Trust Issues: New survey finds gaps in consumers’ trust in dispensaries 

According to an annual online survey conducted by Royal Queen Seeds (RQS), 72% of cannabis consumers are concerned about the presence of pesticides in cannabis purchased from dispensaries, while 67% said they would purchase cannabis with lower THC levels if it was grown without pesticides. Meanwhile, 65% said media coverage about marijuana has made them more inclined to grow the plant at home. 

“Consumers today are more informed and more intentional about what they put into their bodies,” said Shai Ramsahai, president of RQS, in a recent press release “Blindly buying products just because of a high THC percentage is a fading trend. People want cannabis they can trust, and many are turning to home cultivation to take control over quality and safety.” 

RQS, an online seed bank that was founded in Amsterdam in 2007, has become a popular repository for those who prefer to grow their own cannabis. And as cannabis legalization continues to expand, as does the legal framework that permits individuals to grow cannabis at home. In Arizona, for example, anyone 21 and older can grow up to six marijuana plants.

There were 2,017 individuals, aged 21 and up, who responded to the survey, with 851 of participants being cannabis consumers. Data from the survey revealed other habits amongst cannabis consumers, including that 71% of cannabis consumers prefer being high than being drunk; a figure that increased to 81% amongst Gen Z participants. 

While pesticides used within legal cannabis cultivation are tested and regulated, results from the survey reveal that there is ongoing distrust within the legal cannabis market. And in 2022, the Arizona Republic published an investigative story that found that some cannabis products sold had pesticide levels that were 20 times higher than the legal limit. While the cannabis market has come a long way since then, it’s clear that there are continuing concerns about safety within the legal market. 

As a reminder, test results on cannabis products should always be visible, usually found by scanning a QR code.