74% of US Vape Shops Sell Intoxicating Cannabis Products, with 188 Brands Identified
A national survey found 74% of vape shops across 48 states sell intoxicating cannabis products, with 188 unique brands identified — the first systematic documentation of this rapidly growing market.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
74% of 520 surveyed vape shops sold intoxicating cannabis products (ICPs). Products were available in 48 of 50 states plus territories. 273 shops provided brand information, identifying 188 unique brands (average 2.4 per shop). Top brands: Torch (12.7%), Mellow Fellow (9.7%), Cake (8.4%), Modus (8.0%), Delta Extrax (7.6%).
Key Numbers
520 vape shops surveyed. 74% sold ICPs. 48 states/territories had shops selling ICPs. 188 unique brands identified. Average 2.4 brands per shop. Top brand: Torch (12.7%).
How They Did This
Telephone surveys of 520 vape shops across all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico (November-December 2023). 10 shops per state/territory identified via Google Maps. Asked about THC product availability and popular brands.
Why This Research Matters
Since the 2018 Farm Bill, intoxicating hemp-derived products (like delta-8 THC) have proliferated with minimal regulation. This study documents the scale of the problem: nearly three-quarters of vape shops now sell these products in virtually every state.
The Bigger Picture
The near-universal availability of intoxicating cannabis products in vape shops — regardless of state cannabis laws — represents a major regulatory gap. These products are accessible to consumers (including youth) without the quality controls, testing requirements, or purchase age limits that apply to legal recreational cannabis.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Telephone survey may not capture all products or newer brands. 10 shops per state may not represent full market. Self-reported product availability. Rapidly evolving market may have changed since 2023.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are these products being purchased by minors?
- ?What quality and safety standards apply to these products?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- First systematic national survey of ICP availability with good geographic coverage, but telephone methodology and rapidly evolving market limit completeness.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication with November-December 2023 data.
- Original Title:
- Brands of Intoxicating Cannabis Products in Vape Shops: United States, 2023.
- Published In:
- Substance use & misuse, 1-4 (2025)
- Authors:
- Tillett, Kayla K(5), LoParco, Cassidy R(26), Rossheim, Matthew E(14), Chen-Sankey, Julia, Trangenstein, Pamela J, Berg, Carla J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07797
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are THC products sold in vape shops?
Yes. This national survey found 74% of vape shops across 48 states sell intoxicating cannabis products, most derived from hemp and marketed under the 2018 Farm Bill. 188 unique brands were identified.
Are hemp-derived THC products regulated?
Minimally. This study documents that intoxicating cannabis products are sold in nearly three-quarters of US vape shops regardless of state cannabis laws, highlighting significant regulatory gaps in product testing, labeling, and age restrictions.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07797APA
Tillett, Kayla K; LoParco, Cassidy R; Rossheim, Matthew E; Chen-Sankey, Julia; Trangenstein, Pamela J; Berg, Carla J. (2025). Brands of Intoxicating Cannabis Products in Vape Shops: United States, 2023.. Substance use & misuse, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2592227
MLA
Tillett, Kayla K, et al. "Brands of Intoxicating Cannabis Products in Vape Shops: United States, 2023.." Substance use & misuse, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2592227
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Brands of Intoxicating Cannabis Products in Vape Shops: Unit..." RTHC-07797. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/tillett-2025-brands-of-intoxicating-cannabis
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.