British Columbia premier John Horgan is turning the blame outwards for the province’s dismal cannabis sales and low profits.

The province has had a tough time in the legal cannabis game since cannabis was federally legalized in 2018 — selling less licensed product than any province other than Prince Edward Island.

Horgan says the illicit market has lower operating costs as licensed cannabis-related businesses, which impedes the latter from competing. He also cited the province’s obligation to pony up for additional policing costs as a source of frustration and says that the public’s expectation that cannabis would be a source of wealth for the province has not come to pass.

The police have had a strained relationship with the cannabis-consuming public of B.C., with crackdowns on unlicensed pