Canadian cannabis sales rebounded to $405.54 million in March, up 11.3% from the previous month and 12.88% from the same period last year. After declines in January and February, all Canadian provinces and territories saw an increase in sales in March.
This is the second time cannabis sales have surpassed $400 million in Canada. The first time was in December 2022 when sales hit a record $425.87 million.
Prairies
Alberta had the second highest sales in Canada hitting $72.35 million in March, up 11.23% from February. Sales in Calgary were $19.99 million, up 10.97% from February. Edmonton’s retail sales were $24.28 million, up 11.41% from the prior month.
The other prairie provinces also saw increases. Sales were up 10.56% in Manitoba to $15.86 million and up 9.15% in Winnipeg to $9.59 million. Saskatchewan saw a smaller increase of 7.0% to $18.71 million.
Ontario
Sales in Canada’s largest province were up 11.97% to $158.83 million in March—the highest sales in the country. Toronto saw a similar increase of 10.97% to $52.43 million, while Ottawa saw the largest increase of all the provinces and territories—up 19.97% to $14.29 million.
Last month, Ontario’s third largest city, Mississauga, overturned its ban on cannabis stores. As of May 24, 2023, the city has received 13 license applications—seven are in progress and six are in public notice period.
Quebec
Second to the Yukon, Quebec saw the biggest increase in sales. Cannabis sales were up 12.58% in March to $50.74 million. This is after Quebec experienced the biggest drop in Canada with sales down 9% in February from $49.52 million to $45.07 million.
The province’s biggest cities saw similar sizeable increases. Sales in Montreal were $27.60 million, up 12.81% from the prior month. Quebec’s sales were $4.65 million, up 15.61% from February. Sales in Gatineau were $1.27 million, up 11.39% from February.
British Columbia
British Columbia had the third highest sales in Canada, surpassed by Alberta and Ontario, and reached a record high of $63.4 million. Sales were up 10.93% in Vancouver to $20.48 million.
Despite increasing sales, the price per gram of cannabis has gone down 10% in BC according to the BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s recent BC Cannabis Wholesale Quarterly Report. Retailers in the province are also anticipating a number of regulatory changes, including the possibility of cannabis consumption spaces and changes to the retail license cap.
Maritimes
Sales were up across the board in the Maritimes. Newfoundland and Labrador hit $6.10 million in cannabis sales in March, after a drop to $5.61 million in February.
New Brunswick saw a small increase in sales of 1.48% to $6.22 million. The province could see its first privately-owned cannabis stores open in June with additional stores opening throughout the summer.
Sales were up by 12.24% and 11.80% in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia to $1.91 million and $9.48 million respectively.
Provincial Sales (x1,000)
Canada: $405,540 (11.32%)
Newfoundland & Labrador: $6,101 (8.85%)
Prince Edward Island: $1,908 (12.24%)
Nova Scotia: $9.481 (11.80%)
New Brunswick: $6,220 (1.48%)
Quebec: $50,737 (12.58%)
Montreal: $27,597 (12.81%)
Quebec City: $4,652 (15.61%)
Gatineau: $1,271 (11.39%)
Ontario: $158,832 (11.97%)
Toronto: $52,425 (10.97%)
Ottawa: $14,293 (19.97%)
Manitoba: $15,862 (10.56%)
Winnipeg: $9,594 (9.15%)
Saskatchewan: $18,709 (7.00%)
Alberta: $72,345 (11.23%)
Calgary: $19,987 (10.97%)
Edmonton: $24,284 (11.41%)
British Columbia: $63,410 (11.49%)
Vancouver: $20,484 (10.93%)
Yukon: $925 (17.39%)
Source: Statistics Canada