Despite the ups and downs faced by the cannabis industry this year, sales continue to rise month after month. Sales jumped just over 4% in May, from $178.4 million in April to $185.8 million, the highest they’ve ever been, according to Statistics Canada.
Numbers all across the country are steadily rising, some faster than others.
Alberta, the province with the largest number of stores also had the highest sales of any province taking around 1/4 of all sales, boasting a total of $46.2 million, up approximately $4 million from April.
British Columbia saw a similar boost in sales, up from $23.8 million to $27.1 million. In recent months, BC has seen an uptick in both public and private stores, and it shows in their increased sales.
The Maritime Provinces and the Territories show gradual growth as businesses and services began to open up again. PEI Cannabis took a major hit to their earnings during the pandemic while their doors remained closed in March and April, but once they re-opened, sales skyrocketed from $435,000 in April to $575,000 in May.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan held their places in the middle, bringing in $6.9 million and $10.6 million respectively.
Ontario and Quebec, however, seem to be stalling out. Sales in Ontario rose by only 2%, from $40.2 million to $41.1 million, seemingly due to the lack of retail stores outside of major city centres. Quebec’s sales declined by 6%, from $41 million to $38.5 million, likely due to the province’s ban on cannabis vaporizers and regulations on edibles.
May Retail Sales x 1,000
Canada – 185,897
Alberta – 46,280
Ontario – 41,134
Quebec – 38,532
BC – 27,136
Saskatchewan – 10,608
Manitoba – 6,936
Nova Scotia – 5,861
New Brunswick – 5,140
Nwfd & Labrador – 2,796
Yukon – 581
PEI – 575
NWT – 318
Source: Statistics Canada