Between September 15 and October 1, 2026, Cannabis Insider Hub Research conducted six cannabis consumer studies across California, Nevada, and New Jersey.
Across the six studies, 2,450 survey submissions were reviewed and 2,264 qualifying responses were included in the published datasets. Consumers evaluated dispensaries they had personally visited using a consistent research framework covering seven experience measures.
All six studies are now published, with dedicated results and methodology pages explaining the sample, comparison set, scoring system, eligibility requirements, limitations, and study-specific findings.
This guide brings the complete 2026 Cannabis Insider Hub consumer research program together in one place.
The program2026 Cannabis Consumer Research at a Glance
The six studies covered:
- Santa Rosa and Sonoma County, California
- San Francisco, California
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Washington and Northwest New Jersey
- New Jersey's Somerset County area
- South Jersey and Camden County
Each study used its own geographic comparison set and sample thresholds. Scores should therefore be interpreted within each individual market rather than used to rank businesses from different studies against one another.
The Six 2026 Cannabis Consumer Surveys
| Market | Highest-Rated Business | Overall Experience | Business Evaluations | Qualifying Survey Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa, CA | The Sweet Spot 420 | 4.89/5.00 | 178 | 285 |
| San Francisco, CA | Bon Bon Cannabis Dispensary | 4.92/5.00 | 250 | 537 |
| Las Vegas, NV | The Cannabis Co. | 4.88/5.00 | 145 | 415 |
| Washington & Northwest NJ | Dank Poet | 4.88/5.00 | 142 | 315 |
| New Jersey — Somerset Area | Root 22 Dispensary | 4.90/5.00 | 180 | 400 |
| South Jersey — Camden County | Gynsyng | 4.80/5.00 | 142 | 312 |
“Highest-rated” refers to the highest average Overall Experience score among qualifying businesses within that individual study.
1. Santa Rosa Cannabis Consumer Survey
The 2026 Santa Rosa Cannabis Consumer Survey examined consumer experiences with dispensaries serving Santa Rosa and the surrounding Sonoma County market.
The study collected 304 submissions, of which 285 qualified for inclusion.
Highest-Rated Business: The Sweet Spot 420
Overall Experience · 178 qualifying evaluations
The Sweet Spot 420 received an average Overall Experience score of 4.89 out of 5.00, based on 178 qualifying evaluations.
SPARC Santa Rosa was the next-highest-rated business with an Overall Experience score of 4.52.
That created a difference of 0.37 points between the two published ratings.
The Sweet Spot 420 also received strong scores across Staff Knowledge & Helpfulness, Product Selection, Store Atmosphere, Value, Ease of Shopping, and Likelihood to Recommend.
The study's direct-preference question included 82 qualifying comparisons, with 82 of 82 respondents selecting The Sweet Spot 420.
2. San Francisco Cannabis Consumer Survey
The 2026 San Francisco Cannabis Consumer Survey examined consumer experiences across a predefined group of licensed dispensaries in San Francisco.
The study recorded 600 total submissions and 537 qualifying responses, making it the largest of the six published 2026 studies by qualifying sample size.
Highest-Rated Business: Bon Bon Cannabis Dispensary
Overall Experience · 250 qualifying evaluations
Bon Bon Cannabis Dispensary received an average Overall Experience rating of 4.92 out of 5.00, based on 250 qualifying evaluations.
SPARC was the next-highest business in the published comparison set at 4.50.
The difference between the two Overall Experience ratings was 0.42 points.
Bon Bon also received a 5.00 Staff Knowledge & Helpfulness score and a 4.98 Likelihood to Recommend score.
Among respondents included in the study's direct-comparison question, 35 of 35 selected Bon Bon Cannabis Dispensary.
3. Las Vegas Cannabis Consumer Survey
The 2026 Las Vegas Cannabis Consumer Survey examined consumer experiences across qualifying dispensaries in the Las Vegas market.
The completed study included 450 submissions and 415 qualifying responses.
Highest-Rated Business: The Cannabis Co.
Overall Experience · 145 qualifying evaluations
The Cannabis Co. received an average Overall Experience rating of 4.88 out of 5.00, based on 145 qualifying evaluations.
NuWu Cannabis Marketplace was the next-highest-rated business at 4.45, creating a 0.43-point difference in Overall Experience.
The Cannabis Co. also recorded a 4.95 Staff Knowledge & Helpfulness score, 4.90 Store Atmosphere score, 4.90 Ease of Shopping score, and 4.95 Likelihood to Recommend score.
In the study's direct-preference comparison, 60 of 60 qualifying respondents selected The Cannabis Co.
4. Washington & Northwest New Jersey Cannabis Consumer Survey
The 2026 Washington & Northwest New Jersey Cannabis Consumer Survey evaluated dispensary experiences across Washington and the surrounding Northwest New Jersey market.
The study received 342 submissions, with 315 qualifying responses included in the published dataset.
