Pot Users Still Turning to Black Market, Stats Show

Article by Haneen Al-Hassoun, CBC News

Nearly six months after legalization, one in every three Canadian cannabis users is still buying their weed on the street, according to new statistics.

According to Statistics Canada’s National Cannabis Survey, which covers the first quarter of 2019, 38 per cent of Canadian pot consumers continue turning to the black market.

That’s despite Ontario’s online cannabis retailer going live on Oct. 17, and Ottawa’s first bricks-and-mortar pot shops opening their doors April 1.

Most customers who are eschewing those legal sources say they’re too expensive.

“It just comes down to dollars and cents,” Jonathan Hull told CBC. “An ounce on the streets is going for about anywhere from a $160 to $180, and in [licensed shops] you’re going to be paying $260 to $280.”

Hull said the stores have their allure, but for him, they’re still not worth it.

“The convenience of those stores is a nice thing, to be able to just pop into a store here when you need something is really good. But I still go onto the black market quite frequently, just due to the cost.”

Read the full article here.