A recent editorial in a Canadian newspaper, Globe and MailUniversity of Toronto sociologists reviewed a brief history of marijuana legalization in Canada and concluded in fairly clear terms that overall, we as a nation have passed legalization and are now moving on.

“Canada took a rather restrained approach when it initially rolled out legalization, and it appears to be paying off. The sky isn’t falling, usage isn’t skyrocketing, and the steady rise in the percentage of legal sales means that public health and safety are being enhanced”, U of T Says Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, Director of Cannabis Amnesty Research

According to the data, legal marijuana sales in the form of retail and medical distribution channels totaled $1.28B (CAD), or about 1.8 times illicit distribution; a remarkable shift from three years ago, when illicit sales were $1.2B $175 million in legal sales.

The author, a faculty member at the University of Toronto, also points out that, as a society, we haven’t experienced any of the “refrigerated madness” moments of hysteria that were initially expected, even if some didn’t. Perhaps this is due to the high prevalence of marijuana use among the Canadian population, which has created a boom that prompted marijuana reform at the federal level in the first place.

That’s not to say that some social and security issues don’t exist. Drug-impaired (and alcohol- and text-impaired) drivers still pose a real and tangible risk to those driving on Canadian roads, and after years of successfully reversing smoking trends, respiratory physicians may face a growing number of lung cancers – Associated diseases caused by increased marijuana use.

Two years ago, I wrote an article about how people across the country opened their first government-approved, excise-appropriate cannabis containers, only to find that the disappointment waiting inside was a dry, stale and underweight product for them. about to be consumed.

In the early days, cannabis products in the form of flowers, pre-rolls and other basic consumer products often sucked because they sat on shelves for up to two years before they were legally available. In addition, other derivative products, such as extracts, e-cigarettes, waxes, and various foods, will not be sold for at least a year after the work is published. To paraphrase an old 70s cigarette ad, we’ve come a long way, baby…

As the article goes on to mention, the commercial real estate market is already seeing evidence of changing attitudes and consumption patterns, with general softening demand for rental space due to business closures and closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In some regions, through Open 2,500 new cannabis retail stores nationwide.

Of course, this growth has been uneven, with some urban markets being well-served while others further afield are still waiting for retail outlets. To add to the confusion, many jurisdictions and municipalities decided in advance to ban the commercial sale of marijuana on their streets. Some municipalities may regret making the decision, based on business tax revenues in the areas that accept these new businesses.

There is no doubt that “Cannabis 2.0 products” (as it was referred to at the time) will change the consumption patterns and general acceptance of cannabis in Canadian life more than the pandemic; when many industry experts spoke at the last O’Cannabiz conference in 2019 predicted this.

inside 2020 Canadian Cannabis SurveyData compiled by Statistics Canada showed a slight increase in both smoking and consumption of cannabis-derived products compared to 2019, with two-thirds of respondents reporting occasional use of cannabis-derived products, and more people citing cannabis-derived products lower health risks than alcohol or tobacco.

The elephant in the room may be whether the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on marijuana consumption in Canada or elsewhere. According to the study, 56 percent reported using the same amount of marijuana, 22 percent reported using more, and 22 percent reported using less, so it sounds a lot like a face wash.

Given the progress we have made as a cannabis-related nation, there are great opportunities for the industry or for those interested in the field. The first involved retail distribution of cannabis. This corporate sector has rapidly migrated to mainstream distribution in urban street business districts.

Where the provincial government exercises absolute control over distribution, such as Quebec And Nova Scotia, retail success is largely guaranteed or moot. In other markets, where the government controls distribution at the wholesale level, as a retailer, there are few opportunities to promote the business, as it contains adult-use products, and general media advertising is prohibited.Strategies for retail consumer success that will separate good-performing businesses from failing ones will be our focus. 2022 Exhibition.

After Canada banned alcohol, the Liquor Control Act of 1927 allowed the sale of alcoholic beverages for personal purchase, but drinking in public places (such as bars, bistros, restaurants, etc.) remained a taboo.

It will be another seven years before you can have a beer in the beverage room, and probably another three years before you can have a glass of wine with dinner, something we take for granted today in permitted venues.

In the United States, the ban ended in 1933, and today there are 83 dry counties in nine different states. Whatever the vice is, it seems to exist and will continue to exist. Where is Canada heading? We are still waiting for the smoke to clear.

Cannabis tourism, tourism and hospitality is an area that has yet to gain traction here, but certainly not far behind. Humans are social animals, and it won’t be long before those who have used marijuana with others in private in the past will want to do so in public. Reason goes beyond the regulation of alcohol. I look forward to the next three years after legalization in Canada to see what changes.