US: Survey finds that 54% of Americans believe most store-bought cannabis contains pesticides

As the U.S. navigates a post-election year, a new national survey reveals shifting social views of cannabis, including rising safety concerns about regulated products, increasing support of growing cannabis at home as well as Americans' desire to consume more cannabis to cope with the new presidential administration.

The 2025 survey of Americans 21 and older, conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Royal Queen Seeds (RQS), one of the world's largest cannabis seed banks, found that 54% of Americans believe most store-bought cannabis contains pesticides. Similarly, among cannabis consumers, 62% say they are concerned about not knowing exactly what is in the cannabis products they consume.

With increasing news coverage of contaminated cannabis, product recalls and inconsistent testing in states such as California, Michigan and New Jersey, it is influencing consumer behavior. Nearly one in three cannabis consumers who have seen cannabis-related news (32%) say it made them more likely to want to grow cannabis at home instead of buying it.

"We're seeing a groundswell of support for home cultivation across demographics, driven not just by cost, but by trust," said Shai Ramsahai, President of Royal Queen Seeds. "People want to know what they're putting in their bodies. For many, growing cannabis is about wellness, empowerment and transparency. Royal Queen Seeds is proud to support them on that journey with best-in-class genetics, F1 hybrids and educational resources."

The poll also asked Americans about their personal cannabis use; half of cannabis consumers (50%) say the new presidential administration will lead them to consume more cannabis than they did before, including 59% of young female cannabis consumers (ages 21–34).

The case for home growing
With news headlines like "Even where weed is legal, product safety isn't guaranteed," it is no surprise that the survey shows growing support among Americans for home cannabis cultivation, with 64% agreeing that all Americans should have the right to legally grow cannabis at home—up from 59% in 2024. The poll shows increased interest in growing at home among cannabis consumers, even as fears of legal risks remain.

The trend of growing cannabis at home has seen a noticeable increase, with 15% of people currently cultivating their own plants, up from 11% in 2024. A significant majority, 76%, believe that growing cannabis at home is more cost-effective than purchasing it from dispensaries. Despite the financial appeal, there are concerns about the legal implications, as 58% express apprehension about the potential legal risks associated with home cultivation, even in areas where it is legal. Moreover, 62% of individuals express a preference for growing their own cannabis rather than buying it, indicating a strong inclination towards self-sufficiency in this regard.

Among those who have successfully grown cannabis at home, nearly half (46%) do so for the enjoyment it brings, with an equal percentage expressing a general interest in growing other plants. Additionally, 40% of these growers cite cost savings as a motivating factor, while 38% feel that consuming home-grown cannabis is safer than using store-bought products. Furthermore, 41% of successful home growers enjoy cultivating other plants, and 28% extend their green thumb to growing their own food, showcasing a broader interest in home gardening beyond cannabis.

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Royal Queen Seeds from March 13-17, 2025, among 2,011 adults ages 21 and older; 782 self-identified as cannabis consumers (i.e., ever consume cannabis). The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.