Examines evidence on the impact and implementation of the 2018 Cannabis Act. The report explores progress toward the act’s public health and safety objectives. Policy makers, public health professionals and researchers involved in cannabis regulation will find the report informative. Continuing to monitor and learn from the evolution of the regulated cannabis market in Canada remains essential to informing policy and public health, both in Canada and internationally.

Key messages:
• Overall, the percentage of people in Canada reporting cannabis use decreased from 2020 to 2021. However, more youth than adults who use cannabis reported changing their patterns of use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Despite some month-to-month fluctuation, the legal retail cannabis market continues to grow, with an increase from $148 million in December 2019 to close to $355 million in December 2021. Retail sales almost doubled in Ontario between 2019 and 2021, aligning with the lifting of the cap on number of stores.
• While dried cannabis continues to dominate total sales, demand for other product formats, such as edible cannabis and cannabis extracts, is growing.
• Legal retail sales continue to capture an increasing share of the market. Growing consumer preferences for legal cannabis sources shows relative success in diversion from the illicit market. 
• There has been a dramatic reduction in cannabis-related incidents and charges since legalization.
• Ongoing monitoring is needed to better understand the impacts of the expanding market and emerging usage patterns on public health, such as problematic use or emergency department visits.