Survey: 86% of Californians Favor Legal Cannabis Sources

According to survey data recently released by the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), 86% of Californians believe that it’s important to use legal sources when shopping for cannabis products. Officials also noted that 62% of Californians believe that Proposition 64 has had a positive impact, which means the legal cannabis market is now more popular than the state’s 2016 cannabis legalization ballot initiative (which was passed with 57% voter support).

The survey of more than 1,000 respondents also found that 72% of Californians believe that cannabis consumers have a responsibility to utilize the regulated market, DCC said in a press release.

The surveys were conducted under the DCC campaign “Real California Cannabis,” which seeks to educate consumers about the benefits of buying legal cannabis and how to identify the difference between licensed and unlicensed retailers, the release said.

“Education and enforcement are two of the key pillars that support a well-regulated cannabis market. The Real California Cannabis campaign will provide cannabis consumers with information that empowers them to make informed decisions regarding their cannabis purchases. These smart choices support safer communities, local businesses, and our continuous efforts to disrupt the illegal market.” — DCC Director Nicole Elliott, in a statement

The agency’s polling also found that 56% of Californians have consumed cannabis and that 88% of respondents who have consumed cannabis said they would buy products from the regulated industry. Additionally, 44% of respondents said it was easy to identify if a retailer was licensed by the state, while 42% said it was difficult, the release said.