Statistics Canada released March retail sales for the country, with cannabis sales increasing from the February levels, up 7.4% to C$471.4 million from the prior month. The sequential increase was down 4.0% on a per-day basis more due to the fewer days in the prior month. February, originally reported at C$440.5 million, was revised lower to C$439.1 million. The sales in March were up 6.2% from a year ago, down from the level last month at 7.6% and in May at 8.3% and 7.5% in June but better than the prior lowest annual growth rate since legalization commenced of -0.9% in September 2024 due to the BC strike. In 2024, total sales increased 4.5% to C$5.39 billion, and they were up 4.1% in 2025 to C$5.62 billion. So far in 2026, sales are up 7.7%.
An increase in the number of stores as well as falling flower prices that bring consumers from the illicit market have been boosting sales. In Ontario, the largest province in population, sales were up 14.1% from February and up 4% from a year ago. Alberta was up 9.1% from February but down 3% from a year ago. British Columbia decreased by 12.6% from February and soared 25% from a year ago, while Quebec was up 10.4% from February and up 2% from a year ago.
The April sales data will be released on June 19th.
