Canadian cannabis industry gets ‘C’ average in legalization report card

A new report from the Cannabis Council of Canada, which represents some of the country’s largest licensed producers. The report card was compiled by an expert group upon review of data sets and informed by polling.

Support for legalization: B+

Public support for legalization has remained robust and consistent, the report says, with the percentage of Canadians who oppose the legal industry dropping modestly year- over- year to 24 per cent.

Keeping pot away from children and youth: B+

Citing Statistics Canada, the report states that cannabis use among 15- to 17-yearolds fell by nearly 10 per cent in the first year of legalization.

Government leadership: B+

According to the council’s data, more than 40 per cent of Canadians support Canada taking on a larger position globally in promoting the industry. Less than a quarter of respondents expressed opposition to global market outreach.

Justice and law enforcement: B+

Roughly 85 per cent of Canadians have a strong awareness of the risks associated with driving under the influence of cannabis, according to the report, which notes that communities have broadly accepted, and worked within, the regulations of the Cannabis Act.

Jobs and the economy: C+

The cannabis industry has put down roots in communities across the country, revitalizing some small towns. While it hasn’t always gone as well as hoped, sustained growth in the retail sector has helped offset job loss on the production side.

Consumer awareness: C

One of the challenges the industry has faced is finding a way to reach consumers under the restrictive marketing regulations.

Combatting the illicit market: CAccording

to the report, the legal market accounts for just over 50 per cent of all cannabis- related spending across Canada.

Medical access: D

Unlike other medicines, cannabis is subject to an excise tax, and many medical patients feel they are being pushed toward the unregulated markets in order to afford cannabis products. The report found that the vast majority of Canadians, 70 per cent, support adding medical cannabis to private and public drug plans.

Cannabis amnesty: D

Roughly 70 per cent of Canadians support wiping criminal records for cannabis possession but less than three per cent of Canadians have successfully applied for the Cannabis Record Suspension Program.