A total of 23 individuals were included. Among the participants, about a third were female, a range of ages was represented, and both rural and urban communities were represented (Table 1). With respect to cannabis use history, most participants were relatively frequent purchasers, with 74% making one or more purchases a month, and 100% were consumers prior to legalization. However, some indicated they only started consuming cannabis once it was announced that legalization was coming, and they considered themselves newer users. In addition, 87% lived in an area with access to an in-person licenced cannabis retailer. While the most common cannabis product used was dried flower (91%), many participants indicated they purchased and consumed more than one product type, including edibles (61%), oils (40%), vaping liquid (17%), beverages (26%), and others (9%).
Table 1. Participant Characteristics
Variable (n = 23)
|
n (%)
|
Gender
Male
Female
Other
|
16 (69.6)
7 (30.4)
0 (0)
|
Age
18–29
30–39
40–49
50–59
60 +
|
7 (30.4)
6 (26.1)
8 (34.8)
1 (4.3)
1 (4.3)
|
Area of residence
Urban area with 50,000 or more residents
Rural area with less than 50,000 residents
|
19 (82.6)
4 (17.4)
|
Highest level of education completed
High school diploma
Some post-secondary
Trade/technical/vocational training completed
University degree
|
2 (8.7)
4 (17.4)
4 (17.4)
13 (56.5)
|
Employment status
Full-time student
Unemployed
Employed full time
Self-employed
No answer
|
2 (8.7)
3 (13.0)
15 (65.2)
2 (8.7)
1 (4.3)
|
Household income
Less than $25,000
$25,000 – $49,999
$50,000 – $74,999
$75,000 – $99,999
$100,000 or more
|
4 (17.4)
6 (26.1)
3 (13.0)
3 (13.0)
7 (30.4)
|
Analysis of the transcripts resulted in categorizing the participants’ drivers of purchase decisions into five broad themes: 1) price, 2) quality, 3) packaging, 4) social influences, and 5) retailer characteristics (Fig. 1).
Price
Price was the most commonly discussed concern, as participants frequently spoke of lower prices in the illegal market, the significance of the lower prices for different types of use, and the offering of incentives, loyalties, and discounts in the illegal market.
While there was some variability in the degree of the price differences, most participants noted that legally sourced cannabis was more expensive: “I do feel like going into the stores sometimes it’s so expensive”. Several people noted that a standard price for a gram of cannabis had been fairly consistent for many years, and once cannabis was legalized the prices of unregulated products dropped. As one participant noted: “As long as you lower the price, the black market is gonna lower, and you’re just gonna get more money and bang for your dollar, and you have more choice.” It was also mentioned that prices have gone as low as $3–4 per gram, but the quality of the product was questionable: “I’ve seen some ridiculously good deals where it’s like, you know, four dollars a gram, three dollars a gram. What’s the quality of it? I don’t know.” It was described that prices varied slightly by quality, potency, and geographic location. It was also discussed that unlicensed sellers could deliver the product, which was convenient for those who did not have transportation.
This price difference mattered the most to experienced and/or frequent users. Experienced users described that they were already comfortable with purchasing through unlicensed retailers and knew how to source a product they like and feel safe using. Those who frequently used cannabis for either medical or non-medical purposes reported that purchasing through legal stores was unsustainable due to high costs, stating, “the reason that I stopped purchasing medical marijuana [is] because … I’d go bankrupt”. In comparison, those who were new or less frequent consumers tended not to be as concerned about the price.
Several participants who were medical users commented that the legalization of non-medical cannabis pushed them to purchase through the unlicensed retailers. While prices between the licensed medical retailers and the unlicensed market were comparable pre-legalization, the price difference post-legalization made it less appealing to continue purchasing from legal sources. As one participant said, “I was prescribed five grams per day. I would literally have to be homeless to be able to afford to purchase that from a medicinal source”. It was also a concern that cannabis was not covered by any health insurance plans: “I have a really good health care plan from my employer, and it’s still not covered through that”. While some participants had a valid medical reason for using marijuana, they could not get any financial support because of their income level. As explained by one participant:
Some of the licensed producers for the medical market do offer things like compassionate pricing and stuff, which can bring them below the recreational market. But that also applies to people who make like less than $25,000 a year.