Highest-Rated Business: Dank Poet
Overall Experience · 142 qualifying evaluations
Dank Poet received an average Overall Experience rating of 4.88 out of 5.00, based on 142 qualifying evaluations.
Aura Dispensary was the next-highest-rated qualifying business with a score of 4.25.
The published ratings therefore show a 0.63-point difference in Overall Experience.
Dank Poet also received a 4.95 Staff Knowledge & Helpfulness score, 4.90 Store Atmosphere score, 4.90 Ease of Shopping score, and 4.95 Likelihood to Recommend score.
For the study's direct-preference question, 52 of 52 qualifying respondents selected Dank Poet.
5. New Jersey Cannabis Consumer Survey
The 2026 New Jersey Cannabis Consumer Survey examined consumer experiences with dispensaries in the Somerset County-area comparison market.
The study included 428 submissions and 400 qualifying responses.
Highest-Rated Business: Root 22 Dispensary
Overall Experience · 180 qualifying evaluations
Root 22 Dispensary in Somerville received an average Overall Experience rating of 4.90 out of 5.00, based on 180 qualifying evaluations.
Good Karma Dispensary was the next-highest-rated business with an Overall Experience score of 4.10.
The difference between the two published Overall Experience ratings was 0.80 points.
Root 22 also received 5.00 ratings for Staff Knowledge & Helpfulness, Store Atmosphere, Ease of Shopping, and Likelihood to Recommend.
The direct-preference portion of the study included 60 qualifying comparisons, with 60 of 60 respondents selecting Root 22 Dispensary.
6. South Jersey Cannabis Consumer Survey
The 2026 South Jersey Cannabis Consumer Survey examined dispensary experiences in the Camden County market and also included a separate comparison of qualifying cannabis consumption lounges in South Jersey.
The study collected 326 submissions, of which 312 qualified for analysis.
Highest-Rated Dispensary: Gynsyng
Overall Experience · 142 qualifying evaluations
Gynsyng in Merchantville received an average Overall Experience rating of 4.80 out of 5.00, based on 142 qualifying evaluations.
The Botanist received an Overall Experience rating of 4.00, creating a 0.80-point difference between the published scores.
Gynsyng also received a 5.00 Staff Knowledge & Helpfulness score.
In the direct-preference question, 50 of 50 qualifying respondents selected Gynsyng.
Consumption Lounge Results
The South Jersey study separately evaluated qualifying consumption lounges.
Gynsyng's consumption lounge received a 5.00 out of 5.00 rating based on 52 evaluations. High Rollers Lounge in Atlantic City received 4.10 based on 38 evaluations. Both exceeded the study's minimum requirement of 20 qualifying lounge evaluations.
What the 2026 Results Show Across Markets
The six studies were designed as individual local-market studies rather than one nationwide ranking.
Still, several descriptive patterns appear in the published results.
Overall Experience Scores Were Consistently High Among Market Leaders
The six highest-rated businesses recorded Overall Experience scores ranging from 4.80 to 4.92 out of 5.00.
Across the six market leaders, the average Overall Experience rating was approximately 4.88.
Staff Knowledge Was a Consistent Strength
Staff Knowledge & Helpfulness was one of the strongest measures among the highest-rated businesses.
This suggests that consumers participating in the studies placed substantial value on the quality of in-store guidance and staff interactions.
The Difference Between First and Second Varied by Market
The gap between the highest and next-highest Overall Experience ratings ranged from 0.37 points in Santa Rosa to 0.80 points in the New Jersey Somerset-area and South Jersey studies.
Gap between first and second, Overall Experience (points)
Bars are drawn on a 0 to 1.00 point scale.
These differences are descriptive. They should not automatically be interpreted as statistically significant unless a study specifically reports such a statistical test.
MethodologyHow the Cannabis Consumer Surveys Were Conducted
Although every study focused on a different market, the research program followed a common framework.
- Participant Eligibility
Respondents had to be 21 or older and confirm that they had personally visited a qualifying licensed adult-use dispensary within the relevant study area during the specified eligibility period. Consumers could only evaluate businesses they reported actually visiting.
- Comparison Sets Were Established Before Results
Each study defined its business comparison set before the results were evaluated. Businesses were not supposed to be added or removed simply because early responses or scores favored one company over another.
- One Primary Evaluation Per Respondent
When respondents reported visiting multiple businesses in the study’s comparison set, the research framework used random assignment for the detailed rating. This was designed to reduce the risk of respondents selecting only their favorite—or least favorite—business for the primary evaluation.
- Seven Consistent Experience Measures
Consumers rated dispensaries using a 1-to-5 scale across seven measures. Studies also included a direct-preference question for qualifying consumers who had experience with multiple businesses.
