Canadian medical cannabis exports doubled in 2024

Canadian exports of medical cannabis rose dramatically in 2024, amid rapid market expansion in Europe.

According to the latest figures from Health Canada, which include data through June 2024, the first six months of the year saw by far the highest volume of medical cannabis flower exports.

From January through June 2024, 67,475.28 kg of dried cannabis flowers were exported from Canada, an increase of 98% compared to the 34,115.13 kg sold during the first six months of 2023.

In March, one month before the enactment of the German Cannabis Reform Bill (CanG), Canada exported a record 14,015 kg.

That figure fell to 8,330 kg in April, before reaching new records of 14,364 kg and 14,671 kg in May and June, respectively. This rebound is also evident in German imports, with a an increase of more than 70% in the third quarter.

While the European boom continues to drive Canada's export market forward at a steady pace, the domestic medical cannabis market is less promising.

On the one hand, the number of patient registrations with federally licensed sellers remained relatively stable between March 2023 and June 2024, falling from 180,878 to 179,931. In contrast, registrations for personal and designated cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes increased by 6% during the same period, rising from 15,726 to 16,609.

Health Canada has expressed concern about the increase in average daily allowable quantities by healthcare professionals for individuals registered for personal or designated production.

Nationwide, this average daily amount reached 34.6 grams per day, which is significantly higher than the 2.4 grams per day allowed for people who purchase cannabis from federally licensed sellers.

This disparity raises concerns about the misuse of the medical cannabis framework and the risk of diversion to the illicit market.

In response to these concerns, Health Canada has begun sharing data with provincial and territorial medical regulatory authorities to help them monitor licensing practices.