When comparing cannabis prices in Canada to the US, Canadian weed is approximately 30% cheaper. Even so, British Columbia has the best reputation across North America for growing the best cannabis for reasonable prices.
Legalization
One of the reasons Canadian cannabis is cheaper is because it has a history of legalization. Cannabis was legalized for medicinal use in Canada in 2001 and recreational use in 2018, while currently, there are only 18 states in the US that have legalized cannabis recreationally.
Why does legalization matter? A longer history of legalization means a larger supply of legal cannabis growers and sellers in Canada. Additionally, publicly traded companies have an easier time raising funds. The US’s messiness of federal versus state law means that the cannabis economy is limited to isolated states since you cannot legally transport cannabis between states.
History of Cannabis in British Columbia
There is a long history of cannabis use in British Columbia. According to the Fraser Institute, in 2000, there were approximately 17,500 cannabis grow-ops in the province. (Learn more about the current licensed producers in BC and across the country here.) In 2004, several universities conducted studies that noted that more than half of BC residents had consumed cannabis at least once in their lives.
Some focus on the 1960s as the beginning of cannabis growth in Canada as draft dodgers moved north with cannabis seeds and found fertile land for cannabis cultivation. While this significantly impacted the landscape of cannabis growth in BC, numerous farmers grew cannabis several years before this migration.
Cultivation of Cannabis in BC – How BC Growers Grow Weed Cheaper
There are several reasons why Canada quickly became a great place to grow cannabis. The climate in BC is perfect for growing cannabis. Not only does BC have the mildest climate in Canada, but it gets a significant amount of rainfall. The Kootenays, the southeastern region of BC near the Rockies and the Kootenay River, is one of the best places for outdoor cannabis cultivation. Not only does it have rich, fertile soil, but clean rocky mountain water too.
Of course, cannabis is grown across the province, some of which are indoors. The production of hydroelectric power helps to keep down the costs of indoor cannabis cultivation.
The natural land of BC also made cultivation pre-legalization easier for many growers.
All of BC is 944,000 sq/km, but that doesn’t mean much to most people. It’s more than double the size of California (424,000 sq/km), while the population of BC is just over 5 million, and the population of California approaches 40 million. So, not only is there ample space for growing cannabis, the hills and dense forests made it easier to keep growing hidden. It led to BC having a head start in cannabis production and brought many people interested in cannabis to the province.
Growing and Harvesting Cannabis in Large Quantities
The space available in BC allows cannabis farmers to grow cannabis in large quantities. In 2020, SpeakEasy Cannabis harvested 60,000 cannabis plants on their outdoor cannabis farm in Rock Creek, BC. This crop resulted in approximately 70,000 kg of cannabis – the largest harvest in Canada. Having the opportunity to grow outdoors in a mild climate like BC helps reduce costs, so cannabis dispensaries can sell weed cheaper.
However, growing in large quantities does not mean a compromise in quality. Cannabis has been grown in BC since the 1930s, so British Columbia’s growers have developed the skills necessary to produce the best quality cannabis flower.
Check out the websites for some top cannabis cultivators and learn about how they grow their cannabis flowers and their environmental commitments.
The attitude of British Columbians has had a significant impact on the growth of cannabis and the overall cannabis industry. British Columbians tend to be laid back – whether this results from a flourishing cannabis culture or cannabis flourished because of this BC attitude, we will never know. We know that despite BC having one of the highest numbers of cannabis consumers in the country, the number of charges related to cannabis was relatively low. For the most part, law enforcement turned a blind eye to cannabis possession.
Our Two Favourite BC Cannabis Strains
There are so many incredible cannabis strains grown in BC, but our two favourites are:
Pink Kush
Pink Kush is one of the most popular cannabis strains in Canada, and for a good reason. It’s an indica-dominant hybrid that has powerful body effects – even in small doses. While it does have some pink hairs from which it got its name, the most noticeable thing about this strain is its smell. It has a sweet berry and vanilla scent that also makes it taste great.
MK Ultra
MK Ultra is another indica-leaning hybrid, but it has a more cerebral effect, unlike Pink Kush. They’re a shorter bud, with sticky, dense flowers that have a sweet, piney smell. MK Ultra won 1st place Indica at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 2003 and placed 2nd in 2004.
Final Thoughts
Canada’s early legalization of medicinal and recreational cannabis gave the industry a head start. British Columbia is a cannabis leader in Canada. It is an ideal place for growing cannabis and offers various growth opportunities. On top of the perfect growing environment, growers have the knowledge and skills that resulted in numerous leading BC cannabis strains growing in large quantities. All of these factors have led BC budtenders to be able to sell cheaper cannabis products.
Are you looking for your favourite cannabis strain at the best price? Check out our online dispensary and get all your cannabis products shipped directly to you.