When Canada legalized cannabis in 2018, I remember thinking: “Finally, a chance to do it right.” I was working with a small dispensary in British Columbia back then, helping them navigate Health Canada’s requirements. There was a lot of excitement and a lot of confusion. But one thing was clear: people wanted access. Fair, safe, affordable access.
In 2024, Canada’s legal cannabis market saw significant growth, with total sales reaching C$5.37 billion, up 4.0% from the previous year. December alone hit a record high, pulling in nearly C$500 million in legal cannabis sales across the country.
As of January 2024, over 3,600 legal recreational cannabis storefronts were operating nationwide. But store access remains uneven. Quebec, for instance, had just 0.8 stores per 100,000 residents, while Alberta boasted 19.7 more than 20 times as many.
This article will unpack what’s really going on, why so many Canadians are pushing back, and what it means for the future of cannabis in Canada.
A Quick Legal Recap
Canada legalized recreational cannabis under the Cannabis Act in 2018. The federal government sets the rules around things like advertising, packaging, and product categories. But provinces? They get to decide how cannabis is distributed and sold—including whether online sales are controlled by the government or opened to private retailers.
That’s where the divide starts.
- Quebec, PEI, and New Brunswick: Government-run stores and websites only.
- Alberta and Saskatchewan: Fully privatized models.
- Ontario and BC: Somewhere in between private retail stores, but online sales are still government-controlled.
This mix of models creates real tension not just politically, but for people trying to shop.
Why the Monopoly Approach is Under Fire
Provinces claim their government-run systems are safer and better at keeping cannabis away from minors. That’s fair. But let’s be real, consumers aren’t thrilled.
A buddy of mine, Tyler, lives in Montreal. He’s a long-time medicinal user turned recreational consumer. “I just want to order from my favorite dispensary online,” he told me. “But I can’t. SQDC (Quebec’s cannabis authority) is the only option and they barely stock what I’m looking for.”
He’s not alone. In monopoly provinces:
- There are fewer stores per capita. Quebec has about 0.8 stores per 100,000 people. Alberta? Over 19.7.
- Selection is often limited. Many craft growers don’t get shelf space.
- Prices aren’t always competitive, especially compared to the black market.
And that brings us to the elephant in the room.
Alberta’s Plan For Online Cannabis Monopoly Challenged By Privacy Concerns, Illegal Competition
Jason says he’s been rolling up prime cannabis buds ordered effortlessly online for recreational use for months.
Summoning strains with names like Golden Goat delivered reliably to his Calgary door under the radar is something he won’t give up, despite the Alberta government’s plans to monopolize internet-ordered pot once legalization arrives Oct. 17.
To him, it’s about protecting his privacy as much as anything.
“I don’t see any reasons why the government needs to be a repository of my personal information, to know my personal habits,” said Jason, not his real name.
“I just don’t see people lining up to the government to fulfill their needs … I don’t know anyone who would.”
He noted that to purchase alcohol, there’s no requirement to provide the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) basic personal information that’s needed to qualify for online marijuana purchases on the agency’s website.
“If it’s legal, it’s legal — they don’t do that with booze,” said Jason.
Privacy concerns are only one challenge facing the AGLC as it gears up to begin handling the online sale of cannabis in the province, while curbside business will be the realm of private operators.
The Black Market Isn’t Gone And Monopolies May Be Fueling It
According to Forbes, nearly 72% of cannabis users now buy from legal sources a big improvement. But that means 28% still don’t (source).
Why? It comes down to price, convenience, and access.
If you live in a remote area of Quebec or PEI and can’t visit a store, your only legal option is to order from a government website. But if it’s clunky, understocked, or slow to ship? People go elsewhere.
And unfortunately, “elsewhere” often means unregulated sellers.
A Case Study in Private Online Sales
In March 2022, Alberta became the first province to allow fully private online cannabis sales. It was a game changer. Retailers could finally compete online. Customers had more choices. And surprise: no major safety issues were reported.
Since the change:
- Online competition increased.
- Customer satisfaction scores improved.
- Small businesses finally got a piece of the digital pie.
A retailer in Edmonton said, “It finally feels like we’re playing on the same field. We can grow, advertise (within limits), and build loyalty with our customers.”
Retail and Consumer Behavior: Trends Worth Watching
- Record Monthly Sales: In December 2024, legal cannabis sales in Canada reached C$499.7 million (source).
- Consumer awareness is rising: 63% of users in 2024 reported seeing health warnings, up from 55% in 2019 (source).
- Storefronts growing fast: Over 3,600 legal cannabis stores in Canada as of early 2024 (source).
- Retail disparities matter: Quebec’s limited retail access vs Alberta’s abundance (source).
Updated Cannabis Industry Snapshot: 2019 vs. 2024 - To understand how far the cannabis market has come and why it’s such a strategic opportunity for Canada Post—here’s a quick comparison of key metrics between 2019 and 2024.
| Metric | 2019 | 2024 |
| Total Cannabis Sales (Billion CAD) | C$2.6B | C$5.37B |
| Monthly Peak Sales (Million CAD) | C$146M | C$499.7M |
| Consumer Awareness of Health Warnings (%) | 55% | 63% |
| Illicit Market Share (%) | 45% | 28% |
| Retail Store Count (Canada) | 700 stores | 3,600 stores |
| Retail Density – Quebec (per 100k people) | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Retail Density – Alberta (per 100k people) | 16.0 | 19.7 |
| Legal Market Share (%) | 48% | 72% |
As someone who’s worked on both the regulatory and retail sides, I believe in the power of a well-regulated market. But I also believe in choice. Right now, some provinces are doing a better job than others at balancing safety with access.
If we want to move forward, we need to support systems that protect public health without limiting freedom.
At CheapWeed.io, we’ve always believed that cannabis consumers deserve more selection, more control, and more respect. And we’ll keep fighting for that future. Explore our wide range of quality cannabis products today or get in touch our team is here to help you find exactly what you need.
Recreationl or Medicinal. Either way you provide us with Quality, Savings and most of all very good advice. Id much prefer myself to do my buisness with an experienced and caring provider over a government based agency. Your #1 and however we need to support you back we will. Thanks. Much Love.