Since the legalization of recreational cannabis use in 2018, the cannabis industry in Canada has grown rapidly. It saw a growth rate of 118 percent in 2020, and it is projected to grow by another 60 percent in 2021. The sales increased from $1.2 billion in 2019 to $2.6 billion in 2020. The growth wasn’t just in sales but also in market expansion.
There were more physical dispensaries, especially in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. The online market also got bigger. It is easier now to find dispensaries in Canada than when it first started. If you’re looking to find dispensaries easily, you should consider Alberta and the above-listed regions.
Alberta has over 500 dispensaries serving 4.4 million people. That’s 13.5 stores for every 100,000 people. Ontario has 611 dispensaries serving 14.8 million people, that is, four stores serving every 100,000 people.
Even if you aren’t in one of these regions with many dispensaries available, you can purchase them online and have them delivered to you. Products include CBD oils, tinctures, edibles, concentrates, vapes and get them within a day, depending on your location.
Canadian Recreational Dispensaries
To plant, process, or sell cannabis a license is needed. A federal license issued by Health of Canada must be obtained before a dispensary can be operational. To find a dispensary or be sure they have a license, you can check the licensed list of sellers. Dispensaries sell a variety of products which you should find displayed when you step into any.
Aside from the vapes, pre-rolls, flowers, tinctures, CBD oils, you should find a dispensary manager or sales attendant who will guide you should you need help. While going to a dispensary, a valid government ID will be required. Most dispensaries offer Mail Order Marijuana, an express delivery system where your product is delivered to your home.
The largest amount of cannabis you can buy in a dispensary is 30 grams. The price varies for different products. However, the average price is $12.14 per gram. Quebec has the lowest price of $8.43 per gram, and Yukon had the highest price at $14.11 per gram. Ontario has a price range of $6.75 to $33.95 per gram.
Provinces and municipalities have autonomy over retail and distribution. Some municipalities choose to opt out of the province’s regulation. One such case is Mississauga, the municipality city council voted against having a dispensary within the city. This means finding a dispensary in Mississauga has to be online.
Smoke Lounges and Cafes
As of this moment, no province has a smoke lounge and cafe in Canada. However, Ontario has taken a huge step in that direction by carrying out an online consultation with stakeholders. The feedback is mixed; health and educational practitioners are against the idea. The business sector sees it as an opportunity to expand an already booming market.
You can smoke publicly in Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, and Quebec. In Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, you can only smoke privately.
In the places that permit public smoking, there are still regulations to look out for. It is prohibited in cars, around children, or where tobacco is restricted.
Ordering Cannabis Online
To buy cannabis online in Canada, the individual must be age 18 and above. It will also require the individual to present a government ID, proof of age, credit card, Canadian address, and a signature on delivery.
Purchasing cannabis online saves the time and effort required to search and go to a physical store. With ordering online, there’s less conversation since you know what you need. You can also shop anywhere or anytime. There are no restrictions like closing hours with physical dispensaries.
Online dispensaries also have a wide variety of products compared to physical dispensaries that will often order the most in-demand product and stock low on others. Online dispensaries, on the other hand, have larger stores. Online stores offer better prices and discounts to attract more customers.
Online dispensaries protect your privacy. You don’t have to walk into a store where anyone can identify you. Online dispensaries are committed to delivering on time. They understand that a customer’s positive review will improve their rating and acceptability.
Online Dispensaries to the Rescue
Finding a dispensary is easier in some areas than the others because of the number of dispensaries those territories have. In contrast, some don’t have any at all, for example, Mississauga. However, finding a dispensary in Mississauga is now possible through the bricks-and-clicks model.
Note: Customers/Readers are over the age of 19 and can legally purchase THC products for recreational use.
Main Photo by Kindel Media.
