--- title: Cannabis Industry Statistics and Facts description: Explore the latest cannabis industry statistics such as cannabis payroll facts, market trends, demographic insights, sales data, and industry shifts. image: https://www.evolvehcm.com/hubfs/Graphic%20Design,%20Logos,%20Assets/Stock/AdobeStock_234658812.jpeg --- **Menu** ** [ Contact Us ](https://www.evolvehcm.com/contact) [ Request Demo ](https://www.evolvehcm.com/demo-request) # Cannabis Industry Statistics - August 15, 2024 Gain insight into the cannabis industry and cannabis payroll and HR statistics. ### Cannabis Payroll and HR Statistics - On average, cannabis companies paid over $1.8 billion more in federal taxes compared to non-cannabis companies. *([Greenburg Glusker](https://www.greenbergglusker.com/the-grass-is-always-greenberg/cannabis-reclassification-timeline-and-impact#:~:text=One%20industry%20research%20firm%20estimates,to%20state%2Dlicensed%20cannabis%20businesses.))* - Between 2020 and 2030, the cannabis industry will pay approximately $65.3 billion in taxes. ([MJ Biz Daily](https://mjbizdaily.com/marijuana-industry-overpaid-1-8-billion-in-federal-taxes-in-2022-analysis-shows/#:~:text=Between%202020%20and%202030%2C%20U.S.,company%27s%20chief%20economist%2C%20Beau%20Whitney.)) - For jobs in the cannabis industry, salaries increased by 4.7% beating the national average of non-cannabis businesses of 4.1%. ([Benzinga](https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39653122/u-s-jobs-surge-in-june-can-cannabis-keep-up-salaries-might-tempt-you-to-switch-careers)) - In 2021, there was an average of 280 cannabis jobs created every day in the United States. ([Leafly](https://leafly-cms-production.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/18122113/Leafly-JobsReport-2022-12.pdf)) - Learn more about [Filling Cannabis Job Openings](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/filling-cannabis-job-openings) by checking out [this post](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/filling-cannabis-job-openings). - 86% of cannabis companies anticipated hiring new employees in 2024. ([Cannabis Business Times](https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/best-cannabis-companies-to-work-for-2025-entries-open-expanded-all-businesses/#:~:text=And%20it%27s%20about%20to%20become,2024%20%E2%80%9CCannabis%20Salary%20Guide.%E2%80%9D)) - Two-thirds of [retail cannabis companies](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-industries/cannabis-dispensaries) are planning on hiring five or more employees in 2024. ([Cannabis Business Times](https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/vangst-cannabis-survey-hiring-guide-salary-trend-2024/#:~:text=Nearly%2090%25%20of%20surveyed%20companies,every%20month%2C%20showcasing%20abundant%20opportunities.)) - Learn more about [hiring cannabis employees](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/filling-cannabis-job-openings) - Driven by growth opportunities in Michigan, Missouri, and Illinois, there was a 5.4% growth in cannabis jobs between 2023 and 2024. ([flowhub](https://flowhub.com/cannabis-industry-statistics#:~:text=That%20number%20represents%20a%205.4,%2C%20New%20Jersey%2C%20and%20Connecticut.)) - The legal cannabis industry represents 440,445 [full-time equivalents](https://www.indeed.com/hire/c/info/full-time-equivalent). ([Ganjapreneur](https://www.ganjapreneur.com/report-cannabis-industry-currently-supports-440000-full-time-jobs/)) - An estimated two-thirds of cannabis businesses operate as cash-only businesses, making them open to compliance risks from agencies such as the IRS, DHS, OSHA, and USDA, as well as state-based cannabis regulatory agencies. Cannabis businesses should consider utilizing a specialized [cannabis payroll solution](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-software/cannabis-payroll-software) to help ensure payroll and tax compliance while reducing regulatory risk. ([Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/irisdorbian/2023/09/22/us-treasury-reports-more-banks-admit-relationships-with-cannabis-businesses/))    ### Cannabis Market Research and Business Statistics - Cannabis dispensaries that accepted debit payments handled 59% more transactions than those that only accepted cash, with each debit card transaction averaging $13 more than cash-only transactions. ([flowhub](https://flowhub.com/cannabis-industry-statistics#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20dispensaries%20offering%20debit%20payments%20processed%2059%25%20more%20transactions%20compared%20to%20cash%20only%20dispensaries%20and%20transactions%20paid%20with%20a%20debit%20card%20were%20%2413%20higher%20than%20cash%20only%20transactions.)) - *See this breakdown on [how dispensaries pay their employees](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/how-do-dispensaries-pay-their-employees) to learn more* - Projected retail sales for cannabis are expected to reach $56.9 billion USD in 2028. ([MJ Biz Daily](https://mjbizdaily.com/us-cannabis-sales-estimates/)) - In nine states, cannabis sales generate higher tax revenue than alcohol. ([flowhub](https://flowhub.com/cannabis-industry-statistics#:~:text=are%20being%20sold.