Participants also noted that unlicensed retailers offer better sales, loyalty programs and bulk purchase incentives. Customers can get special deals around holidays or even daily or weekly flash deals that promote specific products. As noted by one participant: “local places that sell online, businesses that sell in the black market, they all have sales for events like Canada Day sales…They will throw in free stuff.” Many online retailers have point systems that can be used towards discounted or free products or free shipping: “you get this many points and you get percentages off of future orders and stuff like that.”
Unlicensed online retailers may offer free gifts with a purchase, such as “a free gram with your first purchase”. Purchasing in bulk also allowed for substantial cost savings, which was felt to be worth the large purchase despite potential delays in shipping:
a lot of sites, when you get over a certain amount, will give you free shipping and express it. So even with the shipping to Newfoundland being a little delayed, it’s maybe still two to three days to get it, and for the price savings, totally worth it.
Some noted that it was not really possible to purchase in bulk at a licensed store because of the limit of 30 grams in a single transaction. Some noted that while legal stores offered some specials, they were still not comparable to the discounts offered from the unlicensed retailers.
Quality
Defining Quality
A shared understanding of cannabis quality did not exist among the participants. While not mutually exclusive, the participants’ perception of quality was broken down into three main categories regarding the product: 1) meeting federal regulation standards, 2) safe and effective, and 3) cultivated to cater to the user’s experience.
Generally, those people who defined quality as meeting federal regulation standards were individuals who were less experienced with consuming cannabis. They were either new users, returning users since legalization, or infrequent users. They focused on issues such as the accuracy of labels and reducing the risk of contamination from bugs, mites, mold, and other street drugs. These consumers preferred to purchase from licensed retailers to get a quality product.
I know if buy a product from [licensed retailer], I know I’m getting good quality. I know it’s regulated. I know if the bottle says they’re in cans of two milligrams, I’m getting two milligrams.
Some participants referred to product effectiveness and safety when considering quality. People wanted to know that the product was going to give them a desired effect (e.g., a high, relaxed feeling, better sleep). As one participant said: “cannabis is a bit more of a means to an end for me. So, quality for me is: Did it get me high, [and] how high did it get me?”
Participants also wanted to know they would not experience unwanted effects. “Sativa definitely causes more anxiety…. Indica, I find are more of a sedating effect which has a better effect with anxiety.”
Some participants noted that certain varieties caused them to feel anxious or sick. These participants talked a lot about trust in their retailer and knowing what was in the product they were purchasing. To get safe products, some consumers bought from licensed retailers, while others felt they could get safe and effective products from unlicensed retailers. From a safety perspective, participants who bought cannabis products from unlicensed markets expressed concern about the potential for pesticide use, improper cultivation, and/or the potential for mold and contamination with unwanted additives.
But one of the concerns I do have with the black market is that as there’s no regulations. One of the things that spooks me a bit is the fact that I don’t know what, if any, pesticides, insecticides are being used. And I know a huge issue in the black market is when there are mites and bugs that get into the crops, they defecate on the product. And that, of course, is something that you could be inhaling. And I know that the government regulations at least are supposed to help prevent that.
Finally, more frequent consumer’s defined quality based on characteristics that influenced their experience with the product, such as how it was cured and how it looked, smelled, tasted and felt when inhaled. Participants remarked that the curing process greatly influenced the quality, bringing out certain desired flavors while destroying unwanted chemicals and flavors. Participants said that improperly cured cannabis can lead to mold growth if the conditions are too humid. Conversely, improper curing may also leave the cannabis unappealingly dry.
Visually, participants assessed the product moisture content (avoiding anything too dry and brittle), the bud size (smaller and lower-quality buds tend to come from lower on the plant), and the ratio of flower to stems (with a preference for fewer stems). Some also mentioned the trichomes and looking for certain colours that indicated ripeness.
With respect to the smell, taste and feel of the inhaled smoke, participants mentioned that the variety of terpenes in different plant strains could influence the user experience and choice, but there was no specific flavour profile that indicated a higher- or lower-quality product. Most participants described that they did not enjoy a “harsh” feel when they inhaled cannabis; however, there were some who preferred this experience, highlighting different consumer preferences.
