How Much Cannabis Does America Really Grow And How It Compares To Other Big Crops: Answer Might Surprise You

Leafly Holdings, Inc. LFLY annual Cannabis Harvest Report reveals that in some states, cannabis is consistently one of the highest-value crops in the field, though the federal government and some state and local governments do not track weed harvest amounts, ignoring the value of this obviously valuable crop.

Over a period of three months, Leafly’s investigative team performed a synthesis of licensing reports with crop production totals as well as sales and tax figures from the 15 states with operating cannabis markets.

USDA Doesn't View Cannabis Farmers As Farmers, But Maybe Not For Long

The report outlines the barriers America’s cannabis farmers have faced over the years due to federal prohibition. However, this could soon change following recent news that the Department of Health and Human Services is recommending that marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act. 

Meanwhile, all these years farmers, like the rest of the cannabis industry, have sorely lacked access to basic banking services and crop insurance. They also report trouble obtaining personal mortgages and car loans.

"Simply put, local and federal governments do not treat cannabis farmers like farmers. There is systematic discrimination at the local, state, and federal levels. Adult-use cannabis is a top cash crop in states where it’s legal, but that song goes unsung," said David Downs, the report’s lead author and Leafly’s California bureau chief. "There is no federal cannabis policy other than prohibition and our reporting shows that each day’s delay punishes the smallest farmers the most. The American cannabis industry is fragmented but publishing otherwise unreported data can help illuminate pathways to an ideal industry." 

Key findings from the 2022 Leafly Cannabis Harvest Report:

• In 2022, adult-use cannabis farmers in the U.S. have legally grown approximately 2,834 metric tons of cannabis. For comparison, that amount is enough to fill 36 miles of dump trucks parked end to end.
• Adult-use cannabis now supports more than 13,297 American farms, in 15 legal states with legal adult-use and medical cannabis markets
• Cannabis prices are the highest in Alaska, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada
• Marijuana is the No. 1 cash crop in Alaska, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, but regulators do not publish production totals in two of those states.

No doubt we'll be discussing these revealing facts and more at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on September 27 and 28. Carlos Pinto, Leafly's chief commercial officer will be there in case you're interested in knowing more about this fascinating report. All information is available on bzcannabis.com 

Cannabis farm photo by Richard T on Unsplash