Minimum Sample Requirements
Sample thresholds were established for each study.
| Study | Qualifying Responses | Study Minimum | Per-Business Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa | 285 | 250 | 30 |
| San Francisco | 537 | 200 | 20 |
| Las Vegas | 415 | 400 | 30 |
| Washington & Northwest NJ | 315 | 300 | 30 |
| New Jersey — Somerset Area | 400 | 400 | 30 |
| South Jersey — Camden County | 312 | 300 | 30 |
The South Jersey study also required at least 20 qualifying evaluations per consumption lounge before a lounge could be included in the qualifying comparison.
ScoringHow Scores Were Calculated
Scores were calculated using arithmetic averages and reported to two decimal places.
Each result is presented alongside its corresponding n, showing how many qualifying evaluations contributed to that business's score.
The methodology also distinguishes between terms such as highest-rated and broader claims such as best.
A business having the highest average score on one measure does not automatically establish that it is universally the “best” dispensary.
IntegrityData Quality and Exclusions
Across all six studies:
- 2,450 total submissions were received
- 2,264 responses qualified for the published datasets
- 186 submissions were excluded or did not qualify
Responses were reviewed for issues such as incomplete questionnaires, duplicate submissions, and automated activity.
A negative rating alone was not a reason to remove a response.
Each individual methodology page provides additional information about the data-quality procedures, sample requirements, comparison set, disclosures, and limitations applying to that study.
LimitationsImportant Limitations of the Research
These studies are consumer surveys, not a census of every dispensary shopper in California, Nevada, or New Jersey.
Readers should keep several limitations in mind:
- Participation was voluntary.
- Dispensary visits were self-reported by respondents.
- Recruitment sources may affect who chooses to participate.
- Different respondents may have visited different combinations of businesses.
- Consumer experiences can vary based on visit date, staff interaction, products purchased, and individual expectations.
- The studies evaluate predetermined local comparison sets rather than every cannabis business operating in a state.
- Results describe the qualifying respondents and markets studied during the published field periods.
The findings should therefore be interpreted within the scope of each individual study.
How Consumers Can Use the Survey Results
The results can be useful when comparing local dispensary experiences, but the numbers are most useful when read in context.
Look at the Sample Size
A rating should always be considered alongside the number of qualifying evaluations supporting it.
Compare the Measures That Matter to You
Someone seeking knowledgeable staff may focus on Staff Knowledge & Helpfulness, while another shopper may care more about Product Selection, Value, or Ease of Shopping.
Compare Businesses Within the Same Study
The studies use different geographic markets, comparison sets, and sample structures. A 4.90 score in New Jersey should therefore not automatically be interpreted as better than a 4.88 score in Las Vegas.
Read the Methodology
Every survey has a dedicated methodology page explaining eligibility, geography, comparison set, recruitment, scoring, minimum sample sizes, exclusions, disclosures, and limitations.
Readers who want to understand how a result was produced should review the methodology alongside the results page.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
How many Cannabis Insider Hub consumer surveys were published in 2026?
Cannabis Insider Hub Research published six consumer studies covering Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Washington and Northwest New Jersey, the Somerset County-area New Jersey market, and South Jersey.
How many people qualified across the six studies?
Across the complete 2026 research program, 2,264 responses qualified from 2,450 total submissions.
What does “highest-rated” mean?
Highest-rated means a business received the highest qualifying average score for a specific published measure, such as Overall Experience, within that study's comparison set. It should not be interpreted as a universal ranking across every dispensary in a city, state, or the United States.
Are the survey results final and published?
Yes. All six studies covered in this roundup have published results pages and corresponding methodology pages. Readers can review the individual study pages to see the complete findings, sample sizes, scoring details, disclosures, and limitations.
Can scores from different markets be compared directly?
They can be viewed together for general context, but the studies were not designed to create a national ranking. The most meaningful comparisons are between businesses evaluated within the same study and market.
How were dispensaries scored?
Qualifying respondents rated their assigned business from 1 to 5 across seven measures: Overall Experience, Staff Knowledge & Helpfulness, Product Selection, Store Atmosphere, Value, Ease of Shopping, and Likelihood to Recommend.
Were businesses guaranteed a ranking or favorable result?
No. Under the published research framework, businesses were not guaranteed a ranking, award, or favorable result before data collection.
Explore All 2026 Cannabis Consumer Research
You can review every published survey and its complete methodology below:
For the complete research archive, visit Cannabis Insider Hub Research.
Final Takeaway
The 2026 Cannabis Insider Hub Research program brings together six published local cannabis consumer studies covering 2,264 qualifying responses across California, Nevada, and New Jersey.
Rather than relying on a single headline score, readers can review each market's complete results, sample sizes, individual experience measures, direct-preference findings, methodology, and limitations.
The goal is to make the findings easy to understand while giving readers enough information to evaluate how each result was produced.
As Cannabis Insider Hub publishes additional consumer research, the Cannabis Insider Hub Research section will serve as the central archive for published results and methodology.
