Canada’s Cannabis Vape Boom Has a Trash Problem
- Cannabis vapes, including single-use and 510 cartridges, make up nearly 20% of total cannabis sales annually in Canada.
- These vape products have generated over 3,550 tonnes of waste in the past four years, contributing to a growing environmental impact.
- Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in October 2018, Canada's legal cannabis market has expanded significantly with a wide range of products available nationwide.
- Vaping is now one of the largest cannabis product categories, with 37% of cannabis consumers using vape pens or cartridges according to Health Canada's 2024 survey.
Cannabis vapes, including both single-use and 510 cartridges, comprise almost 20% of total cannabis sales every year across Canada.
This has resulted in upwards of 3,550 tonnes of waste over the past four years, and that number is growing at a significant rate each year, creating a significant environmental footprint.
Canada’s legal cannabis industry has come a long way since recreational cannabis was legalized in October 2018. Consumers now have an enormous selection of products available through thousands of legal retailers across the country.
Vapes Are Now a Major Cannabis Product Category
According to recent Canadian cannabis market data, vapes account for approximately 19% of total legal cannabis retail sales by dollar value. That makes vaping one of the largest product categories in Canada’s cannabis market, behind traditional flower and pre-rolls.
The consumer numbers tell a similar story. Health Canada’s 2024 Canadian Cannabis Survey found that 37% of cannabis consumers reported using vape pens or cartridges, up from 34% the previous year.
Among Canadians who had consumed cannabis during the previous 30 days, 23% reported obtaining vape pens or cartridges. Only dried flower (52%) and edibles (26%) were more commonly reported product types.
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