Yukoners are consuming cannabis at a rate higher that the national average and most have transitioned to the legal market, according to the Government of Yukon’s mandatory review of the Territory’s cannabis legislation.
The review – mandated by Yukon’s Cannabis Control and Regulation Act within five years of the Act coming into force – provides insights into the impacts of cannabis legalization in the territory and identifies opportunities for future improvement, the Territory says of the report tabled in the Yukon Legislative Assembly Oct. 17.
The report notes that Yukon had higher pre-legalization cannabis use (21 per cent) compared to the national average (14 per cent). Five years post-legalization, the Yukon still exceeds the national rate (41 per cent compared to 35 per cent).
In addition, most Yukoners now purchase cannabis from licensed retailers, but confusion remains over legal versus illicit online sales.
The report notes that cannabis wholesale-to-retail sales in the Yukon have grown steadily, rising from $2.03 million in 2018–19 to $9.2 million in 2023–24, indicating a strong transition to a legal market that benefits the local economy.
The review focused on the purposes of the Act: regulating adult access to legally produced cannabis in a responsible manner to protect public health and safety, protect young people from access to and consumption of cannabis, and to provide government oversight through its distribution and retail model.
The review involved extensive public engagement, including input from First Nation and local governments, various stakeholders and the public. It also included a comprehensive analysis of research data and statistics related to cannabis use at both the territorial and national levels.
Among the other key findings were:
- Concerns about the normalization of cannabis among those who participated in the public engagement. “The attitude of ‘it’s legal so it’s harmless’ is of concern to many stakeholders and the public in general,” the report notes.
- High youth cannabis consumption rates remain a concern for Yukoners despite protective measures.
- Cannabis-impaired driving rates in the Yukon match national levels and pose road safety concerns.
- Law enforcement faces challenges addressing illicit cannabis activity due to the Yukon’s geographic isolation, proximity to borders and transportation corridors.
The Government of Yukon will consider the findings of this review as it develops enhanced public education efforts, continues to monitor the effects of cannabis legalization in the territory and explores potential regulation amendments.
The full review report is now available to read online here.
“Completing this review marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to manage cannabis legalization responsibly,” Sandy Silver, Minister responsible for the Yukon Liquor Corporation, said in a release.
“As we consider the review’s findings, we are committed to continuously learning and adapting our framework to support the legal cannabis industry and protect the health and safety of Yukoners.”
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