Cannabis Consumption Surges During Pandemic As Sleep Issues And Anxieties Mount, Says New Poll – Forbes

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a nearly double-digit increase in cannabis consumption among users as well as a „massive, lasting uptick” in those turning to cannabis delivery services to deal with sleep issues and rising anxieties. These are two key findings according to a new poll conducted by California-based Ganja Goddess, an online shopping, delivery and lifestyle brand that caters to cannabis consumers statewide.

The study, which polled more than 850 people, also found that flower is the primary method of consuming cannabis and that convenience and safety were top reasons for selecting a delivery service.

Zachary Pitts, CEO of Ganja Goddess, said in a public statement that the poll’s findings show „a lasting shift in consumer behavior as the pandemic goes on and consumer behaviors evolve, which is reflected in the more than 100 percent growth year-over-year we are experiencing.” Pitts added that the majority (55 percent) of respondents consuming cannabis during the ongoing pandemic increased by 9 percent since Ganja Goddess conducted its last poll in April 2020.

When asked if they used cannabis to help manage any conditions, a majority (78 percent) of respondents said yes, with 69 percent citing sleep, 68 percent stating anxiety and 32 percent invoking chronic and acute conditions as conditions that cannabis is helping them manage.

And, with a majority (89 percent) of cannabis consumers stating they are receiving cannabis through delivery services during this period, only six percent listed retail as their primary method. This shows a 57-point difference and a „22 percent sustained uptick for cannabis delivery services,” versus the April poll’s findings, according to a news release. It also revealed a 17-point drop for brick and mortar.

As for why they were turning to cannabis delivery services during a pandemic, 52 percent of respondents cited convenience while 32 percent said safety and 3 percent claimed product selection and saving time.

Although 56 percent of respondents said flower was their primary method of consumption during the pandemic, 51 percent cited edibles, 36 percent preferred vape pens, 14 percent said tinctures and 13 percent said pills/capsules. Interestingly, prior to the start of the pandemic, 61 percent of consumers selected flower as their main method of consumption while 50 percent selected edibles, 42 percent preferred vape pens and 12 percent opted for tinctures.

With this new study, flower and vape pens had a 5 percent and 7 percent drop, respectively. And, edibles saw a one percent increase, tinctures had a two percent increase and pills/capsules a 3 percent increase. What this means is that flower, edibles and vape pens continue to be the most popular methods of consumption, thereby disabusing the widening notion that more users are moving away smoking.