Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Canadians spent about C$6bn ($5.6bn, £3.5bn) on cannabis in 2015 - almost as much as they did on wine.
The estimate comes from Canada's bureau of statistics, which studied marijuana consumption between 1960 and 2015.
The government has promised to research the drug's affect on the economy and society as it ramps up its plans to legalize cannabis next summer.
The report also found that use has gone up over the years as it has become more popular with adults.
In the 1960s and 1970s cannabis was primarily consumed by young people, according to Statistics Canada.
But in 2015, only 6% of 15-17 year olds smoked cannabis recreationally, compared to two thirds of adults over 25.
Canadians consumed about 697.5 tons of pot in 2015, which the report estimated to be worth between C$5.0bn to C$6.2bn.
Since marijuana is not legal yet, the researchers had to estimate its market value, pegging it between C$7.14 to C$8.84 a gram.
Many Canadian provinces have discussed charging about $10 a gram for cannabis once it is legalized. The government's plan, which has been championed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, would legalize marijuana consumption throughout the country but leave its method of sale up to the provinces.
In November, the federal government said it planned to levy a 10% excise tax of C$1 per gram of the final retail price, whichever is higher. The provinces will take home 75% of those revenues.
Under that scheme, the government could stand to rake in almost C$700m a year, if Statistics Canada's estimate proves correct.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Canada spends as much on marijuana as wine - BBC News
Contact: BBC Contact Us - Home
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Home - BBC News
The estimate comes from Canada's bureau of statistics, which studied marijuana consumption between 1960 and 2015.
The government has promised to research the drug's affect on the economy and society as it ramps up its plans to legalize cannabis next summer.
The report also found that use has gone up over the years as it has become more popular with adults.
In the 1960s and 1970s cannabis was primarily consumed by young people, according to Statistics Canada.
But in 2015, only 6% of 15-17 year olds smoked cannabis recreationally, compared to two thirds of adults over 25.
Canadians consumed about 697.5 tons of pot in 2015, which the report estimated to be worth between C$5.0bn to C$6.2bn.
Since marijuana is not legal yet, the researchers had to estimate its market value, pegging it between C$7.14 to C$8.84 a gram.
Many Canadian provinces have discussed charging about $10 a gram for cannabis once it is legalized. The government's plan, which has been championed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, would legalize marijuana consumption throughout the country but leave its method of sale up to the provinces.
In November, the federal government said it planned to levy a 10% excise tax of C$1 per gram of the final retail price, whichever is higher. The provinces will take home 75% of those revenues.
Under that scheme, the government could stand to rake in almost C$700m a year, if Statistics Canada's estimate proves correct.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Canada spends as much on marijuana as wine - BBC News
Contact: BBC Contact Us - Home
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Home - BBC News
