A majority of Canadians consider the marijuana industry to be an important part of the country’s economy—and they also expect to see the market play an even greater role in the future—according to a new survey.
Abacus Data conducted a poll commissioned from the Canadian cannabis company Organigram Global. The survey examined attitudes about the industry 10 years on after Canada legalized adult-use marijuana.
It’s a significant contributor to the Canadian economy.
In addition, 64 percent of respondents said that, in light of the upcoming federal elections, they would like to see steps taken by the new administration to promote the growth of the cannabis industry.
The polling firm noted that the “warmth toward government support of the cannabis industry also spans the political spectrum,” as majorities of every major party in the country—from Liberals (68 percent) to Conservatives (64 percent)—said they were open to having the government bolster the cannabis industry.
“Canadians want their country to thrive through innovative, homegrown industries—and cannabis is firmly on that list,” Beena Goldenberg, CEO of Organigram, said in a press release. The message of Canadians to the next prime minister is very clear. He must eliminate barriers, support industries that create jobs and growth and ensure economic resilience.
In this regard, a recent study that looked back at Justin Trudeau’s legacy found that his involvement in the legalization of marijuana, which he passed into law in 2018, is his most popular accomplishment. The reform was hailed by 52 percent of those surveyed as an administration success.
In the most recent poll, 1 915 Canadian adults aged 18 and over were interviewed between April 3-8. The margin of error for this poll is 2.34 percentage points.
What does this all mean for Canadians as they head to the voting booths to elect a new federal government? First, it underscores the remarkably broad-based support—and, in fact, more intense support than opposition—for efforts to strengthen the legal cannabis sector,” Abacus Data said.
It said that “given the ongoing problems with global trade, and the unpredictable nature of the U.S. Administration, building up an industry such as cannabis would be a wise strategy to protect our economy against external shocks.”
This survey also described how the administration can support the cannabis sector. It could, for example, seek to “remove the interprovincial barrier on cannabis sales” and reform the taxation system.
“Governments can offer competitive tax or financing programs aimed at cannabis entrepreneurs—particularly in areas hard hit by economic downturns in traditional sectors,” it said. This would expand the opportunities for cultivation, processing and retail in areas that are looking to diversify their economy.
Since the beginning of Donald Trump’s term, US and Canada relations have been strained, despite their historic relationship. Mark Carney, the Liberal Party’s Canadian prime minister, has not been afraid to criticize the U.S. President amid the imposition major tariffs against Canadian goods.
The industry’s political action group (PAC) has recently capitalized on Trump’s apparent hostility to Canada by releasing a commercial that emphasizes the fact that American cannabis companies are at a disadvantage to their neighboring country because of prohibition.
It claimed that “Democrats are not helping” when Canada attacks American cannabis companies. Washington, however, treats medical cannabis the same way it does heroin. This means that American companies are not allowed to conduct any research or trade on the stock market, while Canadian firms do.
While there were some hiccups in the implementation of Canada’s cannabis program, many studies and surveys indicate that overall, it has been successful. The program achieved the majority of its goals, including giving Canadians an alternative, safer, and more regulated market to the illicit one, while not driving up youth consumption like prohibitionists predicted.
According to a government report released in December, the vast majority of Canadian consumers now say they obtain cannabis legally, with only 3 percent of respondents reporting purchasing from illicit sources.
Observers have also been watching how broader adult-use legalization impacts medical marijuana in Canada, noting, for example, patient enrollment rates declining after legalization was enacted but before retailers opened for business.
A study earlier this year, meanwhile, found similar marijuana use rates and support for legalization in both the U.S. and Canada despite the countries’ different national approaches to regulating the drug.
Another report out of Canada this year found marijuana legalization was “associated with a decline in beer sales,” suggesting a substitution effect where consumers shift from one product to the other.
A separate study last year found that the proportion of high-school students who said marijuana was easy to obtain has fallen in recent years.
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