Study Finds Millennials and Boomers Have Similar Marijuana Preferences
According to a new study conducted by Verilife, a dispensary operator under the PharmaCann umbrella, there are more similarities than differences in regards to how millennials and baby boomers consume their marijuana.
The study, which was first reported on by High Times, found that inhaled cannabis is the preferred method of use for both groups, possibly because of familiarity. “Boomers are used to smoking joints and pipes instead of imbibing other ways, and even some Millennials started using cannabis at a time when smoking was more common than taking edibles or using newer inventions like vape pens.” Later studies may reveal that Generation Z users aren’t as used to inhaled products.
Another reason inhalation might be the most common way to consume marijuana in both groups is economics. “Flower is one of the most inexpensive ways to buy cannabis, meaning that younger consumers with less income may decide to opt for it even if other options are appealing and available.” Also, “accessibility plays a role, as cannabis is sold in every dispensary in legal states, and is an easy-to-understand method of consumption.”
However, there are some differences.
“One of the biggest differences between how Millennials and Boomers consume marijuana lies within the reasons why each generation consumes,” the study continues. “For Millennials, nearly half consume for recreational reasons, which is a stark contrast to Boomers who are twice as likely to use marijuana solely for medical reasons. Among those who consume for medical reasons, the top health ailments vary between generations. For example, Millennials cite chronic pain (27 percent) and migraines (13 percent) as their top medical reasons compared to Boomers who consume for arthritis (15 percent) and chronic pain (13 percent).”
Millennials and Boomers both reported that they use cannabis for relaxation Both groups also reported they spend about the same amount of money each month on cannabis, and that “consumption has increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the study, monthly spending on average has gone up about $27 a month for individuals, in addition to the $76 on average that individuals spent before COVID.”
“According to respondents, Millennials are more likely to consider themselves daily consumers. In fact, 1 in 5 Millennials said they consume marijuana daily compared to just 12 percent of Boomers.”
These findings show that although baby boomers and millennials aren’t exactly the same type of marijuana consumers, they aren’t far off.