Cassandra and Miss Grass Report Highlights Changing Attitudes Toward Cannabis

Nearly half of young people plan to celebrate 4/20 this year

NEW YORK, April 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cassandra, ENGINE's insights and strategy group that studies trendsetting young consumers, and Miss Grass, a female-founded and community-driven cannabis brand, are releasing a new trends analysis, Seeing Green. Based upon Cassandra's own proprietary qualitative and quantitative research, the report showcases how as cannabis becomes increasingly socially acceptable – not to mention legal – Gen Z is poised to embrace weed with very different attitudes than previous generations, including a more equitable lens, fewer stigmas, and with an eye for product design and sleek branding.

For youth today, cannabis is seen as a more wellness-oriented, holistic alternative to other vices. Seventy-eight percent of Gen Z say that society is more accepting of cannabis these days, and Cassandra found nearly 50% of young people surveyed plan to celebrate 4/20, the unofficial "weed holiday," this year. The report also found that 50% of Gen Z anticipate that "people into wellness and mental health" will actively consume cannabis products.

Seeing Green also explores that as cannabis grows in acceptance, so too does the importance of branding and design within the category. Millennials and Gen Z alike are accustomed to well-designed products and packaging, and the cannabis category will be no different for them. "I want nice, cool, trendy, funny, accessible, and portable packaging," said Robert, a 26-year-old participant in the report. Young people are also increasingly treating cannabis like any other brand, with 1 in 4 youth 18+ saying they plan to invest in a cannabis brand or stock, and nearly 40% saying they have discussed a specific branded cannabis product.

"Attitudes around cannabis have been shifting significantly with Gen Z, setting them apart from Boomers, Gen X, and even Millennials, which indicates continued growth in the marketplace," said Kathy Sheehan, Senior Vice President, Cassandra. "Cannabis is now increasingly viewed as a means of 'self-care,' which is a dramatic shift from prior generations."

While young people may not have grown up with the stigma of marijuana use, they are aware of the criminalism and racial history and are expecting brands to prioritize cannabis activism. Gen Z overwhelmingly thinks it's crucial to acknowledge the racist history of marijuana – and feel brands must address this as well.

Kate Miller, CEO, and Founder of Miss Grass, agrees. "The report demonstrates how Gen Zs expect brands to address prior generations' inequities related to cannabis. Every brand, every leader, every executive working in the space – it is their responsibility to do what they can to right the wrongs of the war on drugs."

Cassandra, ENGINE's insights and strategy group, studies trendsetting young consumers, revealing the key characteristics and strategies that drive the relationship between influencers and consumers.

To learn more about the Cassandra Report® and the benefits of becoming a Cassandra client, please contact us. https://cassandra.co.

ABOUT CASSANDRA
We empower Fortune 500 companies to See Tomorrow^® through trend forecasting, research, brand strategy, and consulting services that drive innovation and build deeper engagement with youth. Cassandra is an insights and cultural strategy group within ENGINE, a global, full-service media and marketing and services company. As the leading experts on young consumers and the cultural forces shaping their lives for nearly 20 years, Cassandra is the foremost authority on Millennials and Generation Z. Membership includes a 12-month engagement with our insights platform where you will have access to the leading syndicated study of the behaviors, mindsets, and preferences of young consumers as well as cross-industry examples and implications to inspire your brand. To learn more about the Cassandra Report^® and the benefits of becoming a Cassandra client, please contact us. https://cassandra.co

ABOUT ENGINE
ENGINE is a global, full-service media and marketing services company that unites culture and commerce to move brands forward faster. We are: Driven by data. Fueled by imagination. Powered by technology. Founded in 2005, ENGINE has global headquarters in New York and 16 offices across North America, the UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific. ENGINE empowers clients to outperform in the present and win in the future with its vast range of marketing solutions including – insights, creative, media, data and technology. Find out more at enginegroup.com and follow @engineworldwide.

ABOUT MISS GRASS
Miss Grass is on a mission to help the world get good at weed. With signature THC and CBD products and a carefully curated online smoke shop and marketplace, the female-founded, community-driven cannabis brand offers everything the discerning, modern cannabis user needs. In addition to introducing consumers to the latest and greatest in the weed world, Miss Grass also offers a wealth of resources that educate on the history, science, and culture of cannabis—all in the spirit of conscious consumption. Miss Grass is working to eradicate the stigma around cannabis and make it more accessible to everybody, everywhere. Learn more at www.missgrass.com.

Media Contact – ENGINE/Cassandra
Laura Czaja 
[email protected]

Media Contact – Miss Grass
Nina Bral 
[email protected]

SOURCE ENGINE Group