Our client-partners work with data that contains information about the retail environment, including retailer locations, products sold, pricing, and proximity to youth-centered spaces. While this information is important, it’s difficult to advise on policy without a clear understanding of what impact a particular change may have. A spreadsheet filled with data may have a crucial story to tell, but it’s not always easy to see. 

This is where data visualization can help. Data visualization is the process of turning information into visual tools such as maps, graphs, and dashboards. It allows individuals to see beyond the raw numbers and connect with the meaning behind the data. Visuals can help reveal patterns, trends, and disparities that hide in large datasets, helping public health professionals understand the data and the community it represents. For example, a spreadsheet can show the number of retailers in a county, but a map can display where those retailers are located relative to schools, parks, and other places with higher concentrations of youth. A dashboard containing descriptive and context-based visuals lays out data in a way that can help organizations identify the areas where prevention efforts and policy changes are most needed. These visuals help turn dense data into a clearer story.

Storytelling matters in public health. Advocates are looking to explain why an issue deserves attention, funding, and policy action. When data is presented visually, complex challenges become easier to understand and feel more actionable. It also highlights inequities, allowing policymakers to identify communities that may experience greater exposure to harmful products and health disparities. Data visualization strengthens public health expertise, community voices, and advocacy. When data is clear and accessible, it becomes easier to communicate problems, identify solutions, and guide decision-making. Data visualization can support community members in actively participating in community change work and helping shape the solutions that directly impact their lives. 

At Counter Tools, we help bridge the gap between data and action by creating high-quality visualizations that allow our client-partners to understand the retail environment in their communities. These insights can support evidence-based strategies and informed policy decisions. Contact Counter Tools to learn more about how you can use data visualization in your education and advocacy efforts.

As cannabis products become more widely available in retail settings across the United States, communities are increasingly committed to ensuring that public health is not compromised by commercial interests.

The retail environment shapes how cannabis products are marketed, who is exposed to them, what products are easiest to access, and ultimately how communities experience the impacts of cannabis commercialization.

For public health practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and community advocates, understanding cannabis sales at the point of sale is critical for developing effective, evidence-based policies that protect public health while responding to a rapidly changing marketplace.

That is why Counter Tools developed the resource Cannabis at the Point of Sale: Products, Policies, and the Retail Environment — a one-pager designed to help communities begin to understand, assess, and respond to the evolving cannabis retail landscape.

What Does “Point of Sale” Mean for Cannabis Products?

The “point of sale” refers to the places where cannabis products are sold and promoted. This includes licensed cannabis dispensaries – but also includes the many all-age stores that sell cannabis-derived (hemp) intoxicating products, such as convenience stores, gas stations, smoke and vape shops, and grocery stores.

Just as tobacco and alcohol research has shown that retail environments influence public health outcomes, cannabis retail environments can also affect initiation, patterns of use, social perception, and health risks.

Why Cannabis Retail Environments Matter

Cannabis products today are very different from those available decades ago. Retail markets now include high-potency concentrates, flavored vape products, infused beverages, gummies, candies, snacks, and products designed with branding and packaging that can strongly appeal to youth.

Communities often focus on legalization policies themselves, but retail conditions are equally important because they determine how cannabis products are introduced into everyday environments.

The point of sale matters because it influences:

• Youth exposure and appeal
• Product accessibility
• Consumer understanding of risks
• Use patterns and dependence
• Community density of retailers
• Perceptions of safety and normalization

Understanding these factors allows communities to identify gaps in regulation and opportunities for prevention.

One of the biggest public health concerns related to cannabis retail environments is youth exposure. Research has shown that colorful packaging, candy-like products, sweet flavors, cartoon imagery, and food-based branding can increase youth appeal. Cannabis gummies, chocolates, beverages, and snacks are often packaged in ways that resemble conventional consumer products familiar to children and adolescents.

What Can Communities Do?

Local governments, coalitions, researchers, and advocates can take meaningful action by gathering local data. Conducting retail assessments provides valuable information to best inform policy decisions. 

