How much of a dent British Columbia’s legal sales of recreational cannabis will make in the black market for marijuana after Oct. 17 remains an open question while the province keeps retail pricing under wraps.
Based on the information B.C.’s Liquor Distribution Branch has made available on wholesale pricing, however, operators in the legal market may find it tough to take market share from illicit dealers.
“(A lot) depends on how fast and how accessible a system is created for the legal market,” said Dana Larsen, who operates two illegal dispensaries that he plans to keep open in defiance of the new, legal system.
Statistics Canada now tracks consumer cannabis prices through a voluntary reporting mechanism. Based on its report, in 2017, British Columbians paid $7.63 per gram on average for medicinal cannabis and $6.94 for non-medical marijuana.
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