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Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Christopher Lombardo Christopher Lombardo New York, United States Last Updated: September 2024 NAICS OD6170

Revenue

$19.6bn

2024

$19.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

53,031

Businesses

7,794

Wages

$X.Xbn

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry analysis

Medical marijuana dispensaries have enjoyed massive revenue growth amid more favorable state-level legislation. At the time of writing, 38 states permit the medical use of cannabis products, with legislation constantly evolving. Not only have more states adopted favorable laws but states with existing legalized medical marijuana dispensaries have also expanded and reached more areas. In states where recreational marijuana sales are permitted, dispensaries face heightened competition, but some have circumvented this by becoming hybrid operations and serving both medical and recreational patients. These conditions have led to revenue spiking at a CAGR of 21.0% over the past five years; though growth is expected to slow in 2024, expanding just 3.4%, revenue will reach an estimated $19.6 billion.

Trends and Insights

  • Hybrid dispensaries combining medical and recreational sales thrive best. As recreational marijuana laws expand, hybrid dispensaries benefit by offering both medical and recreational products, maintaining patient loyalty and incentives.
  • Traditional flower marijuana products still lead, but alternatives are growing. Flower remains popular for its versatility and rapid effects, but trends show increased demand for products like edibles, vape cartridges and concentrates because of their discreet and convenient consumption methods.
  • Local restrictions can impact dispensary success even in friendly states. Municipalities in states like Oregon may impose additional bans or restrictions, deterring businesses despite overall state support for marijuana.
  • Recreational marijuana stores pose a significant threat to medical dispensaries. Many consumers prefer buying without a medical license, reducing the growth rate of customer bases focused solely on medical marijuana.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 21.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $19.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

With the majority of states permitting medical marijuana, sales boom

  • In recent years, state governments have become increasingly favorable toward medical marijuana, with an estimated 38 states allowing medical marijuana dispensaries as of 2023 (latest available data). Concurrently, the public's stance on using marijuana to treat medical conditions has become more favorable, enabling dispensaries to enjoy substantial revenue growth.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The industry continues to benefit from research into potential uses and favorable attitudes toward medical marijuana

  • The industry will be supported by having more credibility with consumers and the legalization of medical marijuana expanding to states more commonly than recreational legalization.

Biggest companies in the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Flower products, Vaporizer cartridges and Edible and ingestible products. Flower products is the largest segment of the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US.

Trends and Insights

Flower products still dominate but alternative consumption methods proliferate

  • Traditional medical marijuana flower products still hold a strong position. These products comprise dried cannabis buds that can be smoked or vaporized. They remain popular because of their familiar consumption method, ease of dosage control and rapid onset of effects.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry distribute marijuana to individuals with a prescription.

What's included in this industry?

Retail flower productsRetail vaporizer cartridgesRetail edible and ingestible productsRetail medical marijuana concentratesRetail medical marijuana accessories

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

DISPENSARYCANNABISEDIBLESINHALANTSTOPICALSTETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (THC)

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 44611 - Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Hybrid dispensaries combining medical and recreational sales thrive best. As recreational marijuana laws expand, hybrid dispensaries benefit by offering both medical and recr...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Traditional flower marijuana products still lead, but alternatives are growing. Flower remains popular for its versatility and rapid effects, but trends show increased demand...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Local restrictions can impact dispensary success even in friendly states. Municipalities in states like Oregon may impose additional bans or restrictions, deterring businesse...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Recreational marijuana stores pose a significant threat to medical dispensaries. Many consumers prefer buying without a medical license, reducing the growth rate of customer ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Marijuana's classification as a controlled substance prevents any single enterprise from capturing any significant share of the market. Due to licenscing limitations, the maj...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    An aging population is advantageous to medical marijuana dispensaries as it represents a signal toward increased incidents of chronic pain and illness that marijuana can treat...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Costs vary significantly across the industry since it includes a wide variety of states with differing regulations. For example, costs may differ in states where both medical...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in United States is $19.6bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 7,794 businesses in the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 19.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 21.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US in United States include?

    Retail flower products and Retail vaporizer cartridges are part of the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is high and increasing in the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the US industry in United States.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Vitamin & Supplement Manufacturing in the US
    • Pharmacies & Drug Stores in the US

    Complementors

    • Cigarette & Tobacco Products Wholesaling in the US

    International industries

    • Pharmacies & Drug Stores in Canada
    • Other Health Services in Australia
    • Other Health Services in New Zealand

    View all industries in United States

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    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

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