Cannabis consumption varies widely across the United States. State laws, local culture, population size, tourism, and access to regulated products can all influence consumption patterns.

This article provides a historical look at cannabis consumption by city in 2025. For the latest analysis, read our updated guide to the most cannabis-consuming cities in the United States in 2026.

How the 2025 Rankings Were Calculated

The rankings below reflect estimates published by Insider Monkey in August 2024. The publisher used consumption data from the 2023 Cannabis Price Index and July 2023 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Cities with populations below 45,000 were excluded. The final figures represent estimated annual cannabis consumption in grams per resident.

These estimates are not official government measurements. Cannabis purchased through unregulated markets can be difficult to track, while different studies may use different methodologies. The rankings should therefore be viewed as historical estimates rather than definitive measurements of current consumption.

Top 10 Cities for Cannabis Consumption in 2025

10. Lincoln, Nebraska

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 13.83 grams

Lincoln placed tenth in the published ranking despite the absence of a regulated adult-use market during the period represented by the data.

Its position illustrates an important limitation of city-level cannabis rankings: estimated consumption and licensed retail sales are not the same measurement. Consumption may occur even where legal access remains limited.

9. Lake Charles, Louisiana

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 13.84 grams

Lake Charles narrowly surpassed Lincoln, with an estimated 13.84 grams consumed annually per resident.

Louisiana had a medical cannabis program and permitted certain hemp-derived products during the source period. However, it did not have a regulated adult-use marijuana market comparable to states such as Colorado or California.

8. Kyle, Texas

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 15.86 grams

Kyle ranked eighth despite Texas maintaining significant restrictions on marijuana. The state offered only a limited medical cannabis program during the period examined.

Once again, the ranking reflects estimated consumption rather than transactions completed through licensed dispensaries.

7. Waterloo, Iowa

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 16.55 grams

Waterloo recorded an estimated annual consumption rate of 16.55 grams per resident.

Iowa had a limited medical cannabis program but no regulated adult-use market. Its appearance in the ranking demonstrates why legalization status alone cannot explain estimated consumption patterns.

6. Johnson City, Tennessee

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 18.03 grams

Johnson City placed sixth, with estimated annual consumption exceeding 18 grams per resident.

Tennessee did not permit adult-use cannabis during the period covered by the source. As with several cities on this list, the estimate should not be interpreted as licensed retail sales data.

5. Cheyenne, Wyoming

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 20.3 grams

Cheyenne reached the top five despite Wyoming’s restrictive approach to cannabis.

The result may appear surprising when compared with cities in mature legal markets. However, per-capita rankings can produce unexpected results because they account for population size and may include consumption outside regulated retail systems.

4. Bloomington, Minnesota

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 25.23 grams

Bloomington ranked fourth, with estimated consumption of more than 25 grams per resident.

Minnesota legalized adult-use cannabis in 2023, although the broader licensed retail market was still developing during the period associated with the ranking. The state’s distinctive hemp-derived beverage market also made its cannabis landscape different from many other states.

3. Manchester, New Hampshire

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 34.37 grams

Manchester entered the top three with an estimated annual rate of 34.37 grams per resident.

New Hampshire had a medical cannabis program but had not established an adult-use retail market. Its high position further demonstrates that these rankings should not be confused with state-regulated sales reports.

2. Huntington, West Virginia

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 38.91 grams

Huntington ranked second, with estimated annual consumption approaching 39 grams per resident.

West Virginia permitted medical cannabis but not adult-use sales during the source period. Because unregulated consumption is difficult to measure, Huntington’s figure should be treated as an estimate rather than a precise total.

1. New Britain, Connecticut

Estimated annual consumption per capita: 43.15 grams

New Britain ranked first in the published data, with estimated annual consumption of 43.15 grams per resident.

Connecticut launched regulated adult-use cannabis sales in January 2023. Unlike several other cities in the top 10, New Britain was located in a state with an active recreational market during much of the period represented by the ranking.

Why Larger Cannabis Markets Did Not Make the Top 10

Cities such as Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and New York are closely associated with cannabis culture. However, they did not appear in the source’s top 10.

Denver ranked eleventh, while Los Angeles ranked thirteenth. Portland, New York, Las Vegas, and Seattle appeared farther down the 30-city list.

The difference comes partly from the use of per-capita estimates. A city can have a large cannabis market while recording lower estimated consumption per resident. Smaller cities may rank higher even when their total consumption is considerably lower.

Tourism, city boundaries, population estimates, product availability, and unregulated activity may also affect the results.

What the Rankings Mean for Cannabis Retailers

Consumption data can help operators identify areas where demand may exist. However, a single ranking should never determine an expansion or investment strategy.

Retailers must also evaluate state licensing requirements, local zoning rules, market competition, consumer demographics, tax rates, product preferences, and the availability of compliant financial services.

Payment infrastructure is another important consideration. A promising market still requires reliable systems that can support customer demand, reduce dependence on cash, and protect the business from processing disruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these official government rankings?

No. The figures are third-party estimates derived from previously published consumption data and Census population estimates. They are not official city or federal government measurements.

Which city ranked first for cannabis consumption in 2025?

New Britain, Connecticut, ranked first in the source used for this historical article. Its estimated annual consumption was 43.15 grams per resident.

Does a high ranking indicate a strong legal cannabis market?

Not necessarily. Several highly ranked cities were located in states without regulated adult-use sales. The estimates may reflect consumption occurring through medical, hemp-derived, cross-border, or unregulated channels.

Where can I find the latest rankings?

Visit PayRio’s updated analysis of the most cannabis-consuming cities in the United States in 2026 for the newest available breakdown.

Conclusion

The 2025 rankings offered an unusual view of cannabis consumption across American cities. While established cannabis destinations remained prominent, several smaller cities recorded higher per-capita estimates.

These findings show that cannabis demand does not always align neatly with legalization status or licensed retail sales. They also demonstrate why businesses should examine methodology and supporting market data before making strategic decisions.

As cannabis laws, consumer preferences, and regulated markets continue to change, current information becomes increasingly important. Readers evaluating today’s market should consult PayRio’s 2026 cannabis consumption rankings rather than relying solely on this historical snapshot.