The cannabis industry is all about good times, sweet memories and a good buzz. The imagine of a someone kicking back enjoying a joint is in the mind of most people when you think about consuming. But lately, what is in the mind isn’t translating to what is in the mouth.
BDSA, a leading cannabis consumer insights and data company, recently released a report and revealed a twist for the industry. The data collected also showed 57% of adults across surveyed states agree that adult-use cannabis should be legal. A whopping 74% of the population are cannabis consumers or accepting of people consuming. And in the past six months, 86% cannabis consumers claim they expect to continue, while 66% state they will definitely continue to consume.
What is grabbing attention is HOW people are consuming. Flower continues to be the largest revenue generator for the industry. Flower has a mystical hold over older and more traditional consumers who see it as part of the culture. Gen Z and Millennials are driving the second biggest revenue maker which is vaping. It is perfect for an active lifestyle, a variety of dosages, and discreet.
But the big news is while flower and vape are the major revenue earner, the relative inexpensive gummy is the most consumed! While earning a quarter of the revenue, it turns out the gummy is perfect to “take off the edge” for people. Quick to pop in your mouth, tasty, and no smell. A fan favorite for the recreational consumer and medical patient.
Specifically, 49% of consumers across adult-use and medical states claimed to have consumed a gummy edible in the past six months compared to 47% who used flower.
This is definitely a change from the way the industry has seen itself with joints, bongs, pre-rolls and bowls. Now a cute, colorful edible is the way of the future. Dispensaries are having to stock up on products.
Hans Riegel has the title “The father of gummy bears.” In the 1920s, Riegel developed a soft, gelatin-based treat in the shape of a bear which grew quite popular. He later created Haribo, the prestigious gummy bear creator found on shelves around the world. German language teachers often gifted students with the bears to expose American soldiers to different foods in the mid and later 20th century. The soldiers brought back these delightfully delicious bears to their families after being stationed overseas.
Gummies become famous when Hollywood started taking an interest. Gummy teddies found roles in so many forms of popular media, like TV shows, movies, and even musicals. Disney released The Adventures of the Gummi Bears in the ‘80s, and the candies even played a part in the Broadway show Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Sleep is vital to a function, happy life…but sometimes is so hard to achieve. But good news – is cannabis now the #1 sleep aid?
Post hoildays, pre-summer, extra work and more – all leading to less sleep and even struggling to fall asleep. Roughly 14.5% of adults had trouble falling asleep and 17.8% of adults had trouble staying asleep. It is such an issue, people tend to drink more coffee in the winter months, especially January. But is cannabis now the #1 sleep aid? More people are turning to marijuana for help, with promising results for those struggling with insomnia and other sleep disorders.
A recent study published in Exploration of Medicine revealed that over 80% of participants reported cannabis helps them relax their mind and body for sleep. Additionally, 56% said it helps them achieve deeper sleep, and 41% reported longer sleep duration. Sleep issues can interfere with work, relationships, driving, and more. It can lead to trouble learning, focusing, and reacting. Sleep deficiency also can make you feel frustrated, cranky, or worried in social situations.
Benefits of Cannabis for Sleep
Cannabis may offer several advantages for sleep:
Faster sleep onset: THC can reduce sleep onset latency, helping users fall asleep more quickly.
Increased sleep duration: Some users report longer total sleep time when using cannabis.
Improved sleep quality: Cannabis may enhance slow-wave sleep and overall sleep satisfaction.
Reduced nightmares: THC can decrease REM sleep, potentially benefiting those with PTSD-related nightmares.
Comparison to Conventional Sleep Aids
Many users find cannabis more effective than traditional sleep medications:
In a 2022 study, 39% of participants stopped using their sleep medication after starting cannabis use, with 71% reporting improved sleep.
Cannabis users reported feeling more refreshed, focused, and better able to function the morning after use compared to conventional sleep aids.
Over 80% of survey participants no longer use sleep medications, preferring cannabis instead.
While research continues, these findings suggest cannabis may be a promising alternative for those seeking better sleep. However, it’s important to note individual responses may vary, and consulting with a healthcare professional is advised before using cannabis as a sleep aid.
Representative Dina Titus (D) Nevada is the new chair of the cannabis caucus in Congress – will it make a difference?
