Canada's cannabis retail expansion changed use patterns more through falling prices than store count

Panel data analysis of 50 province-year observations found no significant changes in prevalence among males or those aged 16-24, and no change in daily use proportions. Prevalence among females and people aged 25+ increased, with negative associations with prices but not store counts. Dried cannabis use decreased while edibles use increased, also associated with prices but not stores. Mean initial age of use increased and was negatively associated with prices but positively with stores.

Government data on store counts, retail pricing, and cannabis use across 10 Canadian provinces over 5 years (2019-2023). Panel data linear regressions analyzed 50 province-year aggregated observations.

Policymakers often focus on limiting store numbers to control cannabis use, but this Canadian data suggests price is the more influential lever. Store proliferation had surprisingly little association with use changes, while falling prices drove both who uses and how they consume.

Canada's experience with a massive legal cannabis retail expansion (accompanied by falling prices and diversifying products) provides a real-world test of how market dynamics shape use patterns. The finding that price matters more than access points has implications for taxation and pricing policy globally.

Ecological study using aggregated province-year data cannot capture individual-level relationships. Five-year window may not capture full maturation of the legal market. Self-reported use data may underestimate actual consumption. Cannot separate price effects from product quality improvements.