Sacramento is ’cannabis capital of California,’ study says. What makes it a top weed city?

Hanh Truong

Sacramento is one of the best cities in the nation for cannabis fans, according to a new study.

Real Estate Witch and Leafly, an online cannabis guide and marketplace, analyzed 50 of the largest metropolitan cities in the United States and ranked them as the best — and worst — cities for weed.

Denver topped the list of the Best 15 Weed Cities in first place, followed by Portland, Oregon, in second place.

Sacramento was No. 8, while other California cities appeared lower on the list.

“Sacramento is the cannabis capital of California, ranking No. 1 in the Golden State for the third straight year,” according to the study.

The study found that cannabis prices in Sacramento are the most affordable.

Individuals can find a “high-quality ounce” for $212, which is about $106 less than the average price of $318.

Washington, D.C., has the highest price per ounce at $597, the survey said. The city has held that record for three years in a row.

“Sacramento stands to be the epicenter of high-quality indoor cannabis in the legalization era,” said David Downs, senior content manager at Leafly. “Sacramento pot is the sleeper hit of the state. If you want a picture of the future, it’s happening in Sacramento first.”

Marijuana grows at the Ohana Gardens Collective, a medical cannabis cultivation and delivery business, in 2017.
Marijuana grows at the Ohana Gardens Collective, a medical cannabis cultivation and delivery business, in 2017.

How were U.S. cities ranked?

Using a weighted ranking, Real Estate Witch and Leafly looked at the legality of cannabis in all the cities and Google Trends metrics for weed-related searches.

The companies also looked at dispensaries and cannabis-prescribing doctors per 100,000 residents, as well as the average rating of dispensaries, site visitors to Leafly and price of high-quality and medium-quality weed.

Cannabis products are seen in a case as Aaron Grove, owner of Elk Grove CBD, rings up a purchase Saturday, April 13, 2024. Elk Grove, a city that prides itself on economic growth, urban planning and development, prohibited cannabis (a multi-billion dollar industry) from operating in its city limits.
Cannabis products are seen in a case as Aaron Grove, owner of Elk Grove CBD, rings up a purchase Saturday, April 13, 2024. Elk Grove, a city that prides itself on economic growth, urban planning and development, prohibited cannabis (a multi-billion dollar industry) from operating in its city limits.

What are the top 10 best cities for weed?

These are the top 10 best cities for weed, according to Real Estate Witch and Leafly:

  1. Denver

  2. Portland, Oregon

  3. Las Vegas

  4. Buffalo, New York

  5. Baltimore

  6. Phoenix

  7. Seattle

  8. Sacramento

  9. Kansas City

  10. Providence

What are the 10 worst cities for cannabis?

The study found these were the 10 worst cities for cannabis:

  1. Louisville, Kentucky

  2. Dallas

  3. Atlanta

  4. Houston

  5. Birmingham, Alabama

  6. Nashville, Tennessee

  7. Charlotte, North Carolina

  8. Milwaukee

  9. Memphis, Tennessee

  10. Indianapolis

How did other California cities rank?

Sacramento was the top California city on the list complied by Real Estate Witch and Leafly.

It’s followed by San Jose at No. 12 and San Francisco at No. 14.

San Diego ranked at No. 16 and Los Angeles was No. 22.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.

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