She has been appointed co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, succeeding retiring Congressman Earl Blumenauer. This appointment, announced on January 2, 2025, positions her as a leading voice on cannabis-related issues in Congress. But will representative Dina Titus help cannabis? Her co-chair is Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and both are in the minority party. The causcas has included bi-partisan chairs, but it is troubling at critical point, the marijority is not represented in leadership.
Titus represents Nevada’s 1st Congressional District. This includes Las Vegas, home of the national largest dispensary Planet 13 and soon to open Cannabition, an immersive cannabis experience. But does she have the political savvy and clout to make headway, especially since the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson (R-LA) is against the green plant?
As the doyenne off of the Nevada delegation, she has established herself as an effective lawmaker, focusing on issues such as affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and environmental protection. With a background in education, Titus taught American and Nevada government at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for 34 years before retiring in 2011. She serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Some of her positions have run counter to the current admisntartion including legislation to ban bump stocks and her vocal support for the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. Titus has championed policies supporting children, seniors, and people with disabilities5. Her commitment to public service and her constituents has made her a respected figure in Nevada politics and on Capitol Hill.
Titus aims to address several key issues:
Banking services and tax treatment for cannabis businesses
Veteran access to medical cannabis through the VA
Reforming the federal scheduling of marijuana
While 24 states have legalized recreational cannabis use, it remains a Schedule I drug under federal law. Titus advocates for federal recognition of the cannabis industry’s responsible practices in these states. Titus has emphasized the need for federal reform, stating, “It is time for the federal government to recognize that and treat it accordingly”. Her appointment is seen as a step in advancing cannabis policy reform at the national level.
Cannabis industry leaders and advocates have expressed strong support for Titus’s appointment, citing her long-standing advocacy and knowledge of the challenges faced by cannabis businesses. With Mike Johnson and others seeing cannabis as an enemy, it will take wisdom, strength, ally building and more to have movement.
He has a big audience and a huge voice with the administration – so what about Joe Rogan and marijuana?
In a surprising turn of events, hemp is starting to rival marijuana in sales, marking a significant shift in the cannabis industry landscape. As of 2025, the industrial hemp market has experienced explosive growth. Meanwhile, marijuana has acceptance by almost 90% of the country, but the 10% against it include leaders in DC. The small group seems to have blocked a path for profitably for thousands of mom and pop marijuana companies. Currently, it is unclear what the new administration will do with the rescheduling, SAFE Banking and more. But amid the chaos, hemp hums along ibeing carried in mainstream retailers like Total Wine and convience stores, allowing them access to large customer bases.
“Hemp is living the cannabis dream. No 280E tax or punitive state excise taxes exist, while direct-to-consumer sales and interstate commerce are allowed. Intoxicating hemp is being treated like a regular commodity, while cannabis remains in the penalty box.” shared Jesse Redmond, an executive at LEEF Holdings.
The surge in hemp’s popularity can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the legalization of industrial hemp farming in many countries has opened up new opportunities for large-scale cultivation and production. In the United States, the 2018 Farm Bill paved the way for the cultivation and sale of hemp, separating it legally from marijuana by establishing a THC threshold of 0.3%.
Hemp’s versatility has been a key driver of its success. The plant offers a wide range of applications across various industries, including textiles, construction, packaging, and personal care. Moreover, the increasing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products has fueled the growth of the hemp market, as hemp requires fewer resources to produce compared to other crops.
The rise of CBD products has also contributed significantly to hemp’s dominance. The wellness and pharmaceutical sectors have seen a surge in demand for hemp-derived CBD, further boosting the market. In fact, the top 10 best-selling THC beverage brands, many of which are hemp-based, represented 59% of all total cannabis drink sales in the year ending June 2024.
Daniel Shortt, one of the partners at the Seattle firm Salzhauer & Shortt shares “At this stage, it is anyone’s guess how the new administration is going to approach cannabis. The new president has sent mixed message about cannabis, but it is clearly not a priority for the next few months which could be good for the largely unregulated hemp-derivative market.
The new administration began before the cannabis rescheduling process concluded, and an administrative law judge has now paused that process for at least 90 days. With the future of federal reform so uncertain, it’s likely that hemp products will continue to be sold widely across the country under the 2018 Farm Bill, despite significant pushback at the state level—unless Congress amends the next version of the Farm Bill. The current version of the Farm Bill governs the production of hemp but does not specifically regulate the manufacture and distribution of hemp products. While the FDA has opposed these products, it has done little to enforce actions against them. It seems unlikely that halting the spread of hemp products will be a priority for new adminstration’s FDA.”