A study involving more than 3,000 recent cannabis consumers and medical marijuana patients found widespread support for state-issued QR codes providing access to testing results, compliance information, recalls and other product data.
The report, conducted by Cannabis Public Policy Consulting (CPPC), surveyed 3,061 past-month cannabis consumers across 33 U.S. jurisdictions with legal medical or recreational marijuana markets. The research was commissioned by cannabis tracking company Metrc, although CPPC says it retained sole control over the study’s methodology, findings and conclusions.
Respondents were shown a demonstration of a state-issued QR code linked to product verification information, laboratory testing data, cannabinoid and terpene profiles, licensing information and public health resources.
Among those surveyed, 100% said the QR-code functionality made them feel more protected by their state cannabis regulator. Another 91% said it helped them better understand consumer safeguards, 90% said it would make them more likely to purchase from a licensed dispensary, 89% said it increased their confidence in the legal cannabis market and 88% said it would help distinguish regulated products from unregulated alternatives.
Participants also expressed strong interest in the information accessible through the codes. Ninety-one percent valued confirmation that a product complies with state requirements, 89% valued laboratory testing verification, 88% valued recall notifications and 86% valued product and licensing information. Another 86% valued cannabinoid and terpene profiles.
The study also examined how much consumers might pay for products offering the additional transparency. Among 1,886 respondents who provided valid answers to that portion of the survey, the average stated willingness to pay was an additional $3.48, with a median of $2.
More than 95% supported making the same QR code-accessible information available across regulated cannabis product types. Researchers concluded that standardized state-issued QR systems could help increase confidence in legal products and make regulatory oversight more visible to consumers.
The researchers cautioned that the survey used a non-probability sample and therefore should not be interpreted as nationally representative. Participants also evaluated a demonstration rather than an operating QR-code program, meaning the study measured perceptions and stated purchasing intentions rather than actual changes in consumer behavior.
Related posts:
Nebraska Governor Candidate Lynne Walz Vows Day-One Executive Order to Expedite Medical Marijuana Ac...
Smart Approaches to Marijuana and Affiliate Report $310,000 in Federal Lobbying Through September, T...
