Organigram Global Inc., Canada’s largest cannabis company by market share, has released a groundbreaking report showing just how much legal cannabis contributes to the country’s economy. Titled High Impact, Green Growth: The Economic Footprint of Canada’s Cannabis Industry, the study was produced with the Business Data Lab at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and highlights the sector’s vital role in jobs, innovation and national GDP.
According to the report, Canada’s legal cannabis industry generated more than $16 billion in national GDP in 2024, creating nearly $29 billion in total economic output. The direct GDP contribution alone reached $8.4 billion — more than forestry and logging, breweries, and wineries combined. With over 227,000 jobs supported nationwide, including 168,000 directly in cultivation and retail, the industry has become a cornerstone of the Canadian economy.
Beena Goldenberg, CEO of Organigram Global, noted that the industry already reflects the Prime Minister’s “One Canadian Economy” vision by being built in Canada, employing Canadians and competing globally. She stressed that with bold leadership, cannabis can continue to grow as a driver of GDP and national resilience.
Andrew DiCapua, principal economist with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, echoed these sentiments. He said the legal cannabis sector is not just an emerging market but a nationwide network with an impact on GDP felt coast to coast. Its vast supply chain — from cultivation to logistics and professional services — exemplifies the type of high-value industry Canada needs to sustain long-term GDP growth.
The report also compared cannabis to traditional crops. In New Brunswick, legal cannabis is now the most valuable crop, surpassing potatoes and dairy. Nationally, cannabis farm receipts hit $2.7 billion in 2024, outpacing greenhouse and field vegetables, further reinforcing its contribution to GDP.
However, the study warns that outdated tax structures and a lack of a national export strategy are preventing Canada from realizing the full GDP potential of its cannabis sector. With the global cannabis market projected to exceed CAD $140 billion by 2026, Canada risks losing its first-mover advantage unless policies are modernized.
Goldenberg concluded that if Canada is serious about building the strongest economy in the G7, industries like cannabis — already a $16 billion engine of jobs and innovation — must be treated as pillars of national GDP growth.
