Best Canadian Cannabis Companies

In 2018, marijuana became federally legal in Canada, opening the floodgates to an industry that was already doing well producing and distributing medical marijuana, which was legalized nationwide in 2001. 

Canada was the first country to legalize cannabis for medical use. Many countries had decriminalized it or legalized it recreationally, but just as many U.S. states have done, Canada’s legalization started with medical use, and recreational use followed some years later. 

This article will take a look at some of the best Canadian cannabis companies, taking into account cannabis revenue and consumer reviews. 

Best Canadian Cannabis Companies

In 2021, the Canadian cannabis industry reached an all-time high, being valued at $3.8 billion Canadian dollars ($2.9 billion USD). 

Canopy Growth Corp.

For a short time in 2019, Ontario’s Canopy Growth Corp. was the largest cannabis company in the world based on the total value of all shares. It was founded in 2013 when two other Canadian cannabis companies, Tweed Marijuana and Bedrocan Canada merged. 

Its estimated revenue in 2021 was $607 million Canadian dollars ($470 million USD), and it was responsible for a double-digit percentage of Canada’s cannabis market share. 

One of the co-founders of the company, Chuck Rifici, is known to many as the godfather of Canadian cannabis, and customer and employee reviews point to obvious attention to detail, which can be hard to maintain with such a large corporation. 

Rifici is also involved in politics and is a vocal proponent of the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use.  

OrganiGram

OrganiGram functioned almost solely in the medical cannabis sector but recently joined the recreational side. The Ontario company has nearly 1,000 employees and is on the rise. 

Though it had a considerable legal issue a few years ago about pesticides, the company has come back with a reported 88% growth from 2020 to 2021. Like some U.S. companies, the company offers many products only to its medical patients. However, it’s not difficult to gain medical patient status, and the OrganiGram website allows you to become a patient in two easy steps. 

Founded in 2013, the company continues to grow its patient base and product offerings. Here is a list of some of its hottest products in 2022:

• Edison Cannabis Co.
• Shred
• Trailblazer Cannabis
• Monjour
• Laurentian Craft Flower
• Big Bag O’ Buds
• Tremblant Cannabis

TerrAscend Corp.

Priding itself as a North American operator, TerrAscend is the first cannabis company on this list that operates in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., it has fully integrated operations in five states, but the company focuses primarily on production in Canada. 

While it is becoming a norm in the industry to have a hand in all parts of the production and sales processes, TerrAscend has found a niche in Canada as a top-notch grower and provider of cannabis products whose quality does not falter. 

While it’s still illegal to import cannabis for sale in the U.S., TerrAscend and Canada as a whole have been leaders in the international distribution of the product where legal. Hopes for the company are that legalities will continue to be liberalized and that it can take a dive into the U.S. market if that opportunity arises. 

Aphria

Aphria, a subsidiary of Tilray Medical, continues to operate solely in the medical sector, but it is touted for its quality products and dedication to its patients. It is also dedicated to helping Canadian veterans with affordable access to its products and believes that cannabis treatment for mental issues can help many people in Canada and elsewhere.  

All its plants are greenhouse grown, and it offers a quick and easy means to becoming a patient so that you can legally purchase products. 

It offers a full array of medical products, including oils, tinctures, vape pens and flower. All products are produced in-house and named after Canadian lakes. 

In 2021, its revenue was a touch under $500 million Canadian dollars ($388 million USD), which is an increase from the last two years. 

HEXO Corp.

Winners of two prestigious Canadian cannabis awards last year — Master Grower OTY and Innovative Product OTY — at the Canadian Grow Up Awards, HEXO Corp. has a measurable dedication to pushing innovation within the legal cannabis industry. 

HEXO doesn’t directly produce products under the HEXO name, but it has a large collection of cannabis producers, each with a lot of respect in the industry as high-quality producers. Here are some of its more popular brands:

• Redecan
• UP
• Original Stash
• Namaste
• 48North
• Bake Sale
• Latitude Cannabis
• Re-Up

HEXO’s revenue in 2021 was $123.5 million Canadian dollars ($97 million USD) and has risen each year of its existence. 

Aurora Cannabis Inc.

Aurora is an investment company with an affinity for the cannabis space, especially companies involved in innovation. It originally operated in Europe, but it has a reputation for getting involved early in other places with budding cannabis industries. 

Not a lot of information is available for this company, but financial records show a fairly substantial decline in revenue from 2020 to 2021 ($126 million to $100 million). 

Village Farms International Inc.

With more than three decades of business in Canada, Village Farms has stuck to a plan that promotes sustainability, clean energy and good products. It began in the medical sector and its products focus on healing powers. 

Here is a list of some of its primary growers:

• Village Farms
• Pure Sunfarms
• ROSE LifeScience
• Balanced Health Botanicals
• Leli Holland
• Village Fields Hemp
• VF Clean Energy

The British Columbia-based company does a lot of international business and also produces other farm-fresh products outside of the cannabis industry. 

How to Buy Cannabis Legally in Canada

Dispensaries in Canada are government-run, which means access isn’t as easy as in the United States, but since legalization in 2018, things like delivery and online ordering has become easier. 

Things to Know:

• You must be 19 and some provinces are pushing for 21.
• No residency is required.
• Crossing the border is illegal in both directions, even into border states where cannabis is legal, such as Washington.
• A person can possess 30 grams.
• It is a crime to share with minors.
• Prices are generally cheaper than in the U.S. (pre-rolls for less than $5 USD).
• Delivery usually requires a Canadian credit card.
• Public smoking laws vary from province to province, but it's safest to light up at home or in your Airbnb.
• Cannabis must be sealed in the trunk when transporting it from a dispensary.

Where Can You Buy Cannabis in Canada?

Laws surrounding cannabis sales are still province-dependent, but if you’re in a place that’s hip to dispensaries, check out this quick reference for buying cannabis in Canada:

• Storefront: Here, personnel will check your ID, but you don’t need to be a Canadian citizen. Trained salespeople will help you navigate varieties of flower, oils and clones, although edibles are not yet available at dispensaries. 
• Delivery: Product options are the same with deliveries; however, some companies will only allow payment via Canadian credit cards, meaning the storefront is a better bet if you’re on vacation from outside the country. 

Frequently Asked Questions