NYS Survey Finds More Medical Cannabis Patients Choosing Edibles over Vaping or Smoking

One of the best ways for lawmakers to determine whether a medical marijuana program is serving its purpose is by completing a survey of patients and providers who deal with navigating the complexities regularly. In this case, the report on the 2023 NYS Survey of medical cannabis patients and providers¹ was recently released, and their data gives some interesting insights into shifts in trends for those participating in the program, including a preference towards edibles over the usually preferred medication routes of smoking and vaping.

NYS Medical Cannabis Survey Gives Insight into Shifting Trends

While this survey looks only at participants of New York’s medical marijuana program, it does make you wonder if the same trends exist nationally. To collect the data represented in the report, two different surveys were sent out – one for registered medical cannabis cardholders and one for certified healthcare providers.

In total, there were 265 certified provider responses and 10,781 patient responses recorded with the aim of using this report to develop future resources, implement programs to support patients in nee,d and continue to improve the program’s overall efficiency.

The information collected from patients ranged from age, race, and income to consumption preferences, perceived benefits, perceptions of product costs, and dispensary availability, among many other fine details.

59% of Medical Marijuana Patients Use Edibles Compared to 49% Who Still Choose Whole Flower

One of the pieces of information that stood out to me as someone who has been following the development of medical programs around the country for nearly a decade was the fact that 59% of patients reported using edibles, compared to only 52% who say they choose vapes, and 49% who reported using whole flower a.k.a. smoking. This is interesting because, over the years, edibles have climbed in popularity, but smoking has always remained a preference over vaping or edibles for a majority of consumers in the past.

This study suggests that – at least for medical cannabis consumers – people could be trying to step away from smoking and vaping.

Over 50% of Medical Cannabis Patients in NY are Over 50 Years Old

Of course, another theory could be that the senior crowd – who make up over 50% of New York medical cannabis patients – may have stepped away from smoking because of other health risks, conditions, or complications.

In New York, people 50 and over make up a combined 57% of program participants – with seniors aged 60-60 making up the largest number at 23%.

New York’s Medical Cannabis Program Participation by Age Group:

• Under 18 – 0.15%
• 18-20 – 1%
• 21-29 – 6%
• 40-49 – 20%
• 50-59 – 20%
• 60-69 – 23%
• 70-79 – 12%
• Over 79 – 2%

Patients under 40 Still Prefer Smoking and Vaping

When looking at the breakdown of product preferences by age group, we can confirm that the 60+ age groups are far more likely to lean towards oral consumption or tinctures compared to topicals, whole flowers, ground flowers, or vape products.

However, for those under age 40, whole flower and vaping still remain just as if not more popular than edibles. The group that had the highest percentage preferring whole flower and vape products was those aged 18-20.

Topical Cannabis Products Are Used at the Same Pace Across Generations

Another interesting fact on patient preferences is that the use of topical products seems fairly consistent across all age groups. However, less than 20% of patients reported choosing topical products at all.

Other Interesting Facts the NYS Survey on Medical Cannabis Patients Found

The full report looks at the program from several different angles and asks different things of both patients and providers to get a robust look at where the program is working and where they can still improve. Unfortunately, we can’t take a deep dive into each of these stats and facts – but here are a few other important and noteworthy things that researchers discovered from this survey.

Data and Insights from the 2023 NYS Medical Cannabis Patient and Provider Survey

• NYS Providers include 61% physicians, 36% nurse practitioners, 2% physician’s assistants, and a surprising 1% are midwives.
• 68% of program participants have a household income over $50K annually.
• 51% prefer high THC products, 31% prefer a balance of THC and CBD, while 13% prefer low THC products.
• Chronic pain remains the most common qualifying condition for patients.
• 58% said cannabis was “very helpful” for pain, 50% reported he same for loss of appetite and 56% the same for insomnia.
• When asked about mental health, 46% said cannabis was “very helpful” for mood, 29% said responded “very helpful” in treating depression, and 48% reported it was “very helpful” for their anxiety.
• 76% of patients agreed they were able to reduce the use of prescription medications because of medical cannabis.
• 66% agreed that medical cannabis has helped reduce their need for and use of opioids to reduce pain.
• 10% of respondents who were previously registered but are no longer active on the states’ registry said that the distance to nearest dispensaries being too far to justify participation – and 14% were considering not renewing for the same reason.
• 51% of NY medical cannabis patients need to drive 30 minutes or more to get to a participating licensed dispensary.

Study Reference:

^{1. New York State Office of Cannabis Management. (2024). 2023 Medical Cannabis Survey Report. Retrieved from https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/06/2023-medical-cannabis-survey-report.pdf}