Gen Z preferences and health concerns cause vapes to overtake flower in California

The trend marks a sharp reversal in comparison to previous years

Rowan Dunne

Published

3 hours ago

Consumers in California now buy more cannabis vaporizers than traditional flower, marking a big shift in the state’s booming yet troubled weed market. This significant change was highlighted in the latest data from the state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), tallied to the end of February.

The change began in mid-2025 when vape sales edged out flower for the first time, and the gap continues to grow. According to Headset data shared with SFGate, the climb in vaporizer sales has been largely propelled by Gen Z consumers who prefer vape pens above all.

These shoppers like vapes because of their ease and discretion. They slip into pockets, produce less smell and let users control doses precisely. Many state residents feel that these devices deliver a cleaner, more enjoyable hit than smoking flower.

They can heat cannabis oil without burning it, cut out harmful smoke and preserve flavourful terpenes that give strains their unique tastes. Many users in California have been switching to vapes to avoid lung irritation from joints or pipes.

Moreover, health experts note that vaping skips combustion toxins, making it smoother for daily use. However, quality cartridges matter to avoid contaminants.

Tech advances also fuel this boom. Modern vapes feature smart temperature controls that improve flavour and effects without waste. They are continually becoming more advanced.

Pre-filled cartridges and disposables make consumption hassle-free, appealing to busy lifestyles in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. California also enforces strict testing for vape devices, ensuring safer materials and banning synthetic flavours, which builds trust.

This trend is having a major impact on the industry. As legalization spreads in the United States, vapes will likely dominate nationally, driven by Gen Z preferences and a focus on lung health.