State-issued QR codes on cannabis products are sparking a surge in consumer trust, according to a new independent study.
Study Overview
Cannabis Public Policy Consulting (CPPC) surveyed 3,061 adult-use and medical cannabis consumers across 33 U.S. states, showing them a mock product with a state‑issued QR code linking to testing results, compliance data and safety resources.
Consumer Reception
One hundred percent of respondents said the QR code made them feel more protected by their state regulator; 91 % said it clarified consumer safeguards and 89 % reported greater confidence in the legal market.
Eighty‑eight percent said the information helped them differentiate regulated products from illicit alternatives, and nearly 90 % indicated they would be more likely to buy from a licensed dispensary rather than an unregulated source.
Value of Transparency
Participants prized QR‑linked data: 91 % valued state confirmation of compliance, 89 % valued lab testing results, 88 % valued recall alerts, and 86 % valued detailed product profiles.
Expert Commentary
“Consumers value more than access to information; they value the fact that the data comes from a trusted regulator,” said Mackenzie Slade, Principal Investigator at CPPC. “The QR code provides an instantly recognizable signal that a product belongs to the regulated system.”
Michael Johnson, CEO of Metrc, added, “When testing, compliance and oversight data are easy to verify, trust grows, purchasing decisions become smarter and confidence in the market strengthens.”
Recommendations for regulators and industry: The study urges standardizing state‑issued QR code transparency across all cannabis products and launching consumer education campaigns. It also advises keeping visible state regulatory branding on the codes to maximize perceived legitimacy and trust.
About the study
The research was a cross‑sectional online survey administered via Qualtrics™ and Cint Global Marketplace Community Research Panels among 3,061 recent cannabis consumers and registered medical patients in 33 U.S. jurisdictions with operational medical or adult‑use markets. An Institutional Review Board approved the study under exempt status. Full methodology, limitations and statistical findings are available in the complete report.
