Study Finds Strong Consumer Support for State Cannabis QR Codes

LOS ANGELES – Cannabis Public Policy Consulting conducted the study, surveying over 3,000 past-month Cannabis consumers across 33 U.S. jurisdictions with legal medical or adult-use markets. Metrc commissioned the work, though the consulting firm retained independent control over methods, findings and conclusions.

Respondents viewed a demonstration of a state-issued QR code linking to laboratory results, cannabinoid and terpene profiles, licensing details, recall notices and public-health resources. All participants said the QR-code feature made them feel more protected by their state Cannabis regulator:

• 91% reported it improved their understanding of consumer safeguards.
• 90% said it would make them more likely to buy from a licensed dispensary.
• 89% indicated greater confidence in the legal market, and
• 88% said the codes would help distinguish regulated products from unregulated ones.

Consumers also ranked the specific information highly:

• 91% valued confirmation of state compliance.
• 89% valued laboratory testing verification.
• 88% valued recall notifications, and
• 86% valued both product-and-licensing details and cannabinoid-terpene profiles.

More than 95% supported extending the same QR-accessible information across all regulated product types. Among 1,886 respondents who answered a willingness-to-pay question, the average stated premium was $3.48, with a median of $2.

The researchers noted limits. The sample was non-probability-based and should not be read as nationally representative. Participants reacted to a demonstration rather than a live system, so the results capture stated perceptions and intentions rather than observed buying behavior.

The survey provides valuable insight into how consumers respond to visible regulatory tools. The consistent association between QR-enabled transparency and reported confidence, combined with measurable willingness to pay, suggests these systems could help licensed operators differentiate products in markets where regulated and unregulated sources still compete. Regulators and operators reviewing the data will want to weigh the stated intentions against real-world adoption rates once standardized codes move from demonstration to everyday use.

Photo courtesy: istockphoto.com