Poll: Half Of Cannabis Consumers’ Intake Increased After Trump Elected
April 11, 2025
Four months into the Trump administration, recent executive actions may be influencing how people consume, choose, and grow cannabis.
In a new poll asking a variety of questions about consumer safety, 50% of participants said that the new presidential administration will lead them to consume more cannabis than they did before.
The poll surveyed American adults 21 and older, and was conducted online from March 13-17 by The Harris Poll on behalf of Royal Queen Seeds. Consumers who participated in the poll were asked about their intake, the safety of cannabis products, and growing cannabis at home.
The poll surveyed 2,011 adults ages 21 and older. Of those, 782 self-identified as cannabis consumers. It asked adult consumers about their personal cannabis routines. Half of cannabis consumers, or 50%, say the new presidential administration will lead them to consume more cannabis than they did before. Young female cannabis consumers were most likely to say their intake increased, making up 59% of young female cannabis consumers ages 21–34. Participants were not asked about the reasons for their increased intake of cannabis.
In April, a series of reciprocal tariffs were announced, impacting nearly every business sector including the cannabis industry, hitting the price of vape units manufactured overseas. Anxiety about recent events in the White House could play a role in cannabis consumer habits.
Concerns About Product Safety
The poll also asked questions about consumer safety of cannabis products. It indicates that 54% of Americans believe most store-bought cannabis contains pesticides. Similarly, among, 62% of cannabis consumers say they are concerned about not knowing exactly what is in the cannabis products they consume.
Recent news articles have pointed out that a high rate of products were linked to contaminated cannabis, product recalls, and inconsistent testing in states including California, Michigan and New Jersey.
Unsafe levels of pesticides or insecticides like chlorfenapyr were detected in a recent Los Angeles Times investigation last published last December. Articles like these could be influencing consumer behavior and how products are chosen. A similar series of recalls and embargoes due to unsafe ingredients impacted products in California.
Interest in Home Cultivation Grows
The survey also showed that consumers are increasingly turning to home cultivation as a way to ensure quality and reduce exposure to contaminants. Among cannabis users who have read cannabis-related news, 32% said it made them more likely to want to grow cannabis at home instead of buying it.
Support for legal home cultivation is also increasing: 64% of respondents said all Americans should have the right to legally grow cannabis at home, up from 59% in 2024. Additionally, 15% of consumers said they currently grow cannabis at home, up from 11% the year prior.
“Home cultivation is becoming more than just a hobby–it’s a growing part of the cannabis experience,” said Shai Ramsahai, President of Royal Queen Seeds. “More and more consumers are looking for transparency, quality and control over what they consume, and growing at home gives them a direct path to all three.”
The poll also found that 76% believe growing cannabis at home would save money compared to buying from dispensaries. However, 58% said they are concerned about the potential legal risks of home cultivation, even in states where it is legal. Still, 62% of consumers said they would rather grow their own cannabis than purchase it.
“This isn’t just about growing a plant—it’s about growing trust,” Ramsahai said. “Consumers are turning inward toward soil, seed, and self. Home cultivation is becoming a form of wellness that delivers so much more than a psychoactive effect. We’re proud to walk beside this new wave of growers, offering genetics that inspire confidence and the knowledge to make it all bloom.”
Royal Queen Seeds, one of the world’s largest cannabis seed banks, provides genetics for home growers around the globe. The findings from the latest poll suggest that consumer behavior is shifting, driven by safety concerns, financial pressures, and political developments under the Trump administration.
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