As the U.S. enters the height of election season, a new national survey shows that legislative cannabis policy diverges from public sentiment when it comes to consumers’ reported emotional health, safety and economic benefits of allowing home cannabis cultivation.
The 2024 survey of Americans 21 and older conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Royal Queen Seeds (RQS), a cannabis seed bank, shows that 59% of Americans agree that people should have the right to legally grow cannabis at home.
Thoughts on 4/20 Shopping
Survey participants also shared their thoughts on cannabis home grow laws as well as habits and purchasing patterns tied to 4/20, the largest cannabis sales day of the year. The results indicate continued normalization of cannabis in the U.S.
- 37% of Americans (21+) agree that they would consider buying cannabis seeds as a gift for someone on 4/20
- 66% of cannabis consumers agree that they would consider buying cannabis seeds as a gift for someone on 4/20
- 81% of cannabis consumers who plan on growing this year agree that they plan to buy cannabis seeds on 4/20 for themselves
Benefits of Home Grown Cannabis
It’s no wonder Americans believe that growing cannabis at home should be legal—more than 40% of American households already cultivate their food, according to the survey. Why would they not be allowed to grow their cannabis in a home garden, especially when marijuana consumers who have grown at home are reaping a multitude of tangible benefits from it?
- 49% say doing so gives them a sense of confidence; 48% a sense of joy; 46% a sense of pride; 34% a sense of ease; 44% a connectedness with nature or Earth
- 47% say they do so because it is fun
- 43% said it is more cost-effective than buying cannabis flower in a store
- 39% said the quality of the flower is better compared to store-bought
Habits of a Home Grower
The survey also polled cannabis consumers on an array of cultivation topics:
- 26% of cannabis consumers have grown at home
- 21% who have not grown at home would like to try
- 56% of cannabis consumers who have grown cannabis at home admit to singing or playing music for their cannabis plants
- 61% who plan to grow cannabis at home this year plan on growing in Spring (March-May); 49% in Summer (June-August); 24% in Fall (Sep-Nov); 29% in Winter (Dec-Feb)
- 61% who plan to grow cannabis at home this year say they will grow cannabis from seeds; 21% from clones or seedlings
- 44% who plan to grow cannabis at home this year say they will grow indoors; 33% outdoors
“All adults should be allowed to grow their own cannabis alongside their fruits and vegetables, if they so choose, without the fear of financial or criminal penalties,” said Shai Ramsahai, President of Royal Queen Seeds, in a news release. “There are many reasons people enjoy growing at home, from cost savings and knowing how their plants were grown, to just plain old having fun. Royal Queen Seeds is here to champion them through their journey, whatever their reason, with more than 100 seed strains, including F1 hybrids, and one of the largest catalogs of best practices for home cultivation.”
