A new study released by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority is shedding light on issues with the state's medical cannabis program.
The 78-page report, which was conducted by Cannabis Public Policy Consulting (CPPC) for the Authority, found that the price of medical cannabis in Virginia is significantly higher than in other states. Because of that, researchers found that nearly 90% of patients buy their products from sources outside the Virginia medical cannabis market.
To complete the study, CPPC researchers surveyed 1,827 people as a sample of the state's general population, including 476 people who were certified medical cannabis patients. Among other criteria, they all had to live in Virginia and have used cannabis in the past year.
At least 12% of patients surveyed said they had traveled to get cannabis from other states or jurisdictions, most notably Washington, D.C., and Maryland, where prices are much lower.
The study also found that around 57% of medical cannabis patients in Virginia got cannabis by growing it at home, and 65.2% of patients got it from a friend or family member. Researchers believe that is hurting the demand for licensed producers of medical cannabis in the state.
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