Cannabis

Social and cultural shifts accompanied by changes in laws spark new opportunities

Overview

Cannabis is a mind-altering drug derived from a plant called “Cannabaceae” and is consumed by either smoking or consuming products that have been infused with chemicals found in the plant, namely THC and CBD. While the drug has had a shaky history with the US government, several states have started legalizing the drug in both medical and recreational use cases due to shifting cultural sentiment about cannabis. For medical use cases, a consultation with a professional is required, and, in most instances, the patient is provided with a cannabis card that serves as a prescription at any authorized dispensary.

As of late 2022, around 38 states have legalized medical cannabis and around 19 states have legalized recreational cannabis. Estimates show that nine more states are slated to legalize recreational cannabis by 2030. This has led to an emergence of a cannabis economy, composed of cultivators, extractors and infusers, specialized retailers, prescribers, and consultants.

Note: Additional sections (such as market sizing and incumbents) can be provided on request.

Market Mapping


Incumbents
Expansion
Go-to-Market
Minimum Viable Product
Ideation
?
Cultivators
?
Dispensaries
?
Extractors and infusers
?
Prescribers
?
Consultants and testers
?
MarijuanaDoctors.com
MarijuanaDoctors.com
MarijuanaDoctors.com
MarijuanaDoctors.com
MarijuanaDoctors.com

The Disruptors


Funding History

Notable Investors


?
Funding data are powered by Crunchbase
arrow
menuarrow
close

Contact us

Gain access to all industry hubs, market maps, research tools, and more
Get a demo

Overview

What is cannabis and which states have given the green light?

Cannabis is the umbrella term for all products (marijuana and hemp) derived from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plants. These contain chemical compounds called cannabinoids that cause drug-like effects throughout the body. The cannabis plant contains over 100 cannabinoids, the most well-known of which are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is responsible for the plant's psychoactive effects (the feeling of being high), whereas CBD has potential medicinal properties without the high. 
Cannabis legalization in the US is a complex and evolving issue, with different states implementing varying laws and regulations. While cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, an increasing number of states have legalized it for medical and/or recreational use. 
Cannabis for medical use was legalized in 37 states and Washington DC, as of February 2023. However, medical cannabis products are not FDA-approved and patients can only purchase them with a doctor’s recommendation from dispensaries in states where it is legal. Some cannabis-based medications that are FDA-approved for specific conditions are not available at dispensaries. 
Recreational cannabis (adult use) for personal enjoyment can only be sold to individuals over 21 years. Currently, 21 states and the three territories have legalized this type of cannabis consumption. 
Cannabis legalization has been sporadic over the years, with 2016 seeing the most number of states (10) legalizing the drug. This surge was mainly tied to the 2016 elections, where voters from several states passed cannabis laws that were on the ballot.
Click here to learn more
Get a demo

By using this site, you agree to allow SPEEDA Edge and our partners to use cookies for analytics and personalization. Visit our privacy policy for more information about our data collection practices.