Study: Washington’s Current Canopy Size Satisfies Medical and Recreational Markets

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On May 12, 2016, a study published by the Cannabis Law & Policy Project at the University of Washington School of Law revealed that the state’s total allotted “grow canopy,” or square footage, is sufficient enough to meet the demands of both medical and recreational markets.

With the state’s medical market folding into its retail market, as directed by the Cannabis Patient Protection Act, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board tasked CLLP with calculating the size of the canopy required to supply the state’s medical marijuana market.

The study found that a canopy of 1.7-2 million sq.ft. satisfies the medical marijuana market, and that the 12.3 million sq.ft. of canopy currently approved by WSLCB is enough to satisfy the total marijuana market in Washington.

According to the University of Washington, “Medical marijuana dispensaries must either obtain a state license or close by July 1, 2016. Of the 343 retail stores licensed by the LCB, approximately 81 percent have sought endorsements to their license to sell marijuana to authorized medical patients.”

“It was important to design this study the right way and engage in careful empirical research reaching out directly to medical dispensaries and growers across the state,” said Sean O’Connor, the study’s principal investigator, CLPP faculty director and Boeing International Professor at UW Law.

According to the report, Washington had an estimated 273 medical marijuana dispensaries in January 2016, with dispensaries selling an average of 9.55 pounds of flower per month and grams at less than $10 each. As far as product type, flower represented 60 percent of dispensary sales, concentrates 22 percent and edibles 18 percent. Based upon a 10 million sq.ft. canopy, Washington’s potential marijuana market value is greater than $8 billion.

The staff byline designates content that has been written by a staff writer of MJINews.

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