Among 15,311 Canadian cannabis consumers surveyed 2019-2021, legal sourcing rates differed substantially across product types, provinces, and frequency of use, with dried flower more commonly sourced legally than edibles or concentrates.
Cannabis market regulators, product category analysts, and legalization policy researchers.
Dried flower sourced legally more often than edibles or concentrates
What the researchers found
Legal sourcing varied by product type (dried flower sourced legally more often than edibles or concentrates), by province, and by use frequency. Frequent users were less likely to source legally than occasional users.
Why it matters
Canada's legalization aimed to move consumers to the legal market, but the transition is uneven across products. Understanding which products lag in legal sourcing helps regulators target interventions.
The numbers in context
15,311 consumers surveyed. 10 cannabis product categories examined. Dried flower had higher legal sourcing rates than edibles or concentrates. Frequent users sourced less legally than occasional users.
How the study worked
Repeat cross-sectional survey of 15,311 past-12-month cannabis consumers in Canada from the International Cannabis Policy Study (2019-2021). Examined legal sourcing across 10 cannabis product categories.
What this study cannot tell us
Self-reported purchasing sources. Cannot verify legal vs. illegal classification. Online panel may not represent all cannabis consumers. Market conditions evolved rapidly during the study period.
How to read the evidence
Large repeat cross-sectional survey with detailed product-level analysis. Online panel and self-report are limitations.
When this study was published
Published 2023. Data from 2019-2021.
The bigger picture
Edibles and concentrates were legalized later in Canada (October 2019, one year after dried flower). Supply chain maturation, pricing, and product variety in the legal market all affect whether consumers make the switch from illegal sources.
Questions still open
- Why are frequent users less likely to buy legally? Is it price, quantity limits, or product preferences? What interventions would increase legal sourcing for edibles and concentrates?
Common questions
Do Canadians buy all their cannabis legally?
Why would someone buy illegal cannabis in a legal state?
Read the original research
Legal sourcing of ten cannabis products in the Canadian cannabis market, 2019-2021: a repeat cross-sectional study.
Harm reduction journal, 20(1), 19
Citation
Wadsworth, Elle; Rynard, Vicki; Driezen, Pete; Freeman, Tom P; Rychert, Marta; Wilkins, Chris; Hall, Wayne; Gabrys, Robert; Hammond, David. (2023). Legal sourcing of ten cannabis products in the Canadian cannabis market, 2019-2021: a repeat cross-sectional study.. Harm reduction journal, 20(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-023-00753-6