The gross domestic product (GDP) at basic prices for the legal cannabis industry in Canada in April 2025 was $9.2 billion. The figures are up from $9.1 billion in March.

While licensed cannabis producers’ contribution to Canada’s GDP ($8.2 billion) increased 9.8% from April 2024, unlicensed cannabis production’s contribution ($1.7 billion) declined 4%, adding to the ongoing trend of market share shifting from the illicit sector since legalization in 2018.

Licensed cannabis stores contributed just under $1 billion to Canada’s GDP as of April 2025, a 6.4% year-over-year increase from April 2024. Unlicensed cannabis stores contributed another $839 million, representing a 4.1% decline.

These figures are seasonally adjusted and tied to 2017 dollars. 

Crop production in Canada, excluding cannabis production, contributed $19.4 billion to Canada’s GDP as of April 2025, a 3.7% increase from April 2024. 

Miscellaneous store retailers, excluding cannabis, contributed $118.7 billion to Canada’s GDP as of April 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of 5.3%.

Despite these figures showing declines in Canada’s illicit cannabis market, the number of unlicensed cannabis stores has been increasing in recent years, especially in provinces like Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and BC. While many of these unlicensed stores operate on First Nations reserve land, many in Ontario have been appearing in major urban areas such as the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. 

Related Articles

Cannabis legalization in Canada effective at displacing the illicit market

May 12, 2025

Sûreté du Québec continues crackdown against unlicensed cannabis operations

May 2, 2025

Six years in, Canada’s illicit cannabis market is making a comeback

October 17, 2024