With the movement to legalize recreational cannabis across the U.S., regulated markets are often presented as a safer alternative to illicit markets. However, a recently published assessment of 130 cannabis retailers performed in 5 cities across 5 different states from July through August of 2025, raises concerns about the health information consumers may receive at the point of sale. Retailers in these establishments often made unsupported health claims, minimized the risks associated with cannabis use, and offered vague or inconsistent advice that could leave consumers with misleading impressions about its safety and potential health effects.

Regulations also varied among the 5 states. Only Nevada required warnings for DUI and interstate transport. Colorado, Oregon, and Washington had restrictions related to health claims, while all 5 states required warnings against cannabis use during pregnancy.

Key Findings:

Nearly 88% of retailers verified the age of the customer. However, responses to questions about the health effects and risks of cannabis use were highly concerning.

  • Anxiety and insomnia:
    • More than 88% claimed cannabis helped anxiety and insomnia.
    • 12% claimed healthcare providers recommend cannabis use for these conditions.
    • 10% claimed the existence of scientific evidence for its use to manage these conditions.
  • Pregnancy-related nausea:
    • 36.2% suggested it helps through different responses
      • 13.1% said it helps in general.
      • 14.6% said they were not supposed to provide medical advice, but “most say” it helps.
      • 5.4% said healthcare providers recommend it.
      • 3.1% claimed its use for pregnancy-related nausea is backed by scientific evidence.
  • Driving after use:
    • 58% warned against it but 50% said that driving after consuming cannabis depends on the person/situation.
    • 7.7% said that most are not impacted.
  • Transporting across state lines:
    • 42.3% warned against interstate transport while 44.6% suggested ways to avoid detection. Some retailers suggested transporting products that are not immediately recognized as cannabis, such as gummies or mints.

As evident by the presented findings, regulation does not mean that consumers receive accurate, consistent, or evidence-based health information. Retailers frequently made health claims that are not supported by scientific research, while alleging they are. Although all states had rules to add warnings against use while pregnant, the variation in retailers’ responses can lead a pregnant person to believe it’s safe to use at the detriment of her and her baby’s health. The responses regarding driving after using cannabis matters because cannabis is known to affect reaction time, attention and judgment, and coordination.

As states continue to develop cannabis policies, greater attention should be given not only to what warnings and restrictions exist on paper, but also to what consumers are being told when they walk into a cannabis retail establishment.

Source: Berg, C. J., LoParco, C. R., Rossheim, M. E., McCready, D. M., Langan, L., Platt, E., Romm, K. F., Johnson, M., Speer, M. B., Burris, S., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. A. (2026). Mystery shopper assessments of cannabis retailer practices and regulatory compliance in five U.S. states, 2025. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 285, 113218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113218