The Impact of Excise Taxes on Canadian Cannabis
The TDR Three Key Takeaways on Cannabis and Canadian Taxes:
- The Canadian cannabis industry faces challenges from high excise taxes, affecting financial stability.
- Reform proposals for the Canadian cannabis industry aim to cap excise duties, seeking tax fairness.
- Stakeholders in the Canadian cannabis industry advocate for tax reforms to ensure sustainability.
The Canadian cannabis industry is currently experiencing significant challenges, primarily due to the substantial impact of excise taxes. This financial pressure is exacerbating issues within the industry, from macroeconomic difficulties to increased insolvency rates. A notable rise in uncollectible excise taxes, reaching nearly 50 million Canadian dollars as of early 2024, and a significant increase in canceled federal marijuana business licenses in 2023 highlight the sector’s financial distress. An interview with Tanner Stewart of Stewart Farms in MJ Biz draws attention to how excise taxes are harming companies’ financial stability, forcing some to shift their focus from the domestic recreational market to sectors with more favorable tax conditions, such as medical and exports.
Furthermore, the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) has suggested adjustments to the excise duty formula for cannabis. These recommendations aim to cap the excise duty at 10%, an attempt to lessen the tax burden that has grown as cannabis prices have decreased since its legalization in 2018. Although this proposal acknowledges the tax structure’s detrimental effect on the cannabis industry, Pierre Leclerc from the Quebec Association of the Hemp and Cannabis Industry points out the significant political and logistical challenges to implementing these recommendations.
In addition, Canadian marijuana companies have highlighted the stark contrast in tax relief measures between the cannabis and alcohol sectors. This comparison underscores a perceived unfairness that jeopardizes the sustainability and growth of small marijuna producers. Unlike the alcohol industry, which recently benefited from an excise duty cap, cannabis businesses have yet to receive similar financial support. This situation raises concerns about the government’s commitment to ensuring a fair competitive environment across different controlled substances sectors.The cannabis industry is facing a complex array of regulatory, financial, and operational challenges that demand a careful approach to excise tax reform. While adjustments to the excise stamp requirement and the flat-rate tax structure are critical, achieving tax parity with other industries is a broader and more contentious issue. Stakeholders across the cannabis industry, from large to small producers, are calling for a tax regime that addresses the unique challenges of the cannabis sector and supports its sustainability against both legal and illegal competition. The ongoing discussions about excise tax reform highlight the urgent need for policies that accommodate the economic realities of the cannabis industry, promoting its continued growth within Canada’s economic landscape. Want to keep up to date with all of TDR’s research and news, subscribe to our daily Baked In newsletter.