-,Cannabis%20earns%20higher%20tax%20revenue%20than%20alcohol,revenue%20than%20alcohol%E2%80%94and%20that%20number%20is%20only%20expected%20to%20rise.,-Cannabis%20prices%20are)) - In 2023, online cannabis sales grew by 80%. ([alpharoot)](https://alpharoot.com/cannabis-stats-2024/#:~:text=Online%20cannabis%20sales%20grew%20by,the%20expansion%20of%20delivery%20services.) - In the United States, there are roughly 15,000 cannabis dispensaries. ([Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/29/most-americans-now-live-in-a-legal-marijuana-state-and-most-have-at-least-one-dispensary-in-their-county/#:~:text=79%25%20of%20Americans%20live%20in,like%20Michigan%2C%20Oklahoma%20and%20Colorado.)) - In the United States, there are more than 300 publicly traded cannabis companies. ([alpharoot](https://alpharoot.com/cannabis-stats-2024/#:~:text=As%20of%20March%202023%2C%20there%20are%20over%20300%20publicly%20traded%20cannabis%20companies%20in%20the%20US.%20New%20Cannabis%20Ventures)) ### Cannabis Legalization Statistics - In the United States, recreational use of marijuana is legal in 24 states and Washington D.C. ([NCSL](https://www.ncsl.org/health/state-medical-cannabis-laws#:~:text=As%20of%20November%208%2C%202023,medical%20adult%20(recreational)%20use.)) - California became the first state to legalize medical use of marijuana in 1996. ([Department of Cannabis Control](https://cannabis.ca.gov/cannabis-laws/laws-and-regulations/#:~:text=California%20became%20the%20first%20state%20to%20allow%20medicinal%20cannabis%20use%20when%20voters%20passed%20the%20Compassionate%20Use%20Act%20in%201996.)) - In 2012, Colorado and Washington State became the first two states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. ([Marijuana Policy Project](https://www.mpp.org/issues/legalization/colorado-and-washington-life-after-legalization-and-regulation/#:~:text=In%202012%2C%20Colorado%20and%20Washington,half%20of%20the%20U.S.%20population.)) - Oklahoma leads the United States in the number of marijuana dispensaries per capita, with 36 dispensaries for every 100,000 residents. ([Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/29/most-americans-now-live-in-a-legal-marijuana-state-and-most-have-at-least-one-dispensary-in-their-county/#:~:text=Oklahoma%20has%20the%20most%20marijuana%20dispensaries%20per%20capita%20of%20any%20state%3A%2036%20dispensaries%20for%20every%20100%2C000%20residents.)) - California boasts the highest number of dispensaries in the country, with 3,659 locations, more than twice as many as the state with the second-most. ([Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/29/most-americans-now-live-in-a-legal-marijuana-state-and-most-have-at-least-one-dispensary-in-their-county/#:~:text=Oklahoma%20has%20the%20most%20marijuana%20dispensaries%20per%20capita%20of%20any%20state%3A%2036%20dispensaries%20for%20every%20100%2C000%20residents.&text=California%20has%20far%20more%20dispensaries,a%20dispensary%20in%20their%20county.)) - 74% of Americans live in a state where medical or recreational cannabis use is legal and 54% of Americans live in a state where recreational use of cannabis is legal. ([Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2024/03/05/74-of-americans-live-in-a-legal-marijuana-state-research-finds/)) See this breakdown on [Marijuana Legalization by State](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/marijuana-legalization-by-state) to get a full picture of legalization in the U.S. ### Cannabis Consumption Statistics - 45% of Americans have used marijuana at least once in their lifetime. ([Gallup](https://news.gallup.com/poll/214250/say-tried-marijuana.aspx#:~:text=JULY%2019%2C%202017-,In%20U.S.