California Cannabis Sales

May, 2026

Cannabis Market Data

Overview

California remains the largest legal cannabis market in the United States, with sales totaling $310 million in May 2026. Despite its size, the market has experienced a period of contraction, with sales down 7.5% year-over-year and a slight 0.5% decline month-over-month. Average item prices in California have stabilized at $18.31 in May 2026, after a gradual decrease from $19.20 a year prior. This price compression reflects ongoing competitive pressures and consumer demand for value, even as the market matures.

While the overall market has seen negative growth, the decline has slowed compared to previous months, suggesting a potential bottoming out. The market’s resilience is evident in its ability to maintain high sales volumes, with over 16.9 million units sold in May 2026. California's diverse consumer base and broad product assortment continue to drive significant retail activity, even as operators adapt to shifting economic and regulatory conditions.

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$309.4M

May, 2026

Sales

-7.4 %

Year Over Year

Growth

Data Snapshot Jun 03, 2026

Market Comparison

California's cannabis market is unmatched in size, but its recent growth rates and pricing trends differ from other leading states.

Key Takeaways: - California remains the largest market by a wide margin, but its -7.5% YoY decline contrasts with growth in emerging markets like New York (+15.4%) and Ohio (+22.5%). - Average item prices in California are mid-range compared to other states, with Michigan offering the lowest prices and New York the highest. - Mature markets (CA, WA, CO) are seeing price compression and flat or negative growth, while newer markets are expanding rapidly.

For more granular insights into category and brand performance across states, Headset Insights offers comprehensive market intelligence.

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California Weed Prices

Flower (Gram)

$8.89

4.20%

Flower (Eighth)

$21.98

4.20%

Edible (100mg)

$12.99

4.20%

Concentrate (Gram)

$17.01

4.20%

Top Strain

OG #18

| State | Sales ($M) | Avg. Price | MoM Growth | YoY Growth | |-------|------------|------------|------------|------------| | [CA](https://www.headset.io/markets/california) | $310 | $18.31 | -0.5% | -7.5% | | [MI](https://www.headset.io/markets/michigan) | $260 | $8.49 | 0.5% | -4.7% | | [MA](https://www.headset.io/markets/massachusetts) | $143 | $16.98 | 3.4% | 0.1% | | [NY](https://www.headset.io/markets/new-york) | $155 | $29.60 | 4.3% | 15.4% | | [IL](https://www.headset.io/markets/illinois) | $130 | $26.80 | 3.3% | -8.1% | | [MO](https://www.headset.io/markets/missouri) | $132 | $26.61 | 2.1% | -0.4% | | [CO](https://www.headset.io/markets/colorado) | $100 | $13.94 | 3.6% | -0.7% | | [WA](https://www.headset.io/markets/washington) | $89 | $11.72 | 2.5% | -9.0% |

Data Snapshot Jun 03, 2026

Category Performance

Flower

96.2

-12.1

Vapor Pens

89.94

-3.8

Pre-Roll

57.69

-4.3

Edible

36.59

-5.1

Concentrates

14.74

-8.2

Beverage

7.59

5.9

Capsules

2.77

-42.8

Tincture & Sublingual

2.4

-12.1

Topical

1.48

-14.0

Among all categories, Beverages are showing a notably different trend. While most major categories (like Flower and Edibles) are experiencing year-over-year declines, Beverages posted a 5.9% increase in sales and a 7.9% increase in units sold year-over-year in May 2026. This growth is driven by innovation, new consumer occasions, and expanding product variety.

Key Insights: - Carbonated beverages are the clear growth engine, with sales up 38.5% year-over-year. - Tea, Coffee, and Hot Cocoa saw explosive growth, albeit from a small base. - Most other segments are flat or declining, but the overall category is buoyed by innovation and new formats.

For a deeper dive into the top-performing beverage brands and their strategies, Headset Insights can provide detailed brand-level analysis.

| Segment | Avg. Price | Sales ($M) | Units Sold | YoY Sales Growth | |---------------------------------|------------|------------|------------|------------------| | Carbonated | $7.89 | $2.18 | 276,671 | 38.5% | | Iced Tea, Lemonade, Fruit | $6.76 | $2.81 | 415,393 | -14.0% | | Sports and Energy | $7.09 | $0.99 | 139,765 | 3.2% | | Water | $8.13 | $0.52 | 63,336 | -7.5% | | Drops, Mixes, Elixirs, Syrups | $23.95 | $0.73 | 30,524 | -4.5% | | Tea, Coffee, Hot Cocoa | $6.28 | $0.35 | 56,278 | 873.9% | | Mocktails | $26.46 | $0.01 | 280 | -14.6% |

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Data Snapshot Jun 03, 2026

Top Cannabis Brands in California

STIIIZY

Jeeter

Wyld

Rove

Camino

Claybourne Co.

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Market Trends

Product Category Market Share In California

Monthly Cannabis Sales

Historical Cannabis Sales In California

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When we dig into the underlying causes of the overall cannabis sales declines in the US, we find some notable patterns contributing to the market retraction.

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