Scary economy shifts cannabis buying habits
- Jason Beck
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
May 7, 2025
Tariffs and rising prices are impacting many American industries–weed included. Things have gotten tighter recently, but the high cost of goods and services started before the new year. Small businesses and corporations are figuring out how to survive, and people have shifted their buying habits to adjust to realistic budgets on everything from groceries to cannabis.
The Sanctuary Wellness Institute released an extensive poll that detailed exactly how people are spending on weed.
Revealing cannabis buying habits
The Institute surveyed over 1000 people aged 21 to 74 on their cannabis purchasing preferences in February 2025. Half were women, and the average age was about 42. Of this group, 56 percent have shifted their buying habits to adjust to the rising cost of living.
The Institute did not share how it gathered poll data from respondents, including what states they live in. This information is essential in understanding the full scope of the results, but there is still much to be learned from what they gathered.
Most dispensary shoppers are sacrificing quantity over quality these days. The poll asked consumers to share their current buying preferences compared to previous years. For 28 percent of those polled, price is the key priority right now. 40 percent of respondents are buying smaller amounts at each purchase compared to their previous shopping habits. Nine percent are buying less, lower quality flower than they used to. Seven percent are buying lower quality, but not fewer grams per purchase.
That was not all gleaned from the extensive survey. Cannabis consumers average around $99 per purchase, and buy about an eighth of an ounce of flower at a time. One in five prefer to buy an eighth, while 13 percent of respondents liked purchasing an ounce at one visit. One in ten people buys at least three strains in each purchase.
Weed consumer habits shift amid economic downturn
Cannabis business owners can glean that consumers are still seeking variety, but perhaps more budget-friendly eighths than top-shelf dank right now. Those who have lived through multiple economic crashes are riding this wave out to the other side, and everyone else is too. While they do, many will tighten their purses and adjust their budgets. Cannabis companies that cater their product offerings and pricing to fit these new guidelines may benefit from the effort.
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