Cannabis Small Business Association 2026 Consumer Survey Insights: The Case for Protecting Access to Cannabis Products in Virginia

In communities across Virginia—from the scenic Appalachian regions of Southwest Virginia to suburban and urban areas farther north—the Cannabis Small Business Association (CSBA) 2026 Cannabis Consumer Survey has compiled extensive and detailed feedback from a wide-ranging group of residents who incorporate hemp-derived and low-THC cannabis products into their wellness routines. This robust survey illuminates the significant therapeutic contributions these products make to everyday health management, while emphasizing the critical role played by local, independent small businesses in ensuring safe, reliable, and community-oriented access.

Participants represent a diverse cross-section of Virginia life, with first names like Phyllis, Crystal, Heather, David, Savannah, Jeremy, Margaret, and many others reflecting parents, grandparents, working professionals, caregivers, and veterans. Geographically, responses show strong participation from rural and small-town areas as well as large metro’s, including substantial contributions from Marion, Abingdon, Chilhowie, and Bristol—highlighting how these products resonate particularly in close-knit communities where local support networks are vital.

Therapeutic Benefits: Evidence from User Experiences

The survey data paints a clear picture of widespread reliance on cannabis products for managing chronic and debilitating conditions:

• More than 88% of respondents use these products primarily for pain relief, addressing issues ranging from arthritis and neuropathy to cancer-related discomfort, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune disorders.

• Over 81% report benefits for sleep improvement, reclaiming restful nights disrupted by insomnia or neurological issues.

• Approximately 71% cite anxiety reduction as a key advantage.

• Around 64% note alleviation of stress, with additional mentions of support for depression, PTSD, epilepsy, digestive problems (such as Crohn's disease or IBS), appetite stimulation, and overall emotional regulation.

  
  

These quantitative insights are enriched by qualitative anecdotes that reveal the human impact. One participant living with multiple sclerosis shared that cannabis products "help me to participate in daily life," allowing greater mobility and engagement in routine activities that might otherwise be limited.

Another with severe rheumatoid arthritis described preferring cannabis over conventional pain medications, which often bring side effects like nausea: "the cannabis helps the pain and my stress from daily chronic pain with no side effects." Such accounts underscore a preference for natural, plant-based options that offer relief without the burdens of addiction or adverse reactions.

Family-oriented responses add emotional depth: individuals note products helping partners control epileptic seizures, easing nausea and depression for those with cancer, or supporting loved ones with end-stage illnesses like cirrhosis to maintain appetite and comfort during difficult days. These stories illustrate how access extends beyond individual users to enhance family quality of life, allowing shared moments that might otherwise be overshadowed by suffering.

The Role of Veterans

Veterans emerge as a particularly poignant group within the survey, with many highlighting cannabis products as invaluable for addressing service-connected challenges. Responses frequently reference relief from PTSD, chronic injury-related pain, anxiety, depression, migraines, and sleep disturbances—conditions that can profoundly affect reintegration into civilian life.

One veteran explained that the products enable them to "function with everyday activities due to severe PTSD and anxiety," while another, managing multiple neurological issues alongside daily yoga, depends on them for migraine control and overall stability.

These testimonials reflect a quiet gratitude for alternatives that provide dignity and effectiveness where traditional treatments sometimes fall short, offering veterans a path toward calmer days and more peaceful nights.

The Value of Small, Local Businesses

Participants overwhelmingly favor independent retailers, with establishments like The Realm (the most frequently cited favorite), District Hemp, and Greener Things earning repeated praise. These businesses are appreciated for high-quality, trustworthy products as well as for fostering personal connections through knowledgeable staff and welcoming atmospheres.

Comments emphasize "excellent and inviting" customer service, the reassurance of a "safe place to purchase" tested items, and guidance tailored to individual needs. In contrast to larger multi-state operators (MSOs), which prioritize expansion and profits, these small enterprises reinvest in their communities, create local jobs, promote education, and help destigmatize cannabis use.

One respondent even noted that supporting their favorite shop helps preserve community employment, highlighting the broader economic ties. Small businesses often provide superior product quality through careful curation and direct relationships with growers, fostering innovation and personalized options that larger corporate entities may overlook.

Everyday Lives, Shared Experiences

At their core, survey participants mirror the general population: dedicated parents balancing responsibilities, caregivers tending to aging relatives, and individuals striving for wellness amid life's demands.

Many describe cannabis products as enabling greater social interaction, restful evenings, and active participation in family routines—simple yet profound enhancements that allow them to embrace daily joys more fully.

Commitment to Advocacy

The survey reveals a highly engaged community motivated by personal experience:

• Approximately 73% express willingness to reach out to friends and family to raise awareness.

• 64% are prepared to email legislators.

• Over one-third (37%) indicate readiness to make phone calls to lawmakers.

• Substantial portions are open to attending meetings, grassroots trainings, or sharing stories publicly.

  
  

This civic readiness stems from direct, lived benefits, demonstrating a collective investment in preserving and expanding access.

Policy Implications: Protecting Hemp Access and Shaping the Emerging Recreational Market

The CSBA 2026 Consumer Survey provides compelling, evidence-based documentation of how cannabis products—particularly from small businesses—deliver tangible health improvements for diverse Virginians, from rural families to veterans seeking peace.

As Virginia approaches the anticipated launch of a regulated adult-use recreational cannabis market in November 2026, these findings take on added urgency. Current plans include provisions to prioritize microbusinesses and impact applicants, with features such as early licensing for small operators, caps on large-scale cultivation, and restrictions on ownership consolidation to prevent multi-state operators from dominating the landscape.

Advocates emphasize that a recreational framework favoring small, local businesses would ensure higher-quality products through craft cultivation, stronger community ties, local economic reinvestment, and greater innovation—benefits that corporate-dominated models in other states have often failed to deliver. Without careful safeguards, however, there is risk of market capture by large MSOs, potentially limiting diversity, raising prices, and reducing personalized service.

Potential restrictions on existing hemp-derived product access, or a recreational rollout that sidelines small enterprises, could disrupt this access, impacting personal well-being, local economies, and supportive community structures—with ripple effects felt nationwide.

Virginia's policies have the opportunity to serve as a thoughtful model, balancing regulation with compassion to sustain innovation in natural wellness while prioritizing small businesses over monopolistic interests.

Policymakers, health professionals, and citizens are invited to consider these findings deeply, engage with local cannabis retailers, and support measures that protect small enterprises, ensure equitable market entry, and maintain patient choice. By doing so, we honor the resilience of those who have found meaningful relief and ensure these options—both hemp-derived and, soon, recreational—remain available for future generations as a cornerstone of community health and dignity.