Based on a Leafly analysis of national revenue and tax data, both recreational and medical marijuana sales in America rose by 67% in 2020 as compared to last year. Total marijuana sales this year are $17.9 Billion, which is $7.2 billion higher than 2019’s sales.
Leafly says the major cause of the improved sales was an augment in the average buying size of customers, who increased their 30-day marijuana purchases between 25% and 40% on average.
The report reads that nine states (Connecticut, Florida, Arkansas, Maine, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Illinois and New Jersey) had cannabis sales twice the 2019’s figures. Maine, notably, unveiled adult-use sales after about four years of deferrals. Its medical marijuana sales exceeded hay, wild blueberry, milk and potato sales becoming the state’s top lucrative plant.
The report adds that Florida’s medicinal marijuana sales reached $1.2 billion in 2020. This makes the state the fourth-biggest marijuana market in America this year, coming second to adult-use states of Washington, Colorado and California.
Leafly evaluated the final weeks of marijuana sales through using the average of the previous 90 days of revenue numbers. However, it plans to launch a comprehensive report of the year’s sales numbers in its yearly Cannabis Jobs Report that the firm plans to unveil come February.
Gluts of states have recorded skyrocketing sales despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which has culminated in movement-restriction orders and economic recessions across the United States. However, marijuana enterprises have stayed open since they’re termed as essential services.
For instance, according to a report from the Philadelphia Enquirer, dispensaries in Pennsylvania experienced a 70% rise in 7-day patient visits between February and August. New Mexico sales also rose by 55% during this year’s first half.
Voters from six states passed either medical or adult-use marijuana legalization reforms, amid the General Election and coronavirus pandemic.
