New research published in Addictive Behaviors by researchers from CPHLR, the Milken Institute School of Public Health, and others examined marketing practices and compliance with age-verification rules, required signage, and marketing restrictions among 161 cannabis retailers across five U.S. cities in states that authorize nonmedical cannabis retail. Analyzing data gathered in July 2025, the authors found noncompliance issues across the landscape.

Findings highlight concerns about cannabis retailers’ regulatory compliance and marketing strategies, including gaps in age verification, noncompliance with required signage, and marketing strategies (e.g., health claims, youth-oriented products/ads, price promotions) that may differentially impact certain subpopulations (e.g., underage, veterans/military, older adults, lower-SES). Differences across cities sometimes, but not always, reflected variations in regulations, indicating implementation and enforcement gaps. Thus, as cannabis markets continue to emerge and evolve, ongoing surveillance is necessary to inform regulatory and enforcement efforts.