Communities can visit local retailers and systematically document:

• Product types
• Product potency
• Packaging features
• Advertising and promotions
• Pricing practices
• Product placement
• Exterior and interior signage
• Health warnings and labeling
• Store location, proximity, and density
• Other micro and macro-level factors

Many cannabis policies evolve rapidly, and local assessments help determine whether regulations are keeping pace with the marketplace, and whether there is compliance with the regulations. 

Point-of-sale assessments transform abstract policy conversations into concrete evidence about what is happening on the ground. Furthermore, local data is often more compelling than national statistics because it reflects conditions residents can directly observe in their own neighborhoods. 

Looking Ahead

Cannabis markets continue to evolve rapidly. New products, new marketing strategies, and new retail models are constantly emerging. At the same time, states and localities are still determining how best to regulate. The point of sale will remain one of the most important places where these tensions play out.

By paying attention to the retail environment, communities can move beyond broad debates about legalization and focus on practical, evidence-informed strategies that protect public health and reduce harm.

Collecting local data, evaluating retail conditions, and developing evidence-based policies can help communities better respond to emerging cannabis-related challenges while supporting informed decision-making for residents and policymakers alike.

A Georgia-based non-profit health coalition, Let’s Be Clear Georgia, and Counter Tools partnered together to lead a project focused on studying the landscape of intoxicating consumable hemp products and other intoxicating products in Georgia’s retail stores. During September and October 2025, community health staff and partners conducted retail store assessments at retailers within six different Georgia counties. This provided beneficial geographic diversity covering urban, suburban, and more rural areas across northern, central, and southern Georgia. There was also diverse representation in terms of the type of stores assessed, which included convenience stores, tobacco and vape shops, liquor/package stores, grocery stores, and drug stores. At these retail establishments, store assessors examined the types and forms of products sold, product promotion and advertisements, product accessibility within the store, products attractive to children, product constituents, product potency, and required store signage.

“A legislative study committee was formed to learn more about hemp consumables in Georgia. Recognizing that Georgia had no data on these products, our organization contacted Counter Tools to discuss conducting a retail assessment to be used to inform the public and policymakers about what is available in our state. The data confirmed what we had heard and seen. Stores were not abiding by the law, putting Georgia’s youth at risk,” said Charlotte Spell, Executive Director of Let’s Be Clear Georgia.

These retail store assessments revealed extensive non-compliance with Georgia law and widespread availability of highly potent intoxicating hemp products and other intoxicating products posing significant public health risks.

Findings showed:

1. Widespread non-compliance

More than half of all assessed stores sold prohibited hemp product types, including smokable flower and hemp-infused foods. Nearly one-third failed to post the required 21+ age-of-sale signage.

A hazelnut “crispy blunts” (wafer candy) containing consumable hemp found in a Georgia retailer. This is in violation of state law, which prohibits hemp-adulterated or hemp-infused food products.

2. Youth exposure and appeal

Nearly 70% of stores sold hemp-derived cannabis products that are attractive to children, including items using candy imagery, copycat branding, cartoon characters, and kid-focused flavors.

3. Potency loopholes

While Georgia state law limits Delta-9 THC potency for gummies and beverages, manufacturers circumvent these rules by using other intoxicating cannabinoids such as Delta-8, Delta-10, HHC, and THC-P. As a result, 55% of stores selling gummies offered products exceeding 300 mg THC/HHC per package, and 61% sold single gummies exceeding 10 mg per piece.

1,500mg per gummy; 120,000 mg per jar. Containing a mixture of semi-synthetic and chemically synthesized cannabinoids and advertised with cartoon rocket ships. With a psychotropic effect typically starting at around 5 mg of THC consumption, this is 300 times that amount per gummy.

4. Unregulated potency in inhalable products

Vape cartridges and inhalable forms—which accounted for the majority of products found in stores—have no potency limits under current state law, despite containing highly concentrated intoxicating cannabinoids.

