Rolling into Wellness 4 in 10 Californians Choose Cannabis, Study Reveals

LOS ANGELES – A comprehensive study conducted by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) reveals that 37% of California adults are current marijuana users, with the vast majority reporting significant health benefits. Published in the Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in June 2025, the Impact 64 study surveyed over 15,000 Californians between December 2022 and February 2023, with more than 4,000 identified as current cannabis users. The research, supported by the California Department of Cannabis Control, provides a detailed look at cannabis use patterns since the legalization of recreational marijuana under Proposition 64 in 2016.

Among current users, 38% reported using marijuana multiple times a day, 33% used it four times per week to daily, and 30% used it three times per week or less. The study found that 82% of users reported improvements in mental health, 81% in emotional well-being, and 62% in physical health. Other perceived benefits included clearer thinking (63%), improved relationships (57%), and enhanced work performance (42%). However, 21% of users noted negative effects such as brain fog and lack of motivation.

The research highlighted that 77% of users obtain cannabis from licensed dispensaries, with 35% using delivery services and 32% sourcing from friends. Popular consumption methods include flower (80%), edibles (61%), and vaping (66%), with only 9% of users sticking to a single product type. Despite 78% of users feeling comfortable discussing cannabis with their healthcare providers, only 66% reported that their doctors were aware of their use, and just 15% sought dosing information from medical professionals. Instead, 51% relied on the internet and 50% on friends or family for information.

Dr. Linda Hill, principal investigator and distinguished professor at UCSD’s Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, noted,

“Our study provides the first comprehensive understanding of cannabis use patterns in California since the implementation of Proposition 64.”

The researchers emphasized the need for further studies to explore long-term health impacts and risks, such as impaired driving, and to improve communication between patients and healthcare providers.

With California’s cannabis market generating over $4.2 billion in sales in 2024, the findings underscore the state’s role as a leader in cannabis policy and the importance of ongoing research to eliminate stigma and guide public health initiatives.