%2C%2045%25%20Say%20They%20Have%20Tried%20Marijuana,-BY%20ART%20SWIFT)) - Over three-quarters of Americans live in a county in which there is a marijuana dispensary. ([flowhub](https://flowhub.com/cannabis-industry-statistics#:~:text=79%25%20of%20Americans%20live%20in%20a%20county%20with%20at%20least%20one%20dispensary.)) - The average American (cannabis consumer) spends $645 a year on cannabis products. ([Headset](https://www.headset.io/industry-reports/what-does-the-average-cannabis-consumer-look-like#:~:text=The%20median%20customer%20spends%20%24645%20on%20pot%20each%20year%2C%20and%20over%2057%25%20of%20customers%20spent%20more%20than%20%24500.%20Very%20few%20customers%E2%80%94less%20than%2010%25%E2%80%94spent%20over%20%242%2C500.)) - Millennials are currently the largest group of marijuana users while Gen Z is the fastest growing group of marijuana users. ([flowhub](https://flowhub.com/cannabis-industry-statistics#:~:text=Headset%E2%80%99s%20Demographics%20Report%20notes%20the%20millennial%20age%20group%20is%20the%20largest%20demographic%20of%20cannabis%20consumers%2C%20capturing%2046.2%25%20of%20every%20dollar%20spent%20on%20weed.)) - Gen Z and Millennials collectively account for 62.8% of all cannabis sales in the US, as well as 70.8% of all vapor pen sales. ([Marijuana Venture](https://www.marijuanaventure.com/gen-z-and-millennials-lead-in-vape-pen-usage/#:~:text=Together%20Gen%20Z%20and%20millennials%20make%20up%2062.8%25%20of%20all%20cannabis%20sales%20and%2070.8%25%20of%20all%20vape%20pen%20sales%2C%20according%20to%20the%20report.))  ### [![Cannabis Payroll Questions](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6757971/ea65cc20-f3e0-4217-86c7-357aa4e3b330.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6757971/ea65cc20-f3e0-4217-86c7-357aa4e3b330) ### Continue Reading More Check out some of these other posts to learn more about cannabis payroll and HR:  - [Reasons to Switch Cannabis Payroll Companies](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/reasons-to-switch-cannabis-payroll-companies) - [How to Choose the Best Cannabis HR Software](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/how-to-choose-the-best-cannabis-hr-software) - [Common Cannabis Payroll Questions](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/cannabis-payroll-faq)   [Cannabis Compliance](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/tag/cannabis-compliance), [Cannabis Payroll](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/tag/cannabis-payroll), [Cannabis Industry](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/tag/cannabis-industry) - [Recent](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/cannabis-industry-statistics#tab1) - [Popular](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/cannabis-industry-statistics#tab2) - [Topics](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/cannabis-industry-statistics#tab3) [ Tips for Cash Businesses ](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/tips-for-cash-businesses) [ 280E Tax Code: The Key to Cannabis Compliance ](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/280e-tax-code) [ How Do Dispensaries Pay Their Employees?​ ](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/how-do-dispensaries-pay-their-employees) [Cannabis Compliance](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/tag/cannabis-compliance) [Cannabis Payroll](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/tag/cannabis-payroll) [Cannabis Industry](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/tag/cannabis-industry) [View all Insights](https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/all) [![Cannabis HCM Solution Demo Video](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6757971/46e5572c-6fcb-464d-9fac-bf915805eec0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6757971/46e5572c-6fcb-464d-9fac-bf915805eec0) ### [![White Vector Logo](https://www.evolvehcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Graphic%20Design,%20Logos,%20Assets/Logos/Evolve%20Logos/White%20Vector%20Logo.png?width=175&name=White%20Vector%20Logo.png)](https://www.evolvehcm.com) Based in Denver, Colorado #### Company #### Solutions ### Get in Touch ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Evolve HCM", "url" : "https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/author/evolve-hcm" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-10T15:25:29.197Z", "datePublished" : "2024-08-15T19:43:41.000Z", "headline" : "Cannabis Industry Statistics and Facts", "image" : [ "https://www.evolvehcm.com/hubfs/Graphic%20Design,%20Logos,%20Assets/Stock/AdobeStock_234658812.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.evolvehcm.com/cannabis-insights/cannabis-industry-statistics", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.evolvehcm.com/hubfs/Mosaic%20-%20Logo%20(Temp).png" }, "name" : "Evolve HCM / Mosaic HCM" } } ```