In a recent survey conducted by CivicScience, a fascinating divide emerged between cannabis users who prefer edibles and those who opt for traditional smoking methods. The survey, which ran from January 1 to April 17, 2025, gathered responses from 3,229 users across the United States, revealing intriguing insights into the demographics and preferences of cannabis consumers.
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Edibles, consumed by 9.5% of respondents, and traditional smoking methods, favored by 11.6%, represent two distinct approaches to cannabis use. The data highlights notable differences in age, education, income, and living environments between these groups.
Age plays a significant role in the choice of cannabis consumption method. Edibles are particularly popular among the 35-44 age group, with 19% of users in this bracket, while traditional smoking methods see an even distribution across age groups, with both the 18-24 and 35-44 age groups at 17%. This suggests that older users might prefer the discreet and convenient nature of edibles, while younger users are more open to traditional smoking.
Parental status also influences cannabis consumption choices. Among those who prefer edibles, 36% are parents, and 21% are grandparents. In contrast, 40% of traditional smoking method users are parents. This data indicates that parents might lean towards edibles, possibly due to their less conspicuous nature compared to smoking.
Income levels further differentiate these groups. Edibles users are more likely to fall within the $30,000-$49,999 income range, at 24%, whereas traditional smoking method users have a higher percentage, 29%, in the $0-$29,999 range.
Urbanicity reveals another layer of distinction. A significant 48% of edibles users reside in suburban areas, compared to 32% of traditional smoking method users who live in cities. This could reflect lifestyle preferences, with suburban residents possibly favoring the convenience and discretion of edibles.
Gender distribution shows a slight male preference for both methods, with 51% of edible users and 52% of traditional smoking method users being male. This balance suggests that gender does not significantly influence the choice between these two methods.
Education levels present a clear divide. Among edible users, 20% hold a bachelor’s degree, and 18% have a graduate degree, indicating a higher educational attainment compared to traditional smoking method users, 40% of whom have only a high school diploma or GED.
These findings paint a vivid picture of the diverse landscape of cannabis consumption in the United States. The choice between edibles and traditional smoking methods is influenced by a complex interplay of age, parental status, income, urbanicity, gender, and education. As cannabis continues to gain acceptance, understanding these nuances becomes increasingly important for businesses and policymakers alike.
This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights. Our AI content creation tool, DataScribe, supported the article.
