A study published in the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research journal found that 37% of Californians consumed cannabis in the past three months. The study, which surveyed 15,208 individuals, reported that most consumers experienced positive impacts on their mental, emotional, and physical health, with common negative effects being brain fog and lack of motivation. The most common products consumed were flower, edibles/capsules, and vaping concentrates, with most users consuming multiple products. Consumers primarily purchased cannabis from dispensaries, and a majority used cannabis at home, often while engaging in home entertainment or creative activities. Concurrent use of alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs was also reported. The Internet and friends/family were the main sources of cannabis information, and while most consumers were comfortable discussing cannabis with their doctors, fewer doctors were aware of their patients' recreational use. The study's questionnaire was administered from December 2022 to February 2023.

Study: 37% of Californians Consumed Cannabis Within Past Three Months

Jul 10, 2025

Source:

TG Branfalt

Ganjapreneur

Thirty-seven percent of Californians reported consuming cannabis within the
past three months, with 38% of those consuming cannabis multiple times
daily and 30% consuming cannabis three times per week or less, according to
a study published Wednesday in the *Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research *journal.
The study, which included a survey of 15,208 individuals, found that 30% of
respondents formerly consumed cannabis, and 33% were non-consumers.

A majority of cannabis consumers included in the study reported positive
impacts to their mental health (82%), emotional health (81%), and physical
health (62%). The most commonly reported negative effects were brain fog
and lack of motivation (21% each).

The most common products consumed by respondents of the study were flower
(56%), edibles or capsules (50%) and vaping concentrates (36%); but 91%
used multiple cannabis products and just 9% used only one type – primarily
flower (4.6%) and edibles (2.8%).

Most cannabis consumers in California purchased cannabis products at
dispensaries (77%), while 35% used delivery services, 32% obtained it from
friends and family, and 12% grew their own. Most believed the dispensary
they frequent or the delivery service they use is licensed (94%, 91%
respectively), with 66% considering it important that their source is
licensed.

Most current cannabis consumers (93%) use cannabis at home, followed by
using it at someone else’s home (31%), parties (29%), outdoors (24%), or in
their car (22%), with 65% using it alone. Common activities while consuming
cannabis include home entertainment (75%), creative activities (45%), and
public entertainment (38%).

Concurrent use of alcohol was reported by 36% of users, cigarettes by 24%,
and other drugs by 9%.

The most common sources of cannabis information among cannabis consumers
were the Internet (51%) and friends/family (50%), with just 15% obtaining
information from doctors (15%) or therapists (11%). For dosage, the
researchers found 48% of current users relied on experience, 29% packaging
details, 24% budtender advice, 20% internet, 20% friends or family, 15%
doctors, while 15% did not seek dosing information.

The researchers also found that 78% of cannabis consumers were comfortable
discussing cannabis with their primary doctor but just 66% of primary
doctors knew about their patients’ recreational cannabis consumption.

The Impact 64 questionnaire was administered from December 2022 to February
2023.