Canadian cannabis retail sales are on the rise once again, up 7.6% in March 2024 to $414.12 million, according to new Statistics Canada data. February sales were revised higher to $386.81 million. Despite this increase, sales in March 2024 were slightly lower than the same time last year, down 0.26% from March 2023.
All provinces saw an increase in monthly sales, with Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Yukon seeing the biggest changes in March 2024. On an annual basis, sales in Ontario and British Columbia have dropped since March 2023, while the Yukon, Manitoba, and Newfoundland saw notable increases.
Prairies
Cannabis sales in western Canada rose in March compared to both the previous month and last year.
Saskatchewan sales were up 15.46% from February and 5.69% from March of last year, reaching $16.41 million.
Alberta sales increased by 6.44% from the prior month and 5.88% year-over-year to $76.71 million. Alberta’s two biggest cities, Calgary and Edmonton, also saw growth in March. Calgary sales were $21.25 million, up 7.04% from February and 6.16% from last year. Edmonton sales reached $26.22 million, up 8.53% from the prior month and 7.80% year-over-year.
Manitoba saw a 15.45% month-over-month increase and a 19.92% jump compared to March 2023, with sales reaching $19.31 million. Winnipeg followed suit, with sales reaching $11.79 million, up 15.45% from last month and 21.03% from last year.
Ontario
Interestingly, Ontario, Canada’s most populated province, saw a different picture. While March sales were slightly higher than February at $150.43 million, they were down 11.78% compared to March 2023. This decline was consistent across the province, including major cities like Toronto and Ottawa. Monthly cities in both cities increased by 3.22% but dropped by 11.78% annually.
Quebec
Following the trend of western Canada, Quebec also saw growth in cannabis sales during March. The province reached $59.38 million in sales, reflecting a 13.08% increase from February and a significant 16.58% jump from March 2023.
This growth was mirrored in the province’s major cities. Quebec City’s sales rose 24.80% from the previous month and an impressive 31.3% year-over-year, reaching $6.13 million. Gatineau, another major Quebec city, experienced similar growth with a 24.80% month-over-month increase and a substantial 48.90% jump compared to March 2023, bringing sales to $1.90 million.
Montreal also saw growth with sales reaching $29.06 million in March. This represents a modest 3.0% increase from February but a more solid 4.86% year-over-year increase.
British Columbia
British Columbia’s cannabis market showed mixed results in March. While sales reached $62.15 million, a 6.81% increase from February, they fell slightly short of last year’s numbers, dipping 1.42% compared to March 2023. This trend was even more pronounced in Vancouver, the province’s largest city. Vancouver sales climbed 18.6% from the prior month but ultimately fell 2.42% year-over-year, reaching $20.02 million.
Maritimes
Atlantic Canada saw growth in cannabis sales during March. Nova Scotia led the pack with sales reaching $10.03 million, reflecting a 7.19% increase from February and a 5.83% jump from March 2023.
Prince Edward Island (PEI) and New Brunswick followed suit, with PEI reaching $2.07 million in sales (up 8.44% month-over-month and year-over-year) and New Brunswick reaching $7.71 million (up 9.67% from February and 11.53% from March 2023).
Newfoundland sales also climbed in March, reaching $7.57 million. This represents a 6.98% increase from the previous month and a significant 21.55% jump compared to March 2023.
Provincial Sales (x1,000)
Canada $414,115 (7.06%)
Newfoundland & Labrador $7,574 (6.98%)
Prince Edward Island $2,069 (8.44%)
Nova Scotia $10,034 (7.19%)
New Brunswick $7,710 (9.67%)
Quebec $59,379 (13.08%)
Montreal $29,058 (3.00%)
Quebec City $6,129 (24.80%)
Gatineau $1,897 (24.80%)
Ontario $150,426 (3.22%)
Toronto $48,144 (3.22%)
Ottawa $15,041 (3.22%)
Manitoba $19,308 (15.45%)
Winnipeg $11,790 (15.45%)
Saskatchewan $16,410 (15.46%)
Alberta $76,711 (6.44%)
Calgary $21,254 (7.04%)
Edmonton $26,219 (8.53%)
British Columbia $62,151 (6.81%)
Vancouver $20,015 (18.60%)
Yukon $1,107 (14.36%)
Source: Statistics Canada