Home-Grown Support: Americans Back Legal Cannabis Cultivation

Survey Shows Overwhelming American Consensus: Legalizing Home Cannabis Cultivation Gains Strong Support, Backed by Health, Safety, and Economic Benefits

Introduction:

As the United States gears up for the peak of election season, a recent national survey sheds light on a significant gap between legislative cannabis policies and public sentiment. The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Royal Queen Seeds (RQS), one of the globe’s leading cannabis seed banks, delves into Americans’ attitudes regarding the emotional health, safety, and economic benefits associated with allowing home cannabis cultivation.

Key Findings:

According to the 2024 survey, which targeted Americans aged 21 and above, conducted online:

Legalization Support:  A striking 59% of Americans advocate for the right to legally grow cannabis at home.

Consumer Consensus:  An overwhelming 81% of cannabis consumers back the notion of home cultivation, with 62% expressing a preference for growing their own cannabis over purchasing it.

Safety Concerns:  Among cannabis consumers who have cultivated at home, 34% cite feeling safer consuming their own home-grown product compared to store-bought cannabis.

These findings underscore the perceived importance of home cultivation in shaping effective cannabis legalization legislation, alongside regulated sales and record expungement.

Implications for Legislation:

The nationally representative survey, conducted in February 2024, canvassed over 2,000 adults aged 21 and older, including 713 cannabis consumers. Beyond insights into home cultivation preferences, participants also shared their perspectives on cannabis purchasing habits tied to 4/20, a significant day in the cannabis calendar.

4/20 Shopping Insights:

• 37% of all adults surveyed expressed openness to purchasing cannabis seeds as gifts on 4/20.
• A remarkable 66% of cannabis consumers would consider buying cannabis seeds as 4/20 gifts.
• Notably, 81% of cannabis consumers intending to grow cannabis this year plan to acquire cannabis seeds for themselves on 4/20.

Benefits of Home-Grown Cannabis:

The survey points to a variety of tangible benefits experienced by home growers:

• Personal Satisfaction: Over 40% of American households already cultivate food, and respondents believe they should have the same right to grow cannabis. Benefits cited include heightened confidence (49%), joy (48%), pride (46%), ease (34%), and a sense of connectedness with nature (44%).
• Enjoyment:  Nearly half (47%) of home growers cited fun as a motivating factor.
• Cost and Quality: A substantial proportion mentioned cost-effectiveness (43%) and superior quality (39%) compared to store-bought cannabis.

Habits of Home Growers:

The survey also explored various cultivation practices:

• Current and Aspiring Growers:  Approximately 26% of cannabis consumers have already cultivated cannabis at home, with an additional 21% expressing interest in doing so.
• Seasonal Preferences:  The majority of respondents planning to grow cannabis at home (61%) intend to do so during spring, with smaller percentages planning for summer (49%), fall (24%), and winter (29%).
• Cultivation Methods: A significant proportion of potential home growers (61%) plan to start with seeds, while others opt for clones or seedlings (21%). Additionally, 44% plan to grow indoors, and 33% outdoors.

Conclusion:

Shai Ramsahai, President of Royal Queen Seeds, emphasizes the importance of granting all adults the freedom to grow cannabis at home without fear of repercussions. With over 100 seed strains and a wealth of cultivation resources, RQS aims to support individuals on their home-growing journey.