Canadian Cannabis Sales Bounced Further

Statistics Canada released May retail sales for the country, with cannabis sales increasing from the April levels, up 4.0% to C$485.4 million.  This sequential growth was mainly due to the extra day in the month. April, originally reported at C$466.7 million, was revised slightly higher to C$466.8 million. The sales in April were up 9.7% from a year ago, the strongest annual growth since November 2023. This was down from the 20.3% August 2023 growth rate and above the prior lowest annual  growth rate since legalization commenced  of -0.9% in September, and it was up somewhat from the December growth of 9.1%.  In 2024, total sales increased 4.5% to C$5.39 billion, and they are up 5.4% so far in 2025.

An increase in the number of stores as well as falling flower prices that bring consumers from the illicit market have been boosting sales. In Ontario, the largest province in population, sales were up 7.6% from April and up 4% from a year ago. Alberta was up 5.0% from April and up 12% from a year ago. British Columbia dropped 2.5% from April as it soared 26% from a year ago, while Quebec was up 6.6% from April and up 9% from a year ago.

The June sales data will be released on August 22nd.