A glance at the weed industry on 4/20
The Spokesman-Review • • business
Key Points:
- Since Washington legalized marijuana in 2012, cannabis has become widely accessible, with dispensaries located frequently, diminishing the novelty of the 4/20 holiday.
- Washington's marijuana sales have declined from $1.47 billion in 2021 to about $1.14 billion in 2025, attributed to factors like the end of the pandemic and increased market competition driving prices down.
- Larger cannabis chains, dubbed "Walmarts of Weed," leverage their purchasing power to offer steep discounts, forcing smaller dispensaries to slash prices by up to 40% to remain competitive.
- Economic pressures and shifting consumer preferences, especially among Gen Z who show less interest in cannabis use, contribute to decreased sales and a market trend toward cheaper products.
- The cultural origin of 4/20 dates back to 1971 with a group of California students, gaining wider recognition through connections with the Grateful Dead and cannabis advocacy in the early 1990s.
