Why More Canadians Are Choosing Cannabis This Holiday Season
The holidays have a very specific kind of energy in Canada. Think: a swirl of office parties, family dinners, cross-country travel, and the annual sprint to find a gift that feels thoughtful but not last-minute. It’s joyful, yes. But it’s also busy, bustling, and, let’s be honest, occasionally overwhelming. Somewhere between the Secret Santa exchange and the third cousins you only see in December, many adults look for small, discreet ways to unwind or enjoy themselves without disrupting the rhythm of the season.
And increasingly, that reality includes cannabis: not as something fringe or countercultural, but as a normal part of adult social life.
Fresh national polling from Abacus Data (commissioned by Organigram Global) makes the shift unmistakable: 63% of Canadians now consider cannabis at least moderately socially acceptable.” Nearly one in three Canadian adults (31%) have consumed cannabis in the past year, and consumption isn’t concentrated among younger demographics. In fact, it spans age groups, suggesting a more integrated cultural shift.
Comfort levels are rising just as quickly. Fifty-eight percent of Canadians say they feel comfortable being around other adults who use cannabis in social settings, even if they don’t consume themselves. And when asked what appeals to them most, Canadians gravitate toward the formats that feel the most intuitive: edibles (46%), beverages (32%), and vapes (28%). It all adds up to a broader cultural sentiment: 57% of Canadians believe cannabis is now a normal part of adult life.
What’s especially interesting is how this shift shows up during the holiday season. Organigram’s data reveals that December is the single biggest month of the year for non-combustible cannabis formats. That is, the discreet, ready-to-go options that fit naturally into today’s social environments. It’s not hard to see why. The holidays amplify the appeal of formats that are portable, predictable, and won’t leave a lingering smell.
Cannabis beverages, for example, see a 34.3% sales uplift around Christmas, reflecting their place in festive, shareable moments. They act as an adult alternative for those moderating alcohol or simply looking for something different at a holiday gathering. Edibles (gummies, in particular) consistently hit their annual peak in December, largely thanks to their familiarity, easy dosing, and their role as thoughtful, adult-appropriate stocking stuffers. And for the busiest social calendars, vapes offer discretion and simplicity, aligning with the rhythm of holiday events where slipping outside for a smoke simply isn’t practical.
As Canadian attitudes continue to evolve, these formats are finding a quiet, comfortable place in the rituals of the season. Not as a replacement for long-standing traditions, but as a modern addition to them. And that can mean anything from unwinding after hosting, sharing a festive drink with friends, or choosing gifts that suit the adults in your life.
In a holiday landscape that’s always shifting, one thing is clear: cannabis isn’t the outlier it once was. It’s becoming another way Canadians curate their seasonal experience: responsibly, thoughtfully, and very much on their own terms.
