Andrew Long, Data Reporter

Andrew is a visual and data journalist based in Mesa, Arizona. He previously worked as a news artist at the Arizona Republic where he developed informational graphics for the newspaper’s front-page team. During that time, he was an adjunct professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. In 2012, Andrew co-founded the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting.

Chart showing the average retail space for medical and recreational marijuana stores.

Average retail space in cannabis stores climbs sharply

The average size of retail space in cannabis stores jumped in 2020 amid increased consumer demand and the COVID-19 pandemic, rising 50% for medical dispensaries and 35% for recreational shops. Medical dispensaries averaged 3,357 square feet of retail space in 2020, while recreational shops averaged 4,308 square feet, according to owner surveys compiled for the […]

A graphic showing the growth in CBN products in adult-use markets.

The cannabinoid CBN might be cannabis industry’s surprise hit

While delta-8 THC is certainly stealing the spotlight, CBN might just be the sleeper cannabinoid of the summer – pun intended. Over the past year, cannabis companies have been leveraging the compound’s reputation as a sleep aid with growing success. Also known as cannabinol, CBN was first discovered nearly a century ago. Over that period, […]

Chart showing the long-term forecast for the US marijuana market in 2022.

Legal US cannabis sales could top $30 billion by 2022 thanks to continued growth, new markets

With new markets coming online and existing markets trending upward, legal cannabis sales in the U.S. are projected to surpass $30 billion in 2022, according to an updated long-term forecast by Seattle-based marijuana analytics firm Headset. This latest forecast includes impending recreational marijuana markets in New Mexico and Connecticut and a medical market in Alabama […]

A map and chart comparing MMJ patient totals in New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Medical marijuana patient numbers stall in New Hampshire, Rhode Island

Medical marijuana patient numbers in New Hampshire and Rhode Island have stalled recently as the recreational holdouts become surrounded by new adult-use markets. With Connecticut having recently legalized recreational marijuana, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are now engulfed by neighboring markets that either allow or are in various stages of allowing adult-use retail sales. And […]

Chart showing the estimated full-time employment estimates for the U.S. cannabis industry and how that compares to other industries.

Cannabis job growth fueled by sales, new markets

Job growth in the cannabis industry will be fueled by sustained sales growth and the launch of new state markets, especially on the recreational side of the business. According to analysis from the 2021 MJBizFactbook, the marijuana industry will employ 340,000-415,000 full-time equivalent workers across the United States in 2021 and grow to 545,000-600,000 by […]

A chart showing which edible flavors are most popular in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state.

Fruit flavors attract consumers of THC-infused cannabis edibles

Fruit flavors dominate sales of THC-infused cannabis edibles, accounting for more than three-quarters of all edibles sales in five Western states: California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Those sales were driven mostly by gummies, which account for more than 83% of the market share for the category. The dominance of fruit-based products provides a tough […]

Chart showing the breakdown of products containing CBD by ratio sold a recreational marijuana retailers.

Sales of CBD-only products declining in recreational marijuana shops

Sales of CBD-only products at recreational marijuana retail outlets have been falling since 2018 in four Western states as more of these goods move into mainstream stores and online, according to an analysis of sales data from Seattle-based Headset. The market share of noninhalable pure CBD products in adult-use stores has declined around 5 percentage […]

A chart showing the decline in prices per milligram of THC for noninhalable product categories.

Price per milligram of THC declining in cannabis-infused products

The average price per milligram of THC in infused cannabis products such as beverages and edibles has declined steadily since January 2020, a likely sign of increased competition as marijuana markets mature.

Maps showing the severe drought conditions facing cannabis cultivators this May compared to last year.

Cannabis cultivators again facing severe wildfire season

Historic drought conditions again will bring the threat of extreme wildfires to U.S. cannabis growers, especially those in Western states. Wildfires and the ash and smoke created by them are becoming a bigger threat to life and property as average temperatures rise and water resources dwindle amid climate change. Western states experienced historic destruction in […]

A map showing the economic impact of the marijuana industry on U.S. states.

Marijuana industry expected to add $92 billion to US economy in 2021

From jobs to tax revenue to commercial real estate, the marijuana industry has a large – and growing – impact on the broader economy in the United States. The total U.S. economic impact from marijuana sales in 2021 is expected to reach $92 billion – up more than 30% from last year – and upwards […]

A map showing the changes in population from the 2020 census for states where marijuana is legal.

Recreational marijuana states see population growth but loss of US House seat

The population in the 17 states where recreational cannabis is legal, as well as Washington DC, continued to grow over the past decade, a good sign for those markets in terms of potential marijuana consumers. But overall U.S. population growth has slowed to Depression-era levels, according to an analysis of the 2020 population data released […]

Branding pays off for marijuana companies

As the recreational marijuana industry expands and matures, branding will be a vital strategy for companies vying for market share. Companies that build identities that resonate with consumers while fulfilling their needs will continue to grow – even once the industry’s rapid expansion eventually slows. Building brands that connect to buyers takes time. But that […]

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