Michael J Armstrong
@profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Associate professor of operations research at Brock University. I teach quality improvement & game theory. I research the economic aspects of cannabis legalization.
https://brocku.ca/goodman/faculty-research/faculty-directory/michael-armstrong/
https://brocku.ca/goodman/faculty-research/faculty-directory/michael-armstrong/
Canadian college & university enrollments rose 5.8% in 2023-2024. That was the last year before the federal government began limiting international student visas. Business, social sciences, & health care remained the 3 biggest fields.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
November 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Canadian college & university enrollments rose 5.8% in 2023-2024. That was the last year before the federal government began limiting international student visas. Business, social sciences, & health care remained the 3 biggest fields.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
12% fewer Canadians have visited the USA by air.
November 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
12% fewer Canadians have visited the USA by air.
30% fewer Canadians have visited the USA by land in 2025 so far, compared to 2024.
November 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
30% fewer Canadians have visited the USA by land in 2025 so far, compared to 2024.
Data source: Statistics Canada counts of returning Canadian travelers.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-60...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-60...
September 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Data source: Statistics Canada counts of returning Canadian travelers.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-60...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-60...
By contrast, 8% more Canadians are flying overseas in 2025. It seems that about 70% of those who would normally fly to the USA flew overseas instead.
September 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
By contrast, 8% more Canadians are flying overseas in 2025. It seems that about 70% of those who would normally fly to the USA flew overseas instead.
Canadian retail prices over the past 12 months fell 2.4% for recreational cannabis but rose 2.6% for alcohol & 1.3% for tobacco.
Since Dec 2018, prices are down 30% for cannabis, but up 18% for alcohol & 45% for tobacco.
Ref: StatsCan
doi.org/10.25318/181...
Since Dec 2018, prices are down 30% for cannabis, but up 18% for alcohol & 45% for tobacco.
Ref: StatsCan
doi.org/10.25318/181...
August 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Canadian retail prices over the past 12 months fell 2.4% for recreational cannabis but rose 2.6% for alcohol & 1.3% for tobacco.
Since Dec 2018, prices are down 30% for cannabis, but up 18% for alcohol & 45% for tobacco.
Ref: StatsCan
doi.org/10.25318/181...
Since Dec 2018, prices are down 30% for cannabis, but up 18% for alcohol & 45% for tobacco.
Ref: StatsCan
doi.org/10.25318/181...
3. Across NSLC stores that sold only alcohol, total monthly sales averaged roughly $800K ⬇️ lower than before legalization.
But across those that began selling cannabis, monthly alcohol sales instead totaled $300K ⬆️ higher!
Differences were bigger for 🍺 beers & coolers than 🍷 wines or spirits.
But across those that began selling cannabis, monthly alcohol sales instead totaled $300K ⬆️ higher!
Differences were bigger for 🍺 beers & coolers than 🍷 wines or spirits.
May 21, 2025 at 2:29 PM
3. Across NSLC stores that sold only alcohol, total monthly sales averaged roughly $800K ⬇️ lower than before legalization.
But across those that began selling cannabis, monthly alcohol sales instead totaled $300K ⬆️ higher!
Differences were bigger for 🍺 beers & coolers than 🍷 wines or spirits.
But across those that began selling cannabis, monthly alcohol sales instead totaled $300K ⬆️ higher!
Differences were bigger for 🍺 beers & coolers than 🍷 wines or spirits.
2. After legalization, total NSLC monthly alcohol sales quickly dropped & then slowly recovered. From Oct 2018 to Feb 2020, they averaged about $500K (1.2%) ⬇️ below pre-legalization levels.
May 21, 2025 at 2:29 PM
2. After legalization, total NSLC monthly alcohol sales quickly dropped & then slowly recovered. From Oct 2018 to Feb 2020, they averaged about $500K (1.2%) ⬇️ below pre-legalization levels.
Consumers smoked dried cannabis less & ate edibles more.
This product switch seemed related to declining prices, not expanding stores.
Edibles’ use grew less in Quebec; it banned most of those products. 5/6
This product switch seemed related to declining prices, not expanding stores.
Edibles’ use grew less in Quebec; it banned most of those products. 5/6
March 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Consumers smoked dried cannabis less & ate edibles more.
This product switch seemed related to declining prices, not expanding stores.
Edibles’ use grew less in Quebec; it banned most of those products. 5/6
This product switch seemed related to declining prices, not expanding stores.
Edibles’ use grew less in Quebec; it banned most of those products. 5/6
The average age of 1st-time consumers rose slightly as more older adults tried cannabis.
This was the only trend that seemed related to both falling prices & expanding stores. 4/6
This was the only trend that seemed related to both falling prices & expanding stores. 4/6
March 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The average age of 1st-time consumers rose slightly as more older adults tried cannabis.
This was the only trend that seemed related to both falling prices & expanding stores. 4/6
This was the only trend that seemed related to both falling prices & expanding stores. 4/6
The percentage using cannabis also rose among Canadians aged 25+ but not among those aged 16-24.
The older adult’s gain seemed related to falling prices, not expanding stores. 3/6
The older adult’s gain seemed related to falling prices, not expanding stores. 3/6
March 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The percentage using cannabis also rose among Canadians aged 25+ but not among those aged 16-24.
