Statistics Canada wants to know how much you pay for pot.
The government agency recently launched StatsCannabis, a new online statistics hub that includes a crowd-sourcing platform, to gather information around cannabis use in the country including how much Canadians are paying, the quantity and quality, reasons for buying, and average usage and consumption ahead of impending legalization this summer.
Hey Canada, #LetsTalkCannabis! We need your help in gathering #cannabis related stats! All information collected is confidential and protected by the Statistics Act. https://t.co/1G6rp3CDWp pic.twitter.com/2i016OwKJO
— Statistics Canada (@StatCan_eng) March 5, 2018
“The legalization of cannabis has important social and economic implications for Canada and Canadians,” a Statistics Canada spokesperson said in an email to the Courier. “If this legislation is approved, all levels of government will need information related to the production, distribution and consumption of non-medical cannabis prior to and following legalization to support the development of policies and regulations.”
By visiting the website at surveys-enquetes.statcan.gc.ca/cannabis Canadians can anonymously enter all the details about their last pot purchase. Data collected between Jan. 25 and Feb. 21 shows that B.C. residents pay the second lowest price for pot in the country, coming in just a few cents above the national average of $6.82 per gram for dried cannabis.
According to the data collected so far, Quebec has the lowest price at an average of $5.89 per gram. B.C. came in at $6.93 per gram. The Atlantic provinces average $7.04 per gram, the Prairies pay $7.25, Ontario comes in at $7.38 and the Territories top the country for most expensive pot prices at $9.35 per gram.
“By producing data on Cannabis, Statistics Canada aims to ensure that Canadians are well-positioned to understand the socioeconomic impacts of legalization, in the event that Bill C-45 is passed,” the spokesperson said. “The statistics produced will support the development of appropriate laws, policies and regulations at all levels of government.”
@JessicaEKerr
jkerr@vancourier.com
