The Rise of Multipacks: How Canada’s Cannabis Edibles Market is Evolving
- slangegger
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Canada’s cannabis edibles market has seen a remarkable shift in recent times. Multipacks, once a minor part of sales, now account for nearly 28% of the market, up from just 2% less than a year ago. This change is not driven by new consumers entering the market but by how existing buyers choose to shop. Frequent edible users are opting for larger packs, attracted by better value and convenience. This trend is reshaping the way Canadians enjoy cannabis edibles and how retailers manage their offerings.
Why Multipacks Are Gaining Popularity
Frequent edible consumers prefer multipacks because they offer several advantages:
Better value per piece: Buying in bulk lowers the cost per edible, making it more economical.
Convenience: Larger packs reduce the number of shopping trips needed.
Occasion-based use: Multipacks fit well with social events like cottage weekends, parties, or sharing with friends.
Retailers report that customers who once bought multiple single edibles now prefer to purchase one organized package. This shift makes the experience feel more mainstream and similar to buying traditional packaged goods like snacks or candies.
Impact on Retailers and Sales
Multipacks have changed the financial dynamics of cannabis edible sales. Single edibles often lowered the average order value because customers bought fewer items per visit. Multipacks encourage larger basket sizes, increasing the total spend per trip. Since soft chews make up about 90% of edible sales, retailers now face the challenge of managing inventory across singles, 5-packs, and 10-packs.
This variety requires careful stock management to meet demand without overstocking. Retailers must balance the appeal of multipacks with the need to keep singles available for those who prefer smaller doses or are new to edibles.
Competing with the Illicit Market
One of the biggest challenges for legal cannabis is competing with the illicit market. While legal products face potency caps and strict regulations, multipacks help improve the price-per-piece equation. This makes regulated options more appealing to consumers who might otherwise turn to illegal sources.
Multipacks offer a clear advantage by combining convenience, consistent quality, and better pricing. This helps build trust in legal products and encourages repeat purchases. Retailers note that packs priced above $20 after tax often struggle, while lower-priced options perform better, showing that price sensitivity remains a key factor.
Education and Dosage Awareness
The rise of multipacks has created new challenges in consumer education. Some buyers mistakenly think a multipack is a single serving rather than multiple doses of 10mg each. This misunderstanding can lead to overconsumption.
Budtenders and brands play a crucial role in reinforcing dosage guidance. The message to “start low, go slow” must be clear to help consumers enjoy edibles safely. Packaging and labeling also need to emphasize the number of servings per pack and the recommended dose.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Multipacks
Industry leaders see multipacks as a lasting change in the cannabis edibles market. They improve convenience, offer better value, and encourage repeat purchases. However, potency restrictions remain a significant hurdle. Many experienced edible users seek higher doses, which the current legal limits do not allow.
If the legal market wants to capture more of these consumers, it will need to address potency caps while maintaining safety and education standards. Multipacks could continue to evolve, offering a wider range of options that meet different needs and occasions.
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