The Negative Anchor of the Canadian Cannabis Industry

 The Negative Anchor of the Canadian Cannabis Industry

In 2018 the world watched as Canada became one of the first countries to “legalize” cannabis.  There were many high hopes and it was a brave new world. 

Unfortunately, that was not the case. The industry was and still is treated like the second son to the firstborn child, the Liquor Industry.  

Politicians not supporting science

Politicians of all parties delaying the cannabis industry by presumptive thinking with no proof of any harm, or extreme mitigating factors. 

How do we change the mindset to bring the cannabis industry on par to the Canadian  federal and provincial liquor industry? 

The Negative Anchor of the Canadian Cannabis Industry: A Call for Equality

In 2018, Canada made global headlines as it became one of the first countries to legalize cannabis for both recreational and medicinal use. There were widespread hopes for a thriving industry that would foster economic growth, create jobs, and provide safer, regulated access to cannabis products. It was a brave new frontier, a pioneering move that many believed would set the standard for cannabis legalization worldwide.

However, six years later, the cannabis industry remains shackled by regulations, stigma, and an unequal standing compared to the liquor industry—a more established yet equally regulated sector. Cannabis, the "second son" to alcohol, continues to struggle under a system that treats it as an afterthought, despite its enormous potential.

Political Hurdles and Misguided Policies

A key reason for the stunted growth of the Canadian cannabis industry lies in political reluctance. Politicians across various parties have shown a lack of support for cannabis legalization, often basing their hesitancy on outdated assumptions and disproven fears. Rather than embracing the science surrounding cannabis, many policymakers have leaned on unsubstantiated concerns about the harm it might cause.

While alcohol is widely accepted despite its well-documented risks—including addiction, impaired driving, and long-term health consequences—the cannabis industry faces excessive scrutiny for risks that science does not support to the same extent. Numerous studies have shown that cannabis, when regulated and consumed responsibly, poses fewer health risks than alcohol. For example, alcohol-related deaths are significantly higher than those related to cannabis use. Yet, politicians often rely on fear-based narratives when discussing cannabis, which has delayed its integration into Canadian society on equal footing with the liquor industry.

Stifling regulations further reflect this outdated thinking. From excessively high taxes to restrictive marketing rules, the cannabis industry is held back in ways the liquor industry is not. For instance, cannabis businesses face far more stringent advertising restrictions than their alcohol counterparts, which can freely advertise in mainstream media. These constraints not only limit business growth but also maintain the stigma surrounding cannabis, preventing it from becoming normalized in the same way that alcohol has been over the decades.

A Need for Science-Based Policy

The disparity in how cannabis and alcohol are treated highlights a crucial need for science-based policymaking. While alcohol has been normalized, largely through corporate influence and decades of regulatory leniency, cannabis has been treated as a fringe product. This stigma dates back to the failed "War on Drugs." But this mindset needs to change.

Research has demonstrated the medical benefits of cannabis, from pain relief to reducing anxiety and depression, which has led to the rise of medical marijuana use worldwide. Additionally, legal cannabis offers consumers a safer alternative to the black market, where unregulated products can be dangerous and harmful. A well-regulated cannabis industry can help minimize risks by ensuring product quality and proper labeling.

For Canada’s cannabis industry to thrive, federal and provincial governments must remove the biases that currently favor the liquor industry. Politicians should be held accountable to follow science, not presumptive thinking based on fear or misinformation. This involves normalizing cannabis in everyday society—starting with changing laws that discriminate against the plant in ways alcohol never faces.

Leveling the Playing Field

To bring cannabis on par with alcohol, Canadian governments need to take several key steps:

1. Taxation: Lowering the exorbitant excise taxes placed on cannabis products will allow businesses to compete fairly with the black market, making legal, safe cannabis more accessible to consumers.
2. Advertising: Easing restrictions on cannabis marketing will enable companies to educate the public and promote responsible use, just as the alcohol industry does.
3. Access: Expanding access to cannabis products, particularly in provinces where retail licensing is overly restricted, would further destigmatize the product and make it as accessible as alcohol.
4. Public Education: A large part of normalizing cannabis involves educating the public about its benefits and risks. Governments and the industry alike should invest in campaigns to inform people about responsible consumption, just as they do for alcohol.

Changing the Mindset

Ultimately, the key to transforming the cannabis industry’s standing in Canada lies in changing the mindset that surrounds it. This means challenging the old stereotypes of cannabis use and embracing a more progressive approach that recognizes the industry’s potential for economic, medical, and societal benefit.

The cannabis industry has the power to contribute to Canada’s economy in significant ways. It has already created thousands of jobs, generated substantial tax revenue, and provided safer alternatives to illegal markets. But to fully realize its potential, it must be freed from the chains of disproportionate regulation and societal stigma.

By bringing cannabis on par with the liquor industry, Canada has the opportunity to truly lead the world in progressive drug policy. This shift will require bold political will, but with the right changes, cannabis could finally achieve the equality it deserves—a fully integrated part of Canadian culture and economy, free from the shadows of its past.

In a world where alcohol is not only accepted but celebrated, the same treatment for cannabis should no longer be a pipe dream. It’s time to anchor the industry in fairness, science, and opportunity.