 40%, Christmas Day with 38%, and Thanksgiving Day with 36%. The least common occasions were Hanukkah, with 11% of the respondents saying they would use cannabis then, followed by Kwanzaa with 12%, and Boxing Day with 13%.
Cannabis Use Has Benefits and Challenges
The survey also explored the reasons why people use cannabis during the holidays, as well as the challenges they face. The most common reasons were to relax, with 64% of the respondents saying they use cannabis for that purpose, followed by to have fun, with 51%, to cope with stress, with 43%, and to enhance the mood, with 42%. The respondents also reported some benefits of using cannabis during the holidays, such as feeling more festive, with 39% of them saying so, feeling more connected to their family, with 35%, feeling more creative, with 34%, and feeling more generous, with 32%.
However, the respondents also acknowledged some challenges of using cannabis during the holidays, such as finding a place to consume, with 36% of them saying it is a challenge, finding a reliable source, with 34%, dealing with stigma, with 33%, and finding the right dosage, with 32%. The respondents also shared some tips on how to overcome these challenges, such as using discreet products, such as edibles or vapes, with 49% of them suggesting that, doing research on the products and dosages, with 45%, talking to their family about cannabis, with 43%, and finding a cannabis-friendly host, with 41%.
Cannabis Use During the Holidays is a Growing Trend
The survey concluded that cannabis use during the holidays is a growing trend among Americans, especially among millennials and Gen Z, who are more likely to use, gift, and talk about cannabis than older generations. The survey also suggested that cannabis use during the holidays has some benefits, such as relaxation, fun, and connection, as well as some challenges, such as finding a place, a source, and a dosage. The survey also highlighted the diversity of cannabis products, consumption methods, and occasions among different regions and consumers.
The survey was conducted by Eaze, a cannabis delivery platform that operates in California and Michigan, and serves more than 800,000 customers. The survey was conducted online between November 15 and December 1, 2023, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
