Cannabis, also known as weed, pot, marijuana, or ganja, is a plant that contains psychoactive compounds that can alter one’s mood, perception, and cognition. Cannabis can be consumed in various ways, such as smoking, vaping, eating, drinking, or applying topically. Cannabis consumption has been legalized for medical and/or recreational purposes in many states in the U.S., including California, which was the first state to legalize medical cannabis in 1996 and recreational cannabis in 2016.
However, not all counties in California have the same level of cannabis consumption, and some have higher rates of cannabis use than others. In this article, we will explore which county in California has the most weed consumption, especially in the form of edibles, and what factors may contribute to this phenomenon.
Cannabis Consumption in California
According to the California Department of Public Health, cannabis consumption in California varies by substate regions, which are defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) based on population size, geographic proximity, and similarity of substance use patterns.
The map on the right shows the geographic variation in California of the prevalence of cannabis use in the past month for the years 2012-2014 by substate regions. The darker the color, the higher the prevalence of cannabis use.
As we can see from the map, the substate region with the highest prevalence of cannabis use in the past month is the North Coast region, which includes Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity counties. These three counties are also known as the Emerald Triangle, as they are estimated to produce 60% or more of all cannabis consumed in the U.S.
The North Coast region has a prevalence of cannabis use of 15.5%, which is more than double the state average of 7.6% and the national average of 7.4%. The second highest substate region is the San Francisco Bay Area, which has a prevalence of cannabis use of 10.9%, followed by the Northern and Sierra region, which has a prevalence of 9.5%. The lowest substate region is the Southern region, which includes Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties, and has a prevalence of cannabis use of 5.6%.
Edible Consumption in California
While cannabis can be consumed in various ways, one of the most popular methods is eating cannabis-infused foods or beverages, also known as edibles. Edibles can range from cookies, brownies, candies, chocolates, gummies, drinks, and more, and can have different effects than smoking or vaping cannabis, such as delayed onset, longer duration, and stronger potency.
According to a report by the Cannabis Consumer Research, a market research firm that specializes in cannabis consumer behavior, edible consumption in California is higher than the national average, and varies by county.
The report, which surveyed 15,000 cannabis consumers across the U.S. in 2020, found that 41% of California cannabis consumers reported using edibles in the past month, compared to 37% nationally. The report also found that the county with the most edible consumption in California is Marin County, which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area substate region.
The report found that 64% of Marin County cannabis consumers reported using edibles in the past month, which is the highest percentage among all counties in the U.S. The second highest county in California is Sonoma County, which is part of the North Coast substate region, with 58% of cannabis consumers reporting using edibles in the past month.
The third highest county in California is San Francisco County, which is also part of the San Francisco Bay Area substate region, with 56% of cannabis consumers reporting using edibles in the past month.
Factors Influencing Edible Consumption in California
There are many factors that may influence the level of edible consumption in California, such as availability, accessibility, affordability, preference, culture, and demographics. Some of these factors are:
Availability: Edibles are widely available in California, especially in counties that have legalized recreational cannabis sales and have a high number of licensed dispensaries and delivery services. According to Weedmaps, a website that provides information on cannabis products and services, there are over 1,000 dispensaries and over 700 delivery services in California that offer edibles. Moreover, some counties, such as Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco, have a high concentration of dispensaries and delivery services per capita, making edibles more readily available to consumers.
Accessibility: Edibles are also more accessible in California, especially in counties that have lower barriers to entry for cannabis consumers, such as lower taxes, fees, and regulations. According to a report by The Guardian, California has one of the highest tax rates for cannabis in the U.S., with an effective tax rate of 45% for recreational cannabis and 35% for medical cannabis.
However, some counties, such as Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco, have lower tax rates than the state average, ranging from 12% to 25% for recreational cannabis and 0% to 15% for medical cannabis. Additionally, some counties, such as Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco, have more lenient regulations and enforcement for cannabis businesses and consumers, such as allowing on-site consumption, delivery, and social equity programs.
Affordability: Edibles are also more affordable in California, especially in counties that have lower prices for cannabis products and higher incomes for consumers. According to a report by CaliforniaCannabis.org, a website that provides information on cannabis laws and regulations in California, the average price for an eighth of an ounce of cannabis flower in California is $45, which is higher than the national average of $40. However, some counties, such as Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco, have lower prices than the state average, ranging from $35 to $40 for an eighth of an ounce of cannabis flower.
Moreover, some counties, such as Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco, have higher incomes than the state average, with median household incomes ranging from $85,000 to $123,000, compared to the state median household income of $75,000. Therefore, consumers in these counties may have more disposable income to spend on edibles and other cannabis products.
Preference: Edibles are also more preferred in California, especially in counties that have higher rates of cannabis use and higher demand for alternative methods of consumption. According to the California Department of Public Health, cannabis use in California varies by substate regions, and some regions, such as the North Coast and the San Francisco Bay Area, have higher rates of cannabis use than others.
Moreover, according to the report by the Cannabis Consumer Research, cannabis consumers in California have different reasons for using edibles, such as avoiding smoke, enhancing the experience, controlling the dosage, and treating medical conditions. Therefore, consumers in these regions may have more interest and curiosity in trying edibles and other forms of cannabis consumption.
Culture: Edibles are also more culturally accepted in California, especially in counties that have a long history and tradition of cannabis cultivation, consumption, and activism. According to Wikipedia, cannabis has been a crucial part of California culture since the 1960s, when the hippie movement and the counterculture embraced cannabis as a symbol of freedom, peace, and creativity.
Some counties, such as Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity, have been known as the Emerald Triangle, the largest cannabis-producing region in the U.S., since the 1970s. Some counties, such as Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco, have been the epicenter of cannabis advocacy, research, and innovation, since the 1980s. Therefore, consumers in these counties may have more familiarity and appreciation for edibles and other cannabis products.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cannabis consumption in California is higher than the national average, and varies by county. Edible consumption in California is also higher than the national average, and varies by county. The county with the most edible consumption in California is Marin County, which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area substate region. The factors that may influence the level of edible consumption in California include availability, accessibility, affordability, preference, culture, and demographics. Edibles are a popular and diverse form of cannabis consumption that offer different benefits and effects for consumers. As the cannabis industry in California continues to grow and evolve, edibles may become more widely available, accessible, affordable, preferred, and culturally accepted in the state.
