Newly released data from Statistics Canada shows the Yukon is the country’s new cannabis capital among provinces and territories.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, the average Yukoner of legal age spent $384 on cannabis — a full $100 more than any other jurisdiction, according to sales data the agency released on March 5.

“I feel like that number is low,” said Jordi Mikeli-Jones, owner of Triple J’s Canna Space in Whitehorse. 

Mikeli-Jones said she wouldn’t have been surprised to hear $384 was the monthly or even weekly amount that customers in the Yukon were spending on cannabis. 

“Our basket size is generally between $60 and $100 per purchase, and we see hundreds of people through the shop every day,” she said. 

The Yukon ranks second in alcohol sales next to the Northwest Territories. According to the Statistics Canada data, the average amount a person of legal age spent on alcohol in the Yukon in 2024-25 was $1,144, while in the N.W.T. it was $1,558.

However, it’s possible that people are increasingly choosing to replace their beer and wine habit with joints and edibles. Data from the Yukon Bureau of Statistics, covering the 2024-25 fiscal year, showed cannabis sales increased by the same amount that alcohol sales decreased — $1.4 million. 

Still, Yukon alcohol sales still come out far ahead, with retail sales for the last fiscal year coming in at $42.9 million, while cannabis sales totalled $14.4 million, according to the Yukon Bureau of Statistics data.

Long, cold winters to blame?

When CBC News asked residents in downtown Whitehorse why they think cannabis sales are so high, many pointed to the Yukon’s frigid temperatures and long hours many people spend inside. 

“I guess that’s maybe a product of long, cold winters and not having much else to do,” said Anthony Price. 

Several residents see a potential shift from alcohol to cannabis as positive. 

“I just think it’s hilarious,” said Mary Sloan. “I think it’s great. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s really great for people who love to use it.” 

Sloan says she knows a number of people who have replaced alcohol with cannabis, and believes cannabis could be a healthier option. 

Others cited the potential for reduced rates of violence and drunk driving.

Young people may be driving the change

“The younger generation is drinking less and smoking weed more,” said Emily Denis, who is sober. “In a lot of our circles, we don’t drink. The older generations, I think they grew up drinking a lot more.” 

In 2023, Statistics Canada found the 18-22-year-old demographic was most likely to report not having had any alcoholic drinks in the last week. 

“Personally, I don’t enjoy it, I would prefer to do something else,” said Denis. “I like my hobbies, spending time with my friends, being outdoors, and I feel like drinking inhibits that … I can be more present when I’m not drinking.”

But Price said decreasing alcohol consumption could signal a change in habits, with more people choosing to spend time behind screens than out in the world.

“Alcohol is generally a social lubricant, so if you’re doing most of your entertainment kind of on your own devices or on computers, it’s less likely you’d be drinking socially,” said Price.

“I don’t want to prop up alcohol consumption, but I do think being social is better than mediating all your interactions through devices.”

Alcohol sales have generally been plunging across the country. The Statistics Canada figures show the decline between 2024 and 2025 was the largest annual decrease recorded since data became available 20 years ago.