Following four months of softening sales trends, most of the markets that cannabis data analytics firm BDSA covers experienced stabilized in October. Tough comparisons from a year ago, when sales surged during the pandemic, had resulted in relatively weak annual growth in most markets, though some western states continue to experience moderating declines. Sequentially, October had one more day than September. Weak sales of flower compared to a year ago remained an underlying theme. In this review, we will look at the markets one-by-one, beginning with the more mature western markets and then concluding with the newer eastern markets.
Western Markets
BDSA provides coverage for Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and Oregon. In October, growth ranged from -12% in Nevada to 28% in Arizona compared to a year ago.
Arizona
Arizona transitioned to adult-use in late January, but this is the seventh month that BDSA has included adult-use sales. Total cannabis sales grew 28% to $114.0 million, with adult-use representing $57.1 million. Medical cannabis sales fell 36% from a year ago to $56.9 million. Sequentially, overall growth increased 5.0%, with medical rising 2% and adult-use growing 8%. Growth was strong across most categories, but the highest growth by far was in pre-rolls, which gained 178%. Flower increased 7% from a year ago.
California
Sales increased 0.9% sequentially to $295.7 million. Compared to a year ago, the rate of decline improved from -11.4% in September to -6.7%. Flower fell 19%, while concentrates, the second largest category, declined 5%. Pre-rolls expanded by 16%, and ingestibles grew by 6%.
Colorado
The annual decline improved from 13.9% in September to 10.6% in October as sales rose 0.5% sequentially to $180.1 million. Flower dropped 26% compared to a year ago, while ingestibles and concentrates both expanded by more than 1%. Pre-rolls gained 10%.
Nevada
Nevada continues to struggle as the pandemic lingers. Sales fell 12.4% to $72.4 million, down 0.9% from September. Flower fell 28%, while other categories, except pre-rolls (down 2%), showed gains. The strongest category was ingestibles, up 13% from a year ago.
Oregon
This was one of the stronger states in October, with four consecutive year-over-year declines shifting to a gain of 1.4% in October as sales advanced 5.7% sequentially to $99.9 million. Flower fell 12%, while concentrates rose 10%. Pre-rolls grew 22%, and ingestibles increased 15%.
Eastern Markets
In the newer markets, the annual rate of growth slowed in two of the three markets for which BDSA provides data. Note that BDSA has begun providing data for Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania as of January. Florida sales fell 6.4% sequentially to $149.1 million, while Pennsylvania rose 0.7% from September to $102.8 million. Michigan, which we previously detailed, saw overall sales increase 1.3% from September to $163.5 million, up 53% from a year ago. BDSA, which includes accessories, reported a lower level of sales for October at $151.4 million, down 0.2%.
Illinois
Illinois combined adult-use and medical sales rose 2.4% in October $146.0 million, up 34.7% compared to a year ago. Flower grew 22%, while other categories grew 36-60%.
Maryland
This market continued to slow, with annual growth declining from 6.7% in September to 3.6% as sales rose sequentially by 3.4% to $44.3 million. Flower fell 2%, while pre-rolls expanded 4%, concentrates grew 7%, and ingestibles increased 18%.
Massachusetts
The 41% growth in October was up from 40% in September as sales grew 3.3% sequentially to $147.7 million. Flower grew 20%, while other categories grew 43% to 823%.
For readers interested in a deeper look at cannabis markets across these eight states and more, including segmentation by additional product categories, brand and item detail, longer history, and segmentation by product attributes, learn how BDSA Solutions can provide you with unlimited access to the most accurate and actionable data and analysis.
