Illicit sales

Prior to legalization cannabis sales from illicit on-line companies was quite prevalent.  Post-legalization the sale of non-regulated cannabis continues to be one of the most prevalent forms for illicit cannabis reaching consumers.  Many consumers are led to believe that this is legal as some on-line sales companies will ask or provide a medical prescription for cannabis, as a guise to seem legal despite selling non-regulated product and not having a licence for sale of cannabis for medical purposes.

Similar to all of the other points raised when describing concerns regarding non-regulated cannabis sales on and off First Nations communities, on-line illicit cannabis further perpetuates these concerns. 

Summary of Illicit sales (online):

  • Currently representing a significant portion of illicit sales.
  • Confusing as customers see this as legal product 
  • Concerns around safety of non-regulated product being sold (see RPC study)
  • Concerns with non-regulated packaging and risk of youth consumption 
  • Concerns of the presence of criminal elements leading to negative impact on the communities
  • Gateway to illegal substances 
  • Loss of revenue for First Nations 
  • Loss of revenue for government partners 
  • Loss of revenue for licensed holders 
  • Lack of band policies on dispensing of product in community 
  • Lost tax revenue for governments
  • Lost revenue for LPs
  • Pressure on pricing for LPs causing financial instability 

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