5. Public health risks increasing

Georgia poison control calls involving cannabis ingestion rose 66% from 2018 to 2021, with more hemp edible-related calls in the first 8 months of 2025 than in all of 2024.

1,000 mg per gummy “Delta-9 THC mix blend” found at a Georgia retailer. With the state’s legal limit set at 10 mg of Delta-9 THC per gummy, this is 100 times higher than the state’s legal limit. Advertised in youth-appealing “watermelon OG” and “strawberry smash” flavors.

Kratom products containing highly concentrated levels of added 7-OH, which leads to a potent opioid-like effect that the FDA has issued warning letters about due to physical and behavioral health and safety concerns.

Counter Tools synthesized the store assessment findings and coupled this with research conducted on both federal and Georgia state laws regarding consumable hemp products. Along with descriptive statistical support from the University of North Texas School of Public Health, Counter Tools composed a final report that included a quick-reference executive summary and infographic. Let’s Be Clear will be providing these materials to the Georgia state legislature’s blue ribbon committee, which is currently meeting to review policy approaches.

“Working with the Counter Tools team was like working with old friends. They provided excellent customer service (project management) by guiding the process while assuring that our specific needs were met. The result has provided our state with valuable products that will contribute to conversations with parents, administrators, youth, and policymakers. This valuable data will also be highlighted at Let’s Be Clear Georgia’s upcoming Marijuana Prevention Summit in 2026,” said Charlotte Spell, Executive Director of Let’s Be Clear Georgia.

Counter Tools looks forward to working with more states and local communities to collect store assessment data to support their policy, systems, and environmental change goals.

This presentation explored the commercial determinants of health (CDoH) as they relate to the cannabis industries sector, examining how product availability and design, placement, pricing, promotion, lobbying, and cross-industry partnerships may influence community health.

Recognizing that cannabis commercialization is relatively young compared to other consumer product industries, and, given the distinct social and legal backdrop of cannabis, there remains diverse viewpoints around both profit-driven motives and public health responsibilities – even from within the industry. With the significant harms faced by many U.S. communities of color due to mass incarceration, institutionalized racism, and disproportionately applied enforcement practices, cannabis-related criminalization of communities deepened cycles of poverty. Cannabis occupies a unique regulatory and historical space. It is simultaneously: 1) A product with reported therapeutic benefit for those suffering from certain medical conditions; 2) A substance historically used to justify disproportionate criminal punishment; 3) Operating only in state-based marketplaces, and 4) A rapidly expanding commercial sector attracting global corporate interest.

The expansion of cannabis commercialization has resulted in massive growth of public relations and policy strategies. Globally, the cannabis market is estimated at $50 billion today, with projections reaching $250-$400 billion by 2030. Apart from cannabis producers, processors, retailers, and interest groups working at the state level, this presentation focused more broadly on the cross-sector, multi-national corporate involvement in cannabis. At the corporate level, there are patterns that can be seen in the approaches taken by cannabis sector actors to influence public policy in ways that reflect strategies used by other sectors, such as tobacco and alcohol companies.

Internal documents from major tobacco companies — published in the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library at UCSF — show that the industry’s interest in cannabis dates back at least to the 1970s. A paper published in 2014, which combed through the tobacco industry documents and the companies’ stated interest in cannabis as both a potential and a rival product, has seemed to be quite predictive, at least based on the tobacco industry’s current and growing interest and investment in cannabis. Altria Group invested $1.8 billion in the Canadian company Cronos Group (45% ownership), which Altria calls an “emerging global cannabinoid company.” On their own website, Altria states that they hold “diversified positions across tobacco and cannabis.” British American Tobacco invested $86.8 million in Organigram (Canada) in 2025, plus ~$70 million in CBD and hemp companies. These investments remain small relative to tobacco’s global footprint in tobacco, nicotine, food, and beverage products — but the trendline is unmistakable. Given cannabis remains Schedule 1 under the United States Uniform Controlled Substances Act, multinational companies are “learning the industry” abroad, gaining operational experience before expanding into the U.S. once legal or regulatory hurdles shift.

