Ontario’s biggest weed dealer is considering a retail price of around $10 a gram in a system that could bring a tax windfall of more than $100 million a year.
That $10 fee — estimated after New Brunswick signed deals with two suppliers last week — is on the radar as officials here determine a price for recreational marijuana when it becomes legal next July 1, says Finance Minister Charles Sousa.
“It’s certainly something we’re giving consideration to,” Sousa told reporters Wednesday.
“We’re trying to work with all of our colleagues across Canada,” Sousa said, noting federal and provincial finance ministers will meet later this year on pricing and taxation levels.
“The intent is to have some uniformity with these prices across Canada.”
It’s crucial to have prices in line with neighbouring jurisdictions and to “ensure it’s not overly expensive” to avoid fuelling illegal sales in the underground economy, Sousa added.
Critics have warned the government monopoly on pot sales will not kill the black market.
Sousa would not speculate on how much the sale of recreational cannabis could bring to provincial coffers.
