Your medical cannabis journey simplified: find partnered dispensaries, explore pricing options, earn rewards, and get answers to FAQs, all in one spot.
Cannabis use is increasing all around the world. The American marijuana industry was worth about $57 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $444 billion by 2030, a staggering growth that reflects it as the fastest-growing industry anywhere in the world. Veriheal consistently stays abreast of current trends by conducting routine surveys among our community of nearly 2 million users. These surveys explore the motivations and methods behind cannabis usage for both medical purposes and recreational enjoyment. By engaging individuals across various age groups and demographics, we gather insights into usage patterns, medical conditions, past substance experiences, and more. This approach ensures that we deliver a top-notch service tailored to meet the diverse needs of our customers.
In this piece, we aim to delve into the use of cannabis among Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) for purposes of happiness, healing, and relief. Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of how this demographic perceives and utilizes marijuana. By knowing what Gen Z values about cannabis, we can better provide for upcoming generations to ensure everyone is having their needs met.
Understanding Gen Z
Gen Z has been spotlighted in the media recently for a variety of reasons, one of which is that they are the largest consumers of media across any generation. They are becoming adults in tumultuous yet transformative times and are often seen as being tasked with “saving the world” from the variety of issues they’ve inherited, whether environmental, political, or economic. Gen Z is focused on shaking up social norms entrenched by previous generations, slowly creating a more equitable society that allows people of any gender, orientation, and identity to thrive.
California was the first state to legalize medicinal cannabis in 1996, right around the time that Gen Z began to enter society. As a result, those in Gen Z have never experienced a world without some form of legal weed, and they’re more accepting of it than any other age group. Alternative medicines are a priority among Gen Z, who are moving away from traditional Western options and instead using natural wellness to support the mind and body. Gen Z is increasingly building on the forward momentum of previous generations to heavily promote activism and the creation of a world that supports and benefits everyone equally.
Report: Gen Z Would Rather Smoke Cannabis Than Consume Alcohol
To collect this data, Veriheal surveyed thousands of patients between the ages of 15 and 27 who signed up for our services between March 2023 and April 2024. We have also used some information provided by New Frontier Data in 2022, which referenced various studies and findings on this age demographic’s substance use. All respondents are located in the United States but represent a diverse group of people from all races and genders.
TL:DR: Findings On Gen Z Cannabis Use and Preferences
Up to 60% of Gen Z respondents don’t drink or rarely drink alcohol, preferring cannabis instead
Wanting to feel happy, relaxed, and pain-free are the top reasons Gen Z uses cannabis
Gen Z largely uses flower over other forms of cannabis, such as edibles or concentrates
Gen Z is the most cannabis-friendly generation ever recorded
Is Gen Z Choosing Cannabis Over Alcohol?
One of the most significant differences between Gen Z and previous generations relates to the substances they choose to partake in. Gen Z is drinking far less alcohol, and many of them don’t use it at all. Veriheal found that 32% of respondents rarely drink, and 30% reported never drinking. Similarly, New Frontier Data discovered that more than half of those surveyed have replaced alcohol use with cannabis, and 69% prefer cannabis over alcoholic drinks.
Several reasons are attributed to this change. One is that Gen Z recognizes the mental and physical health impacts associated with drinking, such as the increased risk of depression. Another is related to the high cost of drinking, particularly in venues like bars or clubs. Both Veriheal and New Frontier Data reported that Gen Z is also using tobacco at lower rates than prior generations (with around half never using it), pointing to their prioritization of health and wellness.
Why You Should Get Your Medical Marijuana Card
Veriheal has satisfied millions of patients nationwide by giving them access to these benefits
While older generations, such as Baby Boomers, largely prefer edibles, Gen Z likes flower the most. They like inhalable products with fast effects, such as vaporizers and concentrates, and are less likely to gravitate toward slower-onset products such as topicals or tinctures. Many of them still do choose edibles, however, with 64% of respondents choosing it as their preferred method compared to 83% who picked flower.
Interestingly, Gen Z’s love of flower is also reflective of societal impacts. Unlike older generations, their decision to use smokable products indicates less concern over cannabis-related stigmas and the need for being discreet.
What Conditions Does Gen Z Use Cannabis To Treat?
As a younger demographic, Gen Z doesn’t use cannabis for the same things an older person might. The largest reported reason for Gen Z cannabis use, according to Veriheal data, was trouble sleeping or insomnia, with 58% stating they turn to it for this use. Chronic pain and “other” are the second highest reasons. When asked what they want to feel from cannabis, Gen Z listed feeling relaxed, relief from pain, and happiness as their top three reasons.
This aligns well with the type of cannabis products that Gen Z prefers, as wanting to feel relaxed and happy can be more quickly achieved by smokable products. It can also help with sleep, as many people like to use cannabis right before bed to feel immediate effects.
Final Thoughts
Gen Z is currently the most cannabis-friendly generation in the country, and this trend will be reflected for years to come. As cannabis consumption lounges become more popular and more states legalize the substance, we’ll likely see an increase in the amount of Gen Z adults who turn to cannabis over tobacco and alcohol.
Generation Z often gravitates towards cannabis for many reasons. First, they are a generation deeply attuned to holistic wellness and self-care practices, viewing cannabis as a natural option for relaxation and stress relief. Additionally, with growing awareness and acceptance of the medicinal properties of cannabis, Gen Z likes exploring its potential benefits for alleviating physical and mental health issues, such as anxiety and chronic pain. Finally, in a society increasingly focused on personal freedom and expression, cannabis serves as a means of social connection and creativity for many within this generation. The normalization of cannabis within popular culture and its legalization in many regions also play a significant role in shaping Gen Z’s favorable attitude towards the plant, fostering a sense of openness and curiosity rather than stigma.
As Gen Alpha, the generation growing up behind Gen Z, ages into adulthood, we may find that they consume even more cannabis than prior generations. Eventually, it could be more popular than alcohol or tobacco altogether, leading to an overall healthier and more inclusive society.
Emily is a Denver-based transplant from Virginia who is passionate about substance use harm reduction, yoga, and music. She writes and edits to support the extravagant lifestyles of her pug and cat. When she's not writing, she can be found doing flow and aerial arts or browsing flights to faraway places.
Ever heard of NPK Ratios? As it turns out, understanding the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels in your soil can help you grow bountiful cannabis plants. Perhaps one of the most important factors to a successful grow is the soil and fertilizer. That’s where NPK ratios come in. You have to nail the PH level…
Honoring Black history and culture should never be confined to the shortest month of the year. Rather, Black history is impossible to separate from cannabis history — and American history as a whole. As such, we’re using Black History Month as an opportunity to share our favorite black-owned cannabis brands to encourage our readers to…
Growing weed indoors is a great year-round option that can provide total control over the growing environment. With the right conditions, indoor cannabis crops can thrive, which means increased potency, flavor, and yield. Choosing the right fertilizer is one of the most important factors when it comes to indoor cannabis growing. Cannabis plants require a…
Kendrick Lamar is having quite the year. Fresh off five new Grammy wins for the diss track heard ’round the world, Lamar remains one of the most influential hip-hop artists — arguably of all time. And his reign isn’t over yet: this Sunday, Lamar will even add the prestigious title of the headliner at the…
Feeling curious about what benefits lie beyond the buds of your favorite plant? Although cannabis flowers and buds receive the bulk of attention in the medicinal and adult-use marijuana communities, the cannabis plant is rich with potential health benefits hiding in plain sight — specifically in its iconic fan leaves. Even though cannabis leaves are…
The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.