Falling cigarette sales in many so-called developed nations in combination with an easing of cannabis restrictions have been clear drivers prompting this shift of their portfolio and positioning. This shift to invest more in cannabis-related products comes with the ability to leverage the tobacco industry’s manufacturing and distribution networks and technological capital and devices; they already have significant experience in inhalation and oral delivery systems, through their growth in vaping devices, new heated tobacco products, and oral nicotine pouch products. There is also a continuing trend of executives from alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries moving in roles within cannabis industries.

As cannabis becomes more profitable and corporatized – potentially both within and across state borders – we may expect certain behaviors to emerge or intensify. It is important to be vigilant and prepared for the ostensible commercial actions that will attempt to maximize profits and minimize costs, as that is an inherent goal to the business model. These patterns are already recognizable from other industries:

Pushing for regulations that disadvantage smaller operators

Efforts that quietly promote monopolization, reduce competition, and crowd out smaller businesses.

Funding research designed to produce favorable outcomes

Or suppressing findings that threaten profits.

Exploiting labor and growers

Both domestically and internationally, especially in regions lacking strong labor protections.

Prioritizing high-profit products at the expense of quality and safety

Particularly harmful for vulnerable populations of consumers.

Undermining education and social-equity aims

Including reducing cannabis taxes that fund health education and reinvestment in communities harmed by the War on Drugs.

Lobbying against evidence-supported public-health regulations

Even when such policies are designed to prevent consumer harm.

Using state-level preemption to block local protections

A well-documented tactic to weaken or delay stronger health regulations.

For policymakers, health leaders, consumers, and communities, it is important to be aware of these potential actions. Similar players that reshaped alcohol, pharmaceutical, food, and tobacco markets are already mapping out and leveraging strategies for cannabis. Understanding strategies that may threaten health – as well as anticipating commercial tactics – are both critical to supporting public health, equity, and safety.

References:

Barry RA, Hiilamo H, Glantz SA. Waiting for the opportune moment: the tobacco industry and marijuana legalization. Milbank Q. 2014 Jun;92(2):207-42. doi: 10.1111/1468-0009.12055. PMID: 24890245; PMCID: PMC4089369.

Ongenaert M, Decorte T. Like birds of a feather? A multi-case study on the connections between cannabis, tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceutical companies in legalized cannabis markets. Int J Drug Policy. 2025 Sep;143:104863. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104863. Epub 2025 Jun 5. PMID: 40479916.

University of Bath, Tobacco Tactics, Cannabis. 31 March 2023. https://www.tobaccotactics.org/article/cannabis/

Altria, About Altria, Corporate Factsheet. https://www.altria.com/about-altria/At_A_Glance/corporate-fact-sheet

ATOD Legal Epidemiology: Comparing Policies Across Jurisdictions | High-Risk Alcohol Retail: Local Data, National Impact (2044.0)

Presenter: Maria Kovell

Sunday, November 2 | 2:30 – 4:00 PM

Ready-to-go alcoholic beverages pose significant public health and safety concerns for young people. The flavoring, packaging, pricing, and marketing of these beverages are particularly appealing to young people and can lead to risky drinking behaviors. Alcohol pricing policies are some of the most effective strategies for reducing alcohol-related harms. However, evaluating these policies requires information on current prices, particularly for products that afford the most alcohol for the lowest price. This presentation highlights insights from the Retail Alcohol Data (RAD) collaborative, which conducted nationwide retail assessments of high-risk alcohol product availability, pricing, and advertising.