I look at the trichomes and the trichomes of cannabis; it’s almost like a little bulb, like a little mushroom that grows on top of the calyx or leaf. And that’s what fills up like the cloudy or the amber tone, which gives you your high. So I’d like to know if it’s ripe or not ripe. So when it’s clear, it’s not ripe. I want to make sure the quality I’m getting [that it] has been cured and ripened properly. And by having it that way, it allows me to have a smooth smoke and quality that’s going to last a while versus something that’s gonna be airy, not tight, very loose.
Quality by Source
Products available from licensed retailers were widely considered to be of lower quality, with very dry leaves, small buds and more stems. It seemed, though, that the products of licenced retailers may be improving. It was noted that many products now contain two-way humidity control packets to keep the product from getting too dry. Some noted, however, that this did not always correct the problem. If the cannabis was not cured properly to begin with, then adding moisture back in did not improve the quality.
People with experience using unlicensed online vendors indicated that the products were of superior quality compared to licensed stores. However, those who ordered cannabis from websites tended to be more experienced users who were comfortable with finding information about the products and placed significant trust in the websites’ product reviews. Participants noted that some online products were not always what they seemed; for example, as one participant said:
There are people online who sell what is called ‘washed weed’... It’s a thing where people use it to make things like extracts, but the flower is still intact, but most of the most of the psychoactive effects have been removed from it by a chemical process. So, that’s a thing that happens online that you’ve got to be aware of. You can buy weed online that looks great and smells great but actually doesn’t have any effect at all.
Therefore, online shoppers were highly selective of the sources they purchase from. Some participants also highlighted that unlicensed online retailers use an AAAA quality grading system, with AAAA or “quads” being the highest quality, enabling consumers to select any quality grade they like. This grading system does not seem to be used in the licensed market, and participants suggested that the highest-quality cannabis could not be sold in licensed stores because production regulations prevented products of that quality from being produced.
There appeared to be a wide variability in the quality of products purchased from friends or unlicensed community dealers. This variability may stem from the originating source. Participants reported that unlicensed community retailers could get their supply from either growing it themselves, from licensed retailers (and sell it with a mark-up in their community), or from larger unlicensed cultivator/retailers. Therefore, depending on the place of residence and familiarity with cannabis sellers, one could receive products with very different levels of quality.
For those that defined quality based on safety, they agreed that licensed cannabis products were safe, but so were some unlicensed sources. However, it was noted that while there was a lot a variability in the safety of products available from the unlicensed retailers, there were trustworthy sources that offer high-quality, safe products. Participants indicated that reading online reviews was helpful for sourcing trustworthy products. “[I] talk to people who I know who have ordered from sites. Never just go in blind and order somewhere.”
Packaging
Participants were generally indifferent to branding and warning labels, but they were strongly opposed to the excessive packaging that comes with licensed cannabis products. Some commented that the warnings and product information (on the potency, strain, etc.) were important and they wanted to see them. As one person said, “I prefer to have labels like full labels, I prefer to have full warning signs, and I definitely want to know where it came from… so I can guarantee myself and my friends have a safe [experience].” While others were indifferent to label characteristics, no one was opposed to the labelling.
Most people who purchased through legal sources commented on the packaging and how it was excessive. As one participant indicated: “The pre-rolls yea, like you got a box and then you got a tube, and you got the plastic around that tube, and you got to pop that to open.” They were aware that packages had to be child-safe but felt there could be a better way. Some adults even struggled to get through all the packaging. Some also indicated that “certain retailers offer a recycling program, which people were pleased with, but it is suspected that most containers do not get recycled.”
Some people felt that the packaging also impacted the quality of the product. The containers are larger than they need to be. As one participant said: “You get a big container… you get a little bit of product in a big old container… I think that maybe adds to the fact that it gets drier quicker because it’s not as much in there.” Some companies are adding moisture packets or strips to prevent the product from drying out, but customers cannot see the contents before purchasing so it is unclear which companies take extra steps to maintain their product quality.
People who purchased from the unlicensed retailers in the community said that they often received their cannabis in a plastic bag. They liked the minimal packaging, but no product information was included. People who purchase from online unlicensed retailers say that some of those retailers take additional measures to ensure the quality of the products. Products were vacuum sealed and contained moisture packets. As one participant said: “they go the extra mile… to make sure that your product is…almost as it was, when it was cured and cut”.
