Cannabis Products in Canada: How to Join in the Trend Even if You Aren’t a Licensed Producer

• April 2, 2019
• Topics:
  • Cannabis Legalization
  • Marketsupport

Cannabis products have been in Canada for nearly six months now after the launch in October of 2018.

In the first two weeks after legalization, Canadians spent $43 million on cannabis, according to Statistics Canada. In the first two-and-a-half months of legalization, Canadians spent $151 million on cannabis. Alberta, Quebec, and Ontario saw the highest sales per province.

In October of 2019, in what some are calling the “second wave of legalization,” another cannabis product is coming to Canada: edibles. And there is a lot of potential for the market. A 2018 survey from Deloitte suggested that six out of 10 Canadian customers would choose pot edibles over smokables.

Like other cannabis products, edibles will be limited to licensed producers and retailers. However, that doesn’t mean the market is closed off entirely.

Other brands are getting in on the cannabis action through creating companion products.

For instance, Chapters-Indigo has a section in their stores highlighting books about cannabis uses – such as baking with cannabis, or how to grow your own.

Other retailers and producers can take advantage in similar ways.

Consider:

• A hardware manufacturer with a gardening focus could feature supplies for growing cannabis.
• A kitchen manufacturer could offer specific supplies for cooking with cannabis.
• A food manufacturer could pre-package mixes for baking with cannabis.
• Like Chapters, other retailers could stock cannabis-related books.
• And so on…

The point is that just because you are not a licensed producer or retailer, it doesn’t mean that you can’t join in the trend. The key is getting creative about how you do so.

Just be sure to watch for cannabis advertising restrictions: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/why-you-won-t-be-seeing-cannabis-ads-everywhere-1.4138061.

Other Cannabis Trends on the Horizon

• THC-infused drinks.

While Health Canada has regulated it that alcohol and cannabis cannot mix, some manufacturers are looking into THC- and/or CBD-infused drinks, including Constellation Brands, the group behind Corona and Modelo beers; Molson Coors; and even Coca-Cola.

• CBD-oil products.

When Walmart Canada announced it was considering selling CBD products in store, shares jumped up 2.5%. Some estimates say the CBD market could be $22 billion by 2022 in the U.S., and even more globally.

• Tourism.

Just like brewery tours, we might be seeing cannabis manufacturing plant tours in the near future.

Restaurants and cafés may also start incorporating cannabis into the menus, depending on legislation.

Marketsupport Canada can help you plan for cannabis integration into your brand or retailer. Contact us today to learn more. Call 1-877-421-5081 or visit www.storesupport.ca.