Survey Reveals Majority of American Adults Plan to Use or Gift Cannabis This Valentine’s Day

NEW YORK – Move over roses! A different type of “flower” may be taking over Valentine’s Day. Data from a recent online survey conducted by Wired Research found that 3 in 5 (61%) American adults ages 21 and over (“American adults”)1 – or nearly 148 million2 individuals – plan to incorporate cannabis into their Valentine’s Day plans in 2023, either by using it or giving it as a gift. The survey, commissioned by Verano Holdings Corp., a leading multi-state cannabis company, shows that attitudes and purchasing behaviors towards cannabis are shifting in the U.S., with more interest, acceptance and personal cannabis usage leading the way. Data from the survey suggests the traditional Valentine’s Day gifts of flowers and chocolates may see real competition in 2023 with close to 2 in 5 (37%, or close to 55 million3) American adults stating they would be happy to receive cannabis as a gift this Valentine’s Day. The overall findings of the survey show a significant shift in American adults’ attitudes towards cannabis, signaling a reduction in stigma and increased acceptance of cannabis use.

Results of the survey suggest an evolution of traditional behaviors and attitudes surrounding Valentine’s Day, with cannabis gaining acceptance and adoption from all types of Americans, most notably:

• More than 19 million⁴ American adults ages 21+ (13%) who plan to incorporate cannabis into their Valentine’s Day this year do not plan on drinking alcohol to celebrate.
• Men are more likely than women (66% vs. 57%) to incorporate cannabis into Valentine’s Day plans.
• Gen Z and Millennials are significantly more likely than Gen X and Boomers to include cannabis in their Valentine’s Day plans (70% vs. 57%).
• One of the more surprising statistics found that American adult parents were significantly more likely than their peers without children (69% vs. 57%) to consider making cannabis a part of their Valentine’s Day celebration this year.
• There is also a perceived increase in romance and sexual performance, with about 1 in 4 (24%, or more than 35 million⁵) American adults believing cannabis use will put them in a more romantic mood, and about 1 in 4 (23%), or more than 32 million⁶ American adults who use cannabis, also report that it improves their sex life.

Accessibility to legal cannabis may be a driver in the uptick of intended Valentine’s Day cannabis use, as the survey found American adults in the Northeast were the most likely to use or gift cannabis this year (66% vs. 55% in the Midwest, 61% in the West, and 63% in the South). The regional interest in cannabis may be attributed to several states in the Northeast, including Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and New Jersey, introducing legal recreational cannabis programs within the past 12 months.

“Cannabis can have a decidedly positive impact on romance and intimacy, especially on occasions like Valentine’s Day where there are so many external stresses and pressures to make the day special,” said CannaSexual® sex coach Ashley Manta. “The data from the survey show that Americans use cannabis to relax or improve their mood, which can help people be present and more connected, which is crucial to a better love life,” added Dr. Shannon Chavez, a psychologist and nationally recognized sex therapist based in Beverly Hills. “Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity for couples to try something new together and try a more dynamic and less formulaic approach to intimacy, which cannabis can help inspire.”

Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by Wired Research between January 24, 2023, and January 29, 2023, among 961 nationally representative Americans aged 21+ using an email invitation and online survey. The study has a margin of error of +/- 3.2%.

(This information is primarily sourced from Wired Research.  Highly Capitalized has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Read our Disclaimer here).