Last May, we published our full-year sales data breakdown and identified something we hadn't seen before: vaporizers had overtaken flower as the #1 product category at our dispensary, commanding 34% of total sales. At the time, we knew something was shifting. Now we know exactly who's behind it.

A recent SFGATE report confirmed what we were seeing: Gen Z is the driving force. According to data from cannabis analytics company Headset shared with SFGATE, Gen Z is the first generation in history to spend more on vapes than flower — 38% of their cannabis dollars go to vape pens, compared to just 32.5% on flower. That's the exact inverse of millennials, who still spend 40.1% on flower. Statewide, vapes surpassed flower as the top-selling category in June 2025, and California shoppers now spend over 10% more on vapes than flower every month.

The trend we spotted in our own store is now playing out across the entire state. Here's what's behind it and what it means for LA cannabis shoppers.

The Numbers Tell the Story

According to data from cannabis analytics company Headset, Gen Z — adults ages 21 to 29 in the legal cannabis market — spend their money fundamentally differently than every generation before them.

Gen Z is the first generation in history to spend more money on cannabis vapes than flower. Millennials still favor flower at 40.1% of their spend, with only 25.7% going to vapes. The generational divide is stark — and it's moving the entire market.

Why Vapes Are Winning

Walk into LAX Cannabis Club on any given day and you'll see it firsthand. Younger shoppers gravitate to the vape case first. They know the brands, they know the hardware, and they know exactly what they want. Here's why the format resonates:

The Brands Leading the Shift

This isn't just a category shift — it's minting new power players. Stiiizy, California's biggest vertically integrated cannabis company, has been built primarily on the back of budget vape sales. Their pods and all-in-ones are consistently among the top sellers at dispensaries statewide — including ours.

Rove, Raw Garden, and Bloom have all expanded their vape lines significantly. Nearly every major cannabis brand in California now has a dedicated vape product — because that's where the dollars are going.

What This Means for Health

The rapid growth of vaping across all age groups isn't without concern. Ziva Cooper, a cannabis researcher and professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, told SFGATE that cannabis oil carries a higher risk of contamination by heavy metals or pesticides compared to flower, and that vaping cannabis oil could carry different health risks — including higher risk of pulmonary disease and potentially increased dependence.

This is exactly why buying from a licensed dispensary matters more with vapes than any other product category. The difference between a regulated cartridge and a black market one isn't just quality — it's safety.

Flower Isn't Going Anywhere

Before anyone panics — flower is still massive. Headset's February 2026 data shows flower at 31.2% of total California sales, with vapes at 29.3%. The gap is closing fast, but flower still has deep loyalty among millennials, Gen X, and legacy consumers who grew up rolling joints and packing bowls.

At LAX Cannabis Club, we stock both categories deep. Our flower wall features brands like West Coast Cure, Maven, and Habitat. Our vape case is equally loaded. The shift isn't about one format dying — it's about a new generation choosing differently, and dispensaries adapting to serve both.

The Bottom Line

Gen Z didn't just start buying more vapes — they fundamentally changed what it means to consume cannabis in California. The joint isn't dead, but the vape pen is the new default for millions of consumers under 30. For dispensaries, that means stocking deeper vape selections, carrying the brands that resonate on social media, and making sure every single cartridge on the shelf is lab-tested and licensed.

That last part isn't optional. As vaping grows, so does the illicit market trying to capitalize on it with untested, unregulated cartridges. The only way to know what you're inhaling is to buy from a dispensary that can show you the lab results.