Cannabis Industry Contributed $9.1B to Canada’s GDP During Q1 2025

The legal cannabis industry has contributed $9.104 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) through the first three months of 2025, according to the most recent, seasonally adjusted figures from Statistics Canada. During the same period last year, the sector contributed $8.3 billion to Canada’s GDP. 

Canada’s production of licensed cannabis increased 10.6% from March 2024 to March 2025, while unlicensed production dropped 4.5%, according to government data. Sales at licensed cannabis retailers experienced a 4.7% year-over-year increase from March 2024 to March 2025, while sales at unlicensed shops fell 4.4% over that same timeframe. 

Canadian household final consumption expenditures totaled $11.7 billion during the first quarter of this year, with provincial and territorial governments taking in $1.5 billion. The combined revenue, expenditure, and budgetary balance through the first quarter is down from the $1.032 billion during the fourth quarter of 2024.  

Household expenditures on medical cannabis remained level at $116 million from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025.   

A survey from April conducted by Abacus Data, commissioned by Organigram Global, found a majority (57%) of Canadians view cannabis as important to the country’s economy, with 62% believing it could play a more significant role in the future economy.