August cannabis retail sales in Canada were up 2.64% from the prior month to $453.12 million, an all-time high for 2024. Sales were down only 0.83% compared to the same month last year, according to new Statistics Canada data.
Saskatchewan saw the biggest drop with August sales down almost 18% from July followed by British Columbia at close to 7%. Meanwhile, Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario saw the biggest increases in monthly sales, up 9.62% and 10.96%, respectively.
Similarly, on an annual basis, BC and Saskatchewan saw the biggest drops in sales by 12.46% and 9.87%, respectively. Comparatively, Newfoundland and Labrador led the way with annual sales up 25%, followed by Manitoba with a 12.53% increase.
Prairies
Alberta’s monthly cannabis sales saw a slight increase compared to the previous month (+1.68% to $82.32 million), and increased year-over-year by 4.74%. Both major cities, Calgary and Edmonton, experienced modest growth in monthly cannabis sales compared to the previous month (+0.86% and +2.37%, respectively) and the same month last year (+3.53% and +4.98%).
Manitoba, on the other hand, witnessed a significant increase in monthly cannabis sales, both month-over-month (+4.00% to $19.55 million) and year-over-year (+12.53%). Winnipeg, the capital city, mirrored this trend with even stronger year-over-year growth (+16.13%).
In contrast, Saskatchewan experienced a sharp decline in monthly cannabis sales, both month-over-month (-17.98% to $15.22 million) and year-over-year (-9.87%).
Alberta recently reversed a policy change after incorrectly stating that cannabis sampling could only take place in retail cannabis stores. The AGLC now says that parts of the industry memo were incorrect, and sampling activities can still be conducted in age-gated settings like industry events, not just in retail stores.
In Manitoba, the Canadian Press reported that the provincial government has extended a moratorium on new cannabis retail licences for controlled-access stores like convenience stores and gas stations in urban areas, including Winnipeg. This pause, initially implemented last spring, aims to allow for a thorough review of the industry to ensure adequate safeguards are in place, particularly regarding youth access. The extension will now last until December 1, 2025, and further industry consultation will take place.
Ontario
While Ontario saw an increase in monthly cannabis sales compared to the previous month (+10.96% to $185.25 million), the province experienced a decline year-over-year (-4.59%). Both Ottawa and Toronto, the province’s major cities, saw decreases in sales both month-over-month (-12.83% and -8.49% respectively) and year-over-year (-17.56% and -11.48%).
Ontario’s authorized cannabis stores sold over 21% more cannabis by volume compared to the same period a year before, worth more than $1B in sales, according to a new report from the OCS.
Quebec
While Quebec saw an overall increase in monthly cannabis sales year-over-year (+10.59%), the picture was mixed across different regions. Montreal experienced significant year-over-year growth (+26.61%), while Gatineau and Quebec City saw declines (-7.03% and -6.41%, respectively).
On a monthly basis, August sales in Quebec were down 4.29% from last month to $62.06 million. Similarly, sales dropped from July by 4.28%, 4.29%, and 4.30% in Gatineau, Montreal, and Quebec City, respectively.
British Columbia
While BC experienced a decline in monthly cannabis sales both month-over-month (-6.56% to $65.41 million) and year-over-year (-12.36%) in August, Vancouver bucked the provincial trend. The city saw a significant increase in sales compared to the previous month (+11.70% to $23.63 million) and a modest year-over-year growth (+2.25%).
An illicit store in BC made headlines after being fined over $3.2 million. After five years of compliance and enforcement action by the Community Safety Unit (CSU), the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club Society (VCBC), an illicit medical cannabis dispensary in Victoria, was issued a fine of $3,235,465.74 in October.
Maritimes
Atlantic Canadian provinces experienced growth in monthly cannabis sales in August. New Brunswick and Newfoundland saw double-digit increases both month-over-month (+9.49% and +9.62% respectively) and year-over-year (+11.29% and +25.00%).
Nova Scotia and PEI also recorded positive growth, although at a slightly slower pace, with monthly sales up 4.86% and 3.47%, respectively, and annual sales up 6.52% and 7.77%.
Provincial Sales (x1,000)
Canada: $465,106 (2.64%)
Newfoundland & Labrador: $9,446 (9.62%)
Prince Edward Island: $2,498 (3.57%)
Nova Scotia: $11,310 (4.86%)
New Brunswick: $9,495 (9.49%)
Quebec: $62,058 (-4.29%)
Montreal: $38,353 (-4.29%)
Quebec City: $4,656 (-4.30%)
Gatineau: $1,229 (-4.28%)
Ontario: $185,246 (10.96%)
Toronto: $55,012 (-8.49%)
Ottawa: $16,005 (-12.83%)
Manitoba: $19,549 (4.00%)
Winnipeg: $12,066 (4.00%)
Saskatchewan: $15,217 (-17.98%)
Alberta: $82,316 (1.68%)
Calgary: $22,684 (0.86%)
Edmonton: $27,359 (2.37%)
British Columbia: $65,412 (-6.56%)
Vancouver: $23,631 (11.70%)
Yukon: $1,383 (4.06%)
Source: Statistics Canada