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OTTAWA—It has been seven years since cannabis was legalized in Canada, and a new study reports the industry has become a mainstream part of Canadian life and a valued contributor to the economy.
The study, conducted by Abacus Data for Organigram Global Inc., found that 35 per cent of Canadian adults used cannabis in the past six months and nearly one in three in the past two weeks. Among Canadians under 45, half reported recent use. The findings point to a normalization of cannabis consumption, with products such as edibles, beverages and oils now part of many Canadians’ lifestyles.
The survey found that 59 per cent of respondents see the legal cannabis sector as an important contributor to the economy, a view shared across age groups and political affiliations. A similar proportion say the federal government should update cannabis rules to promote economic growth and job creation.
Support for expanding the industry goes beyond consumption. Nearly half of Canadians surveyed want economic departments involved in cannabis policy decisions, and a majority support investment in new product categories like beverages, edibles and wellness products. More than 70 per cent say creating new cannabis-related jobs or developing medical and wellness uses would be positive outcomes.
Abacus Data says the results show Canadians view cannabis as both an accepted consumer product and a homegrown economic opportunity. The survey of 2,000 adults was conducted online between June 25 and July 2, 2025, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
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