The average price of a gram of legal recreational marijuana was 30% more than the same amount from an illegal supplier.
Statistics Canada says between the October 17th legalization date and December 31st, a gram of pot purchased through legal channels sold for $9.70 on average. The same data shows black market cannabis sold for about $6.51.
The agency also notes the average amount of non-medical cannabis purchased from an illegal supplier was more than double the quantity bought from government-run stores or websites, averaging at about 17.2 grams from illegal suppliers, compared with 8.3 grams from legal outlets.
However, availability of legal cannabis amid widespread product shortages across Canada since legalization day may be a contributing factor.