Commercial Determinants of Health 2.0 (A collaborative session with International Health section) | The rise of the commercial cannabis industry and its implications for public health (4058.0)

Presenter: Jacob Delbridge

Tuesday, November 4 | 8:30 – 10:00 AM

This presentation component will explore the commercial determinants of health (CDH) as they relate to the cannabis industries sector, examining how marketing strategies, policy advocacy, and other business practices can influence public health impacts. This may include product availability, design, placement, pricing, and key advertising approaches, as well as the influencing of local, state, and federal regulatory authority. Recognizing that cannabis commercialization is relatively young compared to other consumer product industries, and given the distinct social and legal backdrop of cannabis, there remains diverse viewpoints around profit-driven motives and public health responsibilities. Furthermore, U.S. cannabis-related criminalization has deepened cycles of poverty and economic disinvestment and disenfranchisement. Many U.S. communities of color have faced significant harms due to mass incarceration, institutionalized racism, and disproportionately applied enforcement practices. Accordingly, it is important to evaluate the growing yet fragmented rollout of cannabis commercialization and corporatization and its impacts to public health, including on the social drivers of health.

Learn more about the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs section of APHA here.

The report concludes that implementing Tobacco 21 and a statewide tobacco retail permitting system is essential for preventing youth tobacco use and advancing health equity in North Carolina. Tobacco disproportionately affects marginalized communities, where aggressive marketing and retailer density contribute to higher tobacco use rates and worse health outcomes. Raising the minimum legal sales age to 21 has already been shown to decrease youth initiation rates in many places across the country, preventing lifelong addiction and tobacco-related diseases. A strong tobacco retail licensing system will provide essential oversight, ensuring retailers comply with regulations and reduce the prevalence of illegal sales. North Carolina can take a proactive approach to reducing health disparities, ensuring all residents, regardless of income, race, or background, have a fair chance at a healthier future.

Kim Bayha, Tobacco Prevention & Control Supervisor of the Office of Chronic Disease Policy & Prevention, spearheads Mecklenburg County Public Health’s tobacco point-of-sale policy work:

“Mecklenburg County Public Health collaborated with Counter Tools to assess our local retail tobacco environment and collect qualitative data to examine equity-centered impacts of Tobacco-21 and Tobacco Retail Permitting policies. Having access to digital tools and technical assistance from Counter Tools staff was invaluable. They provided training, developed a framework for the Health Equity Impact Assessment and led creation of a comprehensive Tobacco Retail Policy Impact Report and interactive dashboard. We can now use these online products to increase awareness about tobacco industry tactics in our local community and advocate for actions to reduce youth access to tobacco and address tobacco disparities. We could not have done this robust work without them.”

To learn more about this issue, view the executive summary and full report.

View the recording, presentation slides, and more about the RAD Collaborative here.

Day in the Life of an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Colleague: Learning from Each Other (4211.0)

Presenter: Maria Julian

Come chat with ATOD members about their career paths in public health, including nonprofit management.

Helping public health regulators improve retailer compliance with tobacco and vaping control laws (5002.0)

Presenter: Maria Julian

Specialized compliance tools, training, and resources can help public health regulators improve retailers’ adherence to tobacco and vaping control laws. When combined, these tools can be expected to improve retail compliance and reduce demands on enforcement authorities. More importantly, these outcomes can help reduce youth tobacco and nicotine use and initiation.

Learn more about the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs section of APHA here.

The Systems Analyst will be responsible for assisting with product management of all internal and external technology solutions. This role will spend 75% time on Systems Analysis tasks and up to 25% time on Project Management tasks.

If you have…

• Exceptional analysis and problem-solving abilities
• Validated knowledge of a formal system implementation methodology
• SQL query and data analysis skills
• Proven experience managing SaaS software development projects including data migration
• Working experience in Agile (Scrum) teams with software development framework and methodologies
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• A commitment to and passion for Counter Tools’ mission and values
• A genuine interest in place-based public health and health equity for all populations

…we want to hear from you!

Location: This is a remote position. The position will require travel to client-partner states as needed and to Chapel Hill, NC at least once per year. Remote employees must provide internet, phone, and an appropriate place to work while in their remote location of choice.

Salary and benefits: Salary range of $85-100,000; health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, health spending account, paid time off, and a 401K plan.

Download the PDF: Systems Analyst position

To apply, please send your resume, a letter expressing your interest, and IT functional specification document you have authored to Maria Julian at maria@countertools.org. We are reviewing applications and interview qualified candidates on a rolling basis.