The Cannabis Beverage Regulations in Canadian Dispensaries
The future looks bright for cannabis beverages in Canada. With more brands entering the market and new regulations opening up opportunities for innovation, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in this space in the years to come. Let’s dive into what kind of changes you can expect.
Cannabis Beverages in Canada
When Canada legalized cannabis in 2018, there were lots of ideas going around on how to make cannabis appealing to people who didn’t want to smoke it.
From gummies to baked goods, to chocolate and hard candies, the limit of edibles did not exist. So, we thought.
Cannabis Beverage Limitations in Canada
When cannabis beverages came into the market in early 2020, the industry had high expectations for the market adoption of THC infused drinks.
In 2018, Deloitte estimated that the annual Canadian market for cannabis beverages could be worth $529-million. Today, in 2022 it is said to be worth between 60 to 100 million dollars annually.
This number is significantly lower than expected. But why?
They look so good but I can’t buy them all. 😔
Why haven’t cannabis drinks caught on?
The Cannabis Act, set by the Government of Canada set a public possession limit of 30g of dried cannabis or its “equivalent” for other forms of cannabis. This means that as an adult you are only able to possess, in public, a maximum of two 100g (or approximately 2.1 L) for cannabis beverages. Consequently, you can only purchase a maximum of 5 beverages at one time. – Not even a six-pack!
From a price point stance, this regulation also made purchasing drinks unfavourable to consumers. In some cases, it could be up to ten times more expensive to get the same effect from beverages as it would from other forms of cannabis. The price point for the amount of THC in the beverages seems to be the main reason for the lack of sales.
Cheers to change! 🥂🍻
The limit on cannabis beverages is changing in Canada
On April 26, 2022, the limit on cannabis beverages could change.
Stakeholder feedback and analysis conducted by Health Canada acknowledged that the 30g of dried cannabis equivalency unintentionally restricts the possession and sale of cannabis beverages. They recognized that this restriction affects the sales of cannabis drinks more than any other form of cannabis.
Currently, under consultation, the Government of Canada may allow for 17.1L to be purchased at one time. This means customers would be able to walk out of dispensaries and be seen in public spaces with a 48 pack of 355ml beverages.
Cheers to the Government considering updating regulations, and we’ll drink to that. 🍻
BudSense Beverage Menu
Since BudSense makes selling weed easy, we created a digital Category Menu to prepare for the proposed change in cannabis beverage regulations. Here’s what a drink digital menu could look like in your cannabis dispensary.
Bottoms up!! 🍻
I Want Digital Menus for my Cannabis Drinks, How do I get Started?
Great Question! Book a demo today to learn more about how BudSense can enhance your cannabis shop and help you sell more cannabis beverages.
The BudSense platform will work with any tv and a BuzzTV Box. We have a purchasing guide here if you would like to learn more.
If you’re curious about pricing, check it out on our pricing page. But don’t be a stranger, we are flexible on our offering. Make sure to reach out to us and help us understand your specific needs. We’re here to help.
If you’re looking for help with taking your menus from good to great contact us any time. We are happy to brainstorm ideas with you.
