Older Medical Cannabis Patients and Those Treating Anxiety Spend More Per Dispensary Visit
A pilot survey of 132 medical marijuana patients found they spent an average of $41 per dispensary visit, with older patients and those using cannabis for anxiety or sleep spending significantly more than those treating chronic pain.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
This pilot study surveyed 132 medical marijuana patients as they exited four dispensaries in Long Beach, California. The average amount spent on marijuana buds in a single transaction was $40.82, ranging from $10 to $255.
Age and medical condition predicted spending differences. For every 10-year increase in age, patients spent approximately 10% more per visit. Patients with recommendations for anxiety, sleeping problems, or other nonspecified conditions spent significantly more per transaction than those treating chronic pain.
These purchasing patterns may reflect differences in product preferences, consumption rates, or the relative difficulty of managing different conditions with cannabis.
Key Numbers
Average spending: $40.82 per visit. Range: $10-$255. 132 patients across 4 dispensaries. 10-year age increase associated with 10% higher spending. Anxiety/sleep patients spent more than chronic pain patients.
How They Did This
Exit survey of 132 medical marijuana patients (33 per dispensary) at four purposively sampled dispensary locations in Long Beach, California, in 2012. Multivariate regression analyzed spending in relation to demographics, medical conditions, and location.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding purchasing behavior helps characterize how patients actually use dispensaries and allocate personal resources to cannabis treatment. This data is relevant for policy makers, researchers studying patient-level economics, and dispensary operators.
The Bigger Picture
As medical cannabis programs expand, understanding the financial burden on patients is important. The finding that anxiety and sleep patients spend more than pain patients suggests these conditions may require higher or more frequent dosing, or that these patient populations choose different (potentially more expensive) products.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small pilot sample from one city. Exit surveys capture only one purchase and may not reflect typical behavior. Only marijuana buds were measured, excluding concentrates, edibles, and other products. 2012 data predates significant market evolution.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why do anxiety/sleep patients spend more than pain patients?
- ?Do older patients buy more per visit because they visit less frequently?
- ?How have purchasing patterns changed as product options have expanded?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Average $41 per visit, with anxiety/sleep patients spending more than pain patients
- Evidence Grade:
- Small pilot study with convenience sampling from one city. Provides initial data but very limited generalizability.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2016 using 2012 data from Long Beach, California. The medical cannabis market has transformed dramatically since.
- Original Title:
- Correlates of Amount Spent on Marijuana Buds During a Discrete Purchase at Medical Marijuana Dispensaries: Results from a Pilot Study.
- Published In:
- Journal of psychoactive drugs, 48(1), 50-5 (2016)
- Authors:
- Kepple, Nancy Jo, Mulholland, Elycia(2), Freisthler, Bridget(6), Schaper, Elizabeth
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01194
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical marijuana patients spend per dispensary visit?
In this 2012 pilot study, patients averaged $41 per visit on marijuana buds, ranging from $10 to $255.
Does spending differ by medical condition?
Yes. Patients using cannabis for anxiety or sleep problems spent significantly more per visit than those treating chronic pain.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- CBD-oil-quality-guide
- anxiety-medication-after-quitting-weed
- cannabis-chemotherapy-nausea
- cannabis-chronic-pain-research
- cannabis-epilepsy-CBD-Epidiolex
- cbd-anxiety-research-evidence
- cbd-for-weed-withdrawal
- cbd-vs-thc-difference
- medical-benefits-of-cannabis
- quitting-weed-before-surgery
- quitting-weed-medication-interactions
- quitting-weed-pregnancy
- quitting-weed-pregnant
- seniors-older-adults-cannabis-risks-medications
- weed-breastfeeding-THC-breast-milk
- medical-card-worth-it-2026-benefits-costs
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01194APA
Kepple, Nancy Jo; Mulholland, Elycia; Freisthler, Bridget; Schaper, Elizabeth. (2016). Correlates of Amount Spent on Marijuana Buds During a Discrete Purchase at Medical Marijuana Dispensaries: Results from a Pilot Study.. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 48(1), 50-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2015.1116719
MLA
Kepple, Nancy Jo, et al. "Correlates of Amount Spent on Marijuana Buds During a Discrete Purchase at Medical Marijuana Dispensaries: Results from a Pilot Study.." Journal of psychoactive drugs, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2015.1116719
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Correlates of Amount Spent on Marijuana Buds During a Discre..." RTHC-01194. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/kepple-2016-correlates-of-amount-spent
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.