Canada Alcohol Sales Show No Significant Change After Cannabis Legalization

Canada's legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018 sparked questions about its impact on alcohol consumption, with concerns about whether cannabis use would substitute or complement alcohol drinking. Research analyzing alcohol sales from 2004 to 2022 found a shift from beer to other beverages but no significant overall change in alcohol sales following cannabis legalization, suggesting a complex relationship without clear substitution or increase. In response to changing markets, some businesses diversified by acquiring cannabis growers or beer brewers. Meanwhile, Alberta has updated regulations to support local liquor producers and cannabis cultivators, including allowing sales on party bikes and enabling federally licensed cannabis producers to sell directly from their properties, aligning with other provinces and expanding consumer access. Additionally, Ontario introduced legislation to remove provincial trade barriers, facilitating interprovincial alcohol sales to combat economic impacts from U.S. tariffs and improve goods mobility. These developments reflect ongoing adjustments in Canada's alcohol and cannabis industries amid evolving regulatory and market landscapes.