Social Influences
Several social influences were discussed with respect to purchase decisions, including product recommendations, stigma, and personal safety. While some participants were knowledgeable and knew exactly what product they wanted to buy, those with less experience took product recommendations from store staff or friends into consideration. As one person said, “I go almost solely off recommendation when I go to legal stores.” Some participants were also interested in hearing recommendations about new product types or strains. For individuals who shopped through unlicensed sources online, they used online product reviews to ensure that both the product and the business had a good reputation for quality and service. With regard to medical use, most people indicated that they would not expect to get any medical advice from a cannabis retailer. However, participants indicated that they would like to get information and recommendations based on a desired effect or experience (e.g. relaxation, stimulation, sleep, anxiety, pain, etc.).
Most of the participants in this study were experienced users and were not concerned about stigma when purchasing cannabis. That being said, several participants highlighted how stigma could potentially influence or discourage cannabis purchasing decisions for other people. There are cannabis retailers located in high-traffic areas or areas with restaurants with outdoor seating nearby. One person said, “when I walk into the [cannabis store] door, everyone just gawks over looking at you.” This kind of social behaviour may be intimidating to some customers.
Most participants felt that there was a general shift in how people perceive cannabis, with less stigma than before. One participant noted that the stigma has not been eliminated: “I think although it might not be as expressed as much, it’s still there.” Negative stereotypes still exist, especially among the older demographic. Some participants discussed how they were not as quick to reveal their cannabis use in front of colleagues as they would be for alcohol, as they were unsure of how they would be perceived. The degree of stigma in the community also depended on the location. Those who had experience purchasing cannabis in other provinces noted that NL tended to be more progressive and accepting of cannabis than many other provinces. As one person said, “It’s incredible if you ever leave the province and try to buy cannabis somewhere else, how backwards and unprogressive they are with it.”
The issue of personal safety was also raised. This was not a common concern, but one female participant indicated that personal safety was her number one priority. She preferred to purchase from a store and did not want to be in a situation where she had to meet someone alone. She said, “I like… the cannabis stores… because it’s really accessible. And… it’s really open and I feel safe again.”
Retailer Characteristics
Many participants commented on retailer characteristics that impacted choice. These included product availability and variety (including products from craft cultivators), location proximity, hours of operation, and the knowledge of staff. One person also discussed how supporting local, legal businesses was a critical factor influencing their purchase decisions. “The biggest thing for me is that it’s a local company... I want to make sure that my money is staying in the province. So where I go is dependent on whether it is locally run or not.”
The availability and variety of products from particular sources was an important factor in participants’ choices of where to make their purchase. Product availability and insufficient variety were bigger issues in 2018 and 2019, when the legal production capacity did not meet the demand and edible products were not approved for sale. The participants felt, however, that many of the supply and variety issues had been resolved.
Product variety issues remained, primarily with cannabis concentrates and edibles. Concentrates have not been approved for the legal market. Edibles have been approved, but they are federally restricted to low dosage forms with a maximum of 10 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per package. Those with experience suggested that “you gotta buy like four or five packages, just to, you know to get a buzz going on edibles”, and they ended up purchasing from unlicensed sources to get higher-strength products.
Additionally, smaller stores (often in rural areas) could not offer the same variety of products than those offered in larger stores in urban centres. Because there is not a big enough market for each product type, they can only stock more common product types. This was noted to be problematic for people who preferred lower-strength THC products and/or higher-strength cannabidiol (CBD) products, which were not always stocked in smaller stores.
The participants did not want to travel far to get what they were looking for, and they wanted to get it at a time that worked for their needs. As one person said: “I just … go to the local place, whichever is closest.” Several people noted that some legal stores have limited hours of operation and close too early; however, when speaking about unlicensed neighborhood retailers, one person said: “when you get somebody … they’re open almost 24 hours, whereas when you go to a store you would have to go during set hours.” It was also noted that unlicensed retailers, particularly neighborhood retailers, have adapted to the new legal market to remain competitive. This included being available for more hours and providing convenience services. One person mentioned: “you can get yourself door-delivery of cannabis, no problem at a pretty good price.”
Finally, the knowledge and openness of the staff were discussed. These comments were more focused on the presence of helpful and courteous staff. There was reference to certain stores where staff not only lacked a level of awareness about the products but also gave customers a sense of being judged for the purchases they were making. In contrast, other stores make people feel very welcomed and respected, improving their overall experience.