An update on cannabis products, cannabinoid content, plant type, and prices five years after legalization in Ontario, Canada

Abstract Introduction Changing trends in legal recreational cannabis markets necessitates the continuous monitoring of important market metrics such as price, potency, type, and availability of cannabis products which may influence consumer purchasing behavior. After initial legalization of recreational cannabis use in Canada in 2018 and expansion of the legal market in 2019, an increase in product types and decrease in prices were observed. The purpose of the present study was to provide an update on products on offer to cannabis consumers in Ontario, the largest Cannabis market in Canada, five years after initial federal legalization of non-medical cannabis use. Method Data were obtained from the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) Website, the sole wholesaler and online market in Ontario between January and April 2024. Information on product type, prices, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) potency and plant type was extracted and products were grouped by OCS categories and sub-categories, and by route of administration (Inhaled, ingestible, topical and others). Results A total of 1727 products were mapped, of which the majority available were inhaled products, sub-divided into smoking, vaping or concentrates (n = 1271). The majority of inhaled products were predominantly indica-dominant while most ingestible products (e. g. edibles) were mainly sativa-dominant. Most inhaled products were “very strong products”, i. e. , THC potency of 20% or greater (greater than 97%, 96% and 99% of all dried flower, vaping and concentrate products, respectively). All edibles were within the legally acceptable limit of 10 mg of THC per container. Average prices were lowest for dried flower products (7. 91/g) among inhaled products (pre-rolls: 9. 65/g, 510 thread cartridges: 37. 7/g, infused flower: 18. 66/g). Compared to our previous study in 2022, which utilized data from the same website and similar extraction methods, the total number of products on the legal market declined, while the number of edible products (particularly gummies) and disposable vapes, increased. Prices of all flower products (p < 0. 001), most abundant vapes (disposable vapes and thread cartridges: p < 0. 001) and soft chews (p < 0. 027) decreased in 2024 compared to 2022 at the 5% significance level. Conversely, THC potencies of products available generally increased (p < 0. 05). Discussion Given the trend of decreasing price and changes in products available, continuous monitoring of the cannabis market is vital. This is necessary to assess the consequences of legalization and inform legal amendments such as price control and potency limits that may curb potential negative consequences possible with the current market trend.