The older adult’s gain seemed related to falling prices, not expanding stores. 3/6
The older adult’s gain seemed related to falling prices, not expanding stores. 3/6
The percentage of Canadians using cannabis rose slightly among women but not among men.
My analysis indicated the women’s gain seemed related to falling prices, but not to expanding store availability. 2/6
My analysis indicated the women’s gain seemed related to falling prices, but not to expanding store availability. 2/6
March 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The percentage of Canadians using cannabis rose slightly among women but not among men.
My analysis indicated the women’s gain seemed related to falling prices, but not to expanding store availability. 2/6
My analysis indicated the women’s gain seemed related to falling prices, but not to expanding store availability. 2/6
Monthly beer producer sales (in product liters per capita) during 12 months before & 12 months after showed no significant change. They continued their downward trend. Sales did decrease in 2017 & increase in 2020.
February 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Monthly beer producer sales (in product liters per capita) during 12 months before & 12 months after showed no significant change. They continued their downward trend. Sales did decrease in 2017 & increase in 2020.
Monthly total retail sales (in Canadian $) during 12 months before legalization & 12 months after showed no significant change. Sales did jump after COVID-19 arrived in Mar 2020.
February 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Monthly total retail sales (in Canadian $) during 12 months before legalization & 12 months after showed no significant change. Sales did jump after COVID-19 arrived in Mar 2020.
Annual total sales (in ethanol liters per capita) during 2004-2022 showed no meaningful change. But as was known in industry, Canadians gradually switched from beers to other alcoholic drinks like coolers & ciders.
February 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Annual total sales (in ethanol liters per capita) during 2004-2022 showed no meaningful change. But as was known in industry, Canadians gradually switched from beers to other alcoholic drinks like coolers & ciders.
Similarly, average medical cannabis prices are now 16% lower than in Dec 2018, whereas prescribed medicine prices are 5% higher.
January 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Similarly, average medical cannabis prices are now 16% lower than in Dec 2018, whereas prescribed medicine prices are 5% higher.
Statistics Canada data today show alcoholic beverage prices fell 4% in Dec 2018 (due to a sales tax break), whereas recreational cannabis prices were unchanged (they got no break).
Despite that, cannabis prices are now 29% lower than in Dec 2018, whereas alcohol prices are 12% higher.
Despite that, cannabis prices are now 29% lower than in Dec 2018, whereas alcohol prices are 12% higher.
January 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Statistics Canada data today show alcoholic beverage prices fell 4% in Dec 2018 (due to a sales tax break), whereas recreational cannabis prices were unchanged (they got no break).
Despite that, cannabis prices are now 29% lower than in Dec 2018, whereas alcohol prices are 12% higher.
Despite that, cannabis prices are now 29% lower than in Dec 2018, whereas alcohol prices are 12% higher.
Canada's legal recreational cannabis sales in Oct 2024 totaled $444 million CAD, up 1.5% from 12 months prior. (Data source: Statistics Canada)
That equals $13.09 per person age 18+.
That equals $13.09 per person age 18+.
December 20, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Canada's legal recreational cannabis sales in Oct 2024 totaled $444 million CAD, up 1.5% from 12 months prior. (Data source: Statistics Canada)
That equals $13.09 per person age 18+.
That equals $13.09 per person age 18+.
Canada's legal recreational cannabis sales were $444M CAD in Sep 2024. Past-12-month sales totaled $5.15B, up 2.5% year-over-year.
During the 6 years since legalization in Oct 2018, sales have totaled $21.3B.
During the 6 years since legalization in Oct 2018, sales have totaled $21.3B.
November 22, 2024 at 8:58 PM
Canada's legal recreational cannabis sales were $444M CAD in Sep 2024. Past-12-month sales totaled $5.15B, up 2.5% year-over-year.
During the 6 years since legalization in Oct 2018, sales have totaled $21.3B.
During the 6 years since legalization in Oct 2018, sales have totaled $21.3B.
The mean size of patients' cannabis purchases remained stable after the law passed & after stores opened. But it began rising steadily when edibles arrived.
October 7, 2024 at 4:55 PM
The mean size of patients' cannabis purchases remained stable after the law passed & after stores opened. But it began rising steadily when edibles arrived.
Among registered patients, purchase frequencies had been decreasing. That didn't change when the law passed but accelerated slightly after legal stores opened.
Purchase frequencies stabilized after edibles became available.
Purchase frequencies stabilized after edibles became available.
October 7, 2024 at 4:53 PM
Among registered patients, purchase frequencies had been decreasing. That didn't change when the law passed but accelerated slightly after legal stores opened.
Purchase frequencies stabilized after edibles became available.
Purchase frequencies stabilized after edibles became available.
Patient registrations slowed after the law passed in Jun 2018. The province with the highest rate, Alberta, saw it plummet. Provinces with low rates saw them keep rising.
Registrations didn't change when legal sales began in Oct 2018, but fell more after edibles became legal in Dec 2019.
Registrations didn't change when legal sales began in Oct 2018, but fell more after edibles became legal in Dec 2019.
October 7, 2024 at 4:50 PM
Patient registrations slowed after the law passed in Jun 2018. The province with the highest rate, Alberta, saw it plummet. Provinces with low rates saw them keep rising.
Registrations didn't change when legal sales began in Oct 2018, but fell more after edibles became legal in Dec 2019.
Registrations didn't change when legal sales began in Oct 2018, but fell more after edibles became legal in Dec 2019.