A new nationwide survey finds that seven years after legalization, cannabis use has become firmly embedded in Canadian society, with broad public backing for policies that would help the sector expand.
According to research from Abacus Data, conducted for Organigram Global, more than one in three Canadian adults (35%) say they’ve used cannabis in the past six months, and nearly as many (32%) report using it within the last two weeks. Among adults under 45, half say they’ve consumed cannabis recently, and more than a third did so in just the past two weeks.
The data also shows that Canadians are consuming marijuana in a wide range of forms. Over the last six months, 25% report using edibles, 16% dried flower, with others using oils, vape products, and beverages. Three in ten users say they prefer cannabis over alcohol, and another 29% place them on equal footing.
Support for the industry extends well beyond personal use. Nearly 60% of Canadians view the legal cannabis sector as an important contributor to the economy, with that view holding across regions, age groups, and political affiliations. Agreement is especially strong in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, as well as among younger Canadians.
When asked whether federal cannabis policy should prioritize growth or keep strict limits, 59% sided with updating the rules to support jobs and economic development. Similarly, 58% said they would welcome the government making it easier for the industry to expand, compared to just 28% who opposed such a move.
Canadians also outlined specific policy priorities. Almost half want departments like Industry and Agriculture, not just Health Canada, involved in cannabis regulation. Four in ten want stronger enforcement against the illicit market, a third favor lower business taxes for producers, and nearly as many want more support for product categories like beverages, edibles, and wellness products.
Public openness to new categories is especially strong. A majority—57% overall and 64% of those under 45—support federal investment in cannabis beverages, edibles, and wellness-focused products. Support spans political parties, with backing from Liberal, NDP, Green, and even a slim majority of Conservative voters.
Looking ahead, more than 70% of Canadians say they would view job creation, tax revenue growth, or global leadership in wellness products as positive outcomes of expanded cannabis policy. Roughly three-quarters say they’d welcome advances in cannabis-based treatments for pain and anxiety, and most are supportive of products like cannabis beverages eventually being served in restaurants, bars, or spas.
The results suggest cannabis is no longer politically risky for federal leaders. With one-third of Canadians using it regularly and most comfortable with further integration, the industry is widely seen as a normalized part of Canadian life and an economic opportunity worth supporting.
The Abacus Data survey was conducted June 25 to July 2, 2025, with a sample of 2,000 Canadian adults. The margin of error is +/- 2.19%.
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