October 30, 2025 – Today, the Cannabis Council of Canada (C3) released an important public opinion study conducted on their behalf by Pollara Strategic Insights. The survey reveals that Canadians support a range of policies that, if introduced, would help the industry thrive. These policies include reducing the hidden excise tax on licensed producers, cracking down and eradicating the illicit market, and helping the Canadian cannabis industry continue to lead and grow globally. The survey results were presented earlier today by Pollara’s Craig Worden at the Council’s Cannabis At The Crossroads conference in Ottawa.
- Public acceptance is calculated by combining approval and ambivalence, as the ambivalent cohort effectively provides tacit approval, tends to exhibit more positive perceptions of cannabis and legalization, and tends to express approval when forced to choose.
Turning to the public policy proposals tested in the survey, about seven-in-ten (69%) Canadians support the federal government introducing a strategy to better combat, reduce, and eliminate the illicit cannabis market – with just 16% opposed.
- It is noteworthy that 15% of the public is unsure of their stance on this matter, likely due to a lack familiarity with the subject matter. When this cohort is removed from the results, in order to only examine opinion amongst those Canadians who hold an opinion, we find that 81% support this proposed initiative.
Turning to another policy tested in the survey, a majority (54%) of Canadians also support the federal government adopting policies that help Canadian cannabis companies be global leaders in their industry – with only 24% opposed.
- Two-in-ten (22%)Canadians are unsure of their stance on this proposal – again, likely due to a lack of familiarity with the topic. When this cohort is removed from the results, to focus on those who hold an opinion on the matter, we find that seven-in-ten (70%) support this policy.
Finally, a majority (52%) of Canadians support the federal government reducing the current excise tax rate (a hidden tax) paid by legal cannabis producers – with only 24% opposed.
- A quarter (24%) of Canadians are unsure of their stance – with low familiarity being the likely cause. When this cohort is removed from the results, to focus on those who hold an opinion, we find that about seven-in-ten (69%) support reducing the excise tax.
Moreover, when Canadians are informed about the federal and provincial excise taxes levied on legal cannabis producers – and the impacts on the financial health and stability of these companies – 53% feel that the federal government and their provincial government should reduce these hidden taxes.
- When the two-in-ten who are unsure of their opinion on this issue are removed from the question, in order to only examine opinion amongst those Canadians who hold an opinion, we find that two-thirds support both levels of government reducing their excise taxes.
For more details – including results by province – see the Cannabis Council of Canada (C3) press release at their website, our report, and the associated data tables.
