New data shows pot may not cost as much as first thought in Canada

OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – Updated numbers show Canadians may be paying even less for their pot than first thought.
The average gram of pot in Canada costs not much more than a Tim Horton’s breakfast.

Statistics Canada has been tracking the black market price through a crowd sourcing survey and two weeks ago said it was around $7.50. But since then, 15,000 more people have taken part and the new figures show the price is actually less than $7. That low price on the streets is raising questions about whether legalization can actually stamp out the black market.

Mark Holland, the parliamentary secretary to public safety, says they’re considering all data when developing the new system. “Balancing these various factors is challenging but the reality is, I think we’re moving to a much better regime than where we are.”

NDP MP Peter Julian has some concerns. “I’m not sure the government has done its homework on this at all and the problem is when you see how they have rolled this out, it’s been in the most amateurish way imaginable.”

Ottawa has suggested a price point of $10 a gram when pot becomes legal sometime later this year. Holland wouldn’t say if they will reconsider that.

Meantime, the federal public safety minister says people shouldn’t jump to conclusions about when they’ll be able to buy marijuana legally, as a key federal bill makes its way through Parliament.

Ralph Goodale says there will be an implementation phase that takes a “short period of time” after passage of the bill legalizing recreational marijuana use.

But he isn’t saying whether that means people will be able to legally smoke pot as of July, as many have come to expect.

The health minister says this week provinces and territories have indicated once the federal bill receives royal assent, they’ll need another eight to 12 weeks to prepare for retail sales.

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