Cannabis Legalization in Canada Is a Success, with 95% Cannabis Bought from Legal Sources

Canada was one of the first countries in the world to fully legalize cannabis in October 2018. Since then, the cannabis market has undergone a real transformation, and the results of the latest Health Canada report show how effectively legalization has reduced the share of illegal sources in marijuana purchases.

As of 2024 , only 5% of Canadian cannabis consumers use non-regular sources, down from 16% in 2019. These changes are not only proof of the success of regulation, but also an example for other countries considering legalization.

Legalization of cannabis in Canada – key moments

The legalization of cannabis in Canada in 2018 was a groundbreaking event that opened the door to a new era of cannabis market regulation. At the beginning of the process, many experts expressed concerns about whether the legal changes would actually reduce the grey zone. However, after just a few years, clear effects can be observed:

2018 : Legalization introduced the first online stores and platforms where consumers could legally purchase cannabis products.
2019 : A year later, 37% of users reported purchasing from legal sources, but 16% still used illegal suppliers.
2024 : After six years of legalization, the number of users using legal sources has increased to 72%, while the share of illegal purchases has dropped to just 5%.

This success is the result of coordinated government action, which included both educational campaigns and the expansion of product availability in legal points of sale. Regulations guaranteeing high product quality and safety also played an important role.

Where do Canadians get their cannabis?

The modern cannabis market in Canada is dominated by legal distribution channels. Here is a breakdown of where Canadians get their products:

Legal sources : Stationary and online stores, which account for as much as 72% of purchases.
Social sources : Friends and family account for 15% of transactions.
Own cultivation : 5% of consumers choose to grow their own produce or use products grown on their behalf.
Indigenous communities : 2% of users choose stores located in indigenous communities that operate outside the official licensing system.

The most important factors influencing consumer choices are convenience of shopping, product safety and the desire to comply with the law. Interestingly, for 30% of consumers, easy availability and convenience are the key reasons for choosing legal sources, even ahead of price (23%).

Trends in cannabis use in Canada

In addition to changes in purchasing methods, the Canadian cannabis market has also experienced significant changes in consumption methods:

Decline in cannabis smoking: In 2018, 89% of users smoked marijuana. In 2024, that number dropped to 69%, indicating growing health awareness among consumers.

The Rise in Popularity of Edibles and Vaporization:

THC- containing foods (edibles) have gained popularity, with their consumption increasing from 43% in 2018 to 57% in 2024.
Vaping has also become more popular, reaching a 37% share of consumption methods.
Stabilization of the number of regular users :
Six per cent of Canadians use marijuana daily or almost daily, a stable percentage compared to 2018.
17% of users reported using marijuana in the last 30 days.

These data show that legalization has not only affected the way Canadians buy marijuana, but also their approach to consumption. Awareness of the various forms of marijuana use is growing, and smoking, while still popular, is declining in importance.

Social consequences of legalization: Reduction of the grey zone

One of the greatest successes of Canadian cannabis legalization is the effective reduction of illegal market activity. The decrease in the share of illegal purchases from 16% in 2019 to just 3% in 2024 is proof of the effectiveness of the introduced regulations. Thanks to this, consumers have access to safe, controlled products, and the state budget benefits from taxing the industry.

Consumer safety

Legalizing cannabis has significantly improved consumer safety:

Product Testing : All legal products in Canada are tested for contaminants such as heavy metals and mold , eliminating the risks of consuming illegal products.

Growing Awareness : Consumers are becoming more aware of the effects of THC on the body and the differences between edibles, oils, and dried herbs. The increase in education about hemp products translates into a more responsible approach to consumption.

The number of people driving under the influence of marijuana has decreased from 27% in 2018 to 18% in 2024. This is the result of effective educational campaigns and increased awareness of the risks associated with driving under the influence of marijuana.

Legalization introduced additional barriers, such as the age of majority requirement, which resulted in an increase in the average age of initiation of marijuana consumption from 18.9 years in 2018 to 20.7 years in 2024. This is a significant achievement that protects young people from early contact with the psychoactive substance.

Comparison with other substances: Risk perception

In Canada, cannabis is seen as less harmful than tobacco or alcohol. A 2024 study shows that:

77% of respondents consider regular smoking or vaping cannabis to be risky.
By comparison, 94% consider smoking to be risky, and 85% have a similar opinion about alcohol.

Impact on the alcohol and tobacco market

The legalization of cannabis in Canada has influenced changes in the consumption of other substances:

Alcohol : Declining sales of beer and other alcoholic beverages suggest that some consumers are turning to cannabis as an alternative.

Tobacco : The use of tobacco in combination with marijuana is increasing, which may pose a challenge to health policies.

Selected Challenges and Criticisms

After five years of rapid growth, cannabis sales in Canada are starting to stabilize. The industry must look for new ways to attract customers, such as innovative products or greater availability in smaller communities.

Despite the success of legalization, First Nations communities have limited access to legal products. Stores operating in their areas are often unregulated, which can lead to inequalities in access to high-quality products.

While most consumers report no negative impacts from cannabis on their lives, 5% to 10% report problems such as difficulty concentrating or socializing. This data highlights the need for further education and support for users.

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(Featured image by Terrance Barksdale via Pexels)

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First published in FaktyKonopne. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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