Money, Weed, and Sex: Decoding the Motivations of Gen Zs and Millennials

For stakeholders across industries, from corporate leaders to educators and policymakers, these cohorts represent both a challenge and an opportunity. While their motivations are multifaceted, three powerful forces stand out as key drivers: money, weed, and sex. Far from being superficial obsessions, these elements reveal deep-seated priorities, struggles, and aspirations that shape how these generations navigate the world in 2025. This article dives into each, exploring their significance and what they mean for engaging these dynamic demographics.

Money is more than a transactional tool for Millennials and Gen Zs—it’s a lifeline, a symbol of autonomy, and a means to carve out a life on their own terms. Millennials entered adulthood amid the 2008 financial crisis, a seismic event that left them grappling with stagnant wages, ballooning student debt, and a gig economy that replaced the promise of stable careers with precarious freelancing. According to the Federal Reserve, the average Millennial carried $28,000 in student debt by their mid-30s, a burden that reshaped their financial priorities. This generation learned to hustle—whether through side gigs, Etsy shops, or early investments in volatile markets like cryptocurrency.

Gen Zs, observing their predecessors’ struggles, took the hustle to new heights. A 2024 Deloitte survey found that 54% of Gen Zs aspire to launch their own businesses, rejecting the corporate ladder for the unpredictability of entrepreneurship. Social media platforms have become their proving grounds: TikTok dances, YouTube tutorials, and OnlyFans subscriptions have turned personal talents into profit streams. For both generations, the rise of the “creator economy” has blurred the boundaries between work and identity, with influencers and streamers raking in millions while traditional 9-to-5 jobs lose appeal.

Yet, the pursuit of money is shadowed by persistent economic anxiety. Housing costs have soared—Zillow reports the median U.S. home price hit $420,000 in 2025—while inflation continues to erode purchasing power. For Millennials, now in their 30s and 40s, homeownership feels like a distant dream; for Gen Zs, it’s a fantasy they’ve largely abandoned in favor of renting or van-life minimalism. Money, then, isn’t just about wealth accumulation—it’s about survival in a system that feels stacked against them. Stakeholders must recognize this drive as a call for flexibility, offering innovative compensation models or financial literacy programs to meet these generations where they are.

Cannabis has evolved from a fringe indulgence to a cultural juggernaut for Gen Zs and Millennials, reflecting their values of self-care, social justice, and defiance. By 2025, the global legal cannabis market is valued at over $30 billion, with young adults at the forefront of its growth. For Millennials, weed carries a nostalgic weight—think hazy college nights or early adulthood experiments. It’s also a salve for the burnout that defines their overworked, underpaid reality. A 2023 Gallup poll found that 65% of Millennials use cannabis at least occasionally, often citing stress relief as the primary reason.

Gen Zs, however, have reframed weed as a lifestyle choice. Raised in an era of legalization—over 20 U.S. states and numerous countries have fully legalized recreational use by 2025—they see it as both a wellness tool and a political statement. CBD-infused products, from lattes to skincare, cater to their focus on mental health, while THC microdosing promises clarity amid the chaos of constant connectivity. A 2024 Pew Research study revealed that 70% of adults under 35 support legalization, tying it to broader issues like racial equity, given the disproportionate impact of past drug laws on marginalized communities.

This isn’t just about getting high—it’s about agency. Weed offers an escape from a world of climate crises, political polarization, and digital overload. For Gen Zs, it’s a middle finger to outdated taboos; for Millennials, it’s a reclaiming of downtime in a hustle-obsessed culture. Businesses have taken note, with cannabis brands targeting young consumers through sleek marketing and influencer partnerships. Stakeholders should see this as an opportunity to align with these generations’ values—whether through destigmatizing workplace policies or investing in the booming cannabis sector.

Sex, for Gen Zs and Millennials, is a fluid, multifaceted force that defies traditional boundaries. Millennials kicked off the modern sexual revolution, ushering in hookup culture with the advent of dating apps like Tinder and Bumble in the early 2010s. What began as a quest for convenience evolved into a reimagining of relationships, with casual encounters becoming as normalized as long-term partnerships. By 2025, this generation—now settling into middle age—balances those early freedoms with a growing desire for stability, though often on unconventional terms like cohabitation over marriage.

Gen Zs have taken this evolution further, embracing a spectrum of identities and expressions. A 2023 Kinsey Institute report found that 1 in 5 Gen Zs identify as LGBTQ+, a stark contrast to older generations, reflecting a rejection of rigid norms. Polyamory, asexuality, and pansexuality are no longer niche—they’re mainstreamed through TikTok confessionals and Netflix dramas. Sex isn’t just physical; it’s digital, with sexting, virtual relationships, and even AI-driven companionship filling gaps left by a hyper-online existence. Platforms like Discord and Twitch have birthed communities where intimacy thrives without touch.

Yet, beneath this liberation lies a paradox: both generations crave connection amid rising loneliness. The 2024 Cigna Loneliness Index reported that 61% of Gen Zs and 54% of Millennials feel isolated despite their digital networks. Mental health struggles—exacerbated by pandemics, economic stress, and social media—amplify the need for closeness, whether through fleeting hookups or soul-baring conversations. Sex, then, is a currency of authenticity, a way to feel seen in a world of filters and facades. Stakeholders in education, healthcare, and media must address this duality, fostering environments that support both freedom and emotional well-being.

Money, weed, and sex aren’t mere indulgences—they’re windows into the psyche of Gen Zs and Millennials. Money reflects their fight for independence in an unstable economy; weed embodies their quest for peace and defiance; sex reveals their hunger for identity and connection. These drivers signal a broader shift toward agency, resilience, and a rejection of outdated systems. For stakeholders, the takeaway is clear: adapt or be left behind. Employers might offer flexible work models and mental health resources; marketers could lean into authenticity and social causes; policymakers should prioritize economic relief and progressive reforms. These generations aren’t just shaping trends—they’re rewriting the rules of engagement for decades to come. Understanding them starts with meeting them where they stand: at the intersection of ambition, escape, and intimacy.