Youth cannabis use ‘decreased significantly’ in 2021
A federally funded survey revealed that, despite an increasing number of states opening up legal sales, youth consumption of cannabis and illicit substances overall has decreased through the pandemic, reports Marijuana Moment.
The Monitoring the Future survey, which has tracked youth drug use since 1975, showed that in 2021:
- 7.1% of kids in Grade 8 said they used cannabis vs. 11.4% in 2020
- 17.3% of kids in Grade 10 said they used cannabis vs. 28% in 2020
- 30.5% of 12th graders said they used cannabis vs. 35.2% in 2020
The big picture
While industry advocates might be eager to take credit, it’s likely that limited social interaction drove much of the decrease. However, it’s a compelling knock against legalization foes that legalization within various states didn’t drive an increase.
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Private stores give provincial retailers a run for their money
While Alberta’s provincially run e-commerce site will be replaced by private retailers with new permission to deliver, Ontario’s provincial e-commerce site reported that regulated sales have surpassed regulated sales in Canada’s most populous province in its Quarterly Review (July 1 – Sept. 30, 2021).
More takeaways
- There are now 1,115 brick-and-mortar stores open in Canada’s largest Province
- Stores sold $376,400,000 vs. $17,500,000 through the OCS, government-run site
- Dried flower is still the most popular category at 52% of sales
The top 5 SKUs are
- Pink Kush by Pure Sunfarms
- Redees Cold Creek Kush Pre-Rolls by Redecan
- Redees Wappa Pre-Rolls by Redecan
- Jean Guy Pre-Rolls by Good Supply
- Tropic Thunder by SHRED
The PACT Act shuts down Puffco
California’s Puffco vaping hardware company is “temporarily shutting down” after amendments to the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act halted the company’s ability to ship products through the USPS, reports Leafly.
“Earlier this year the PACT Act restricted our shipping capabilities, leading us to find alternative carriers and new logistics methods to deliver our products to you,” reads a message sent to customers. “We understand that many of our customers are experiencing delays and inconsistent order tracking.”
Not shutting down
Puffco said they are not closing indefinitely and sales will resume once they’ve caught up.
The big picture
Puffco’s challenge is just the first high-profile example of how the PACT Act is impacting cannabis vape companies. 2022 will likely bring more challenges.
Germany’s Dermapharm C3 acquisition shows it’s serious about cannabis
Canopy Growth’s divestment of C3 to German pharmaceutical company Dermapharm shows serious interest in medical cannabis, reports BusinessCann.
“With the acquisition of the C³ Group, we are once again securing access to the growth market for cannabis and at the same time opening up further distribution channels in Europe,” said Dermapharm CEO Dr. Hans-Georg Feldmeier.
The big picture
More importantly, it signals the European market will continue to open up in 2022. “In the course of the expected legalisation, we assume increasing acceptance and additional momentum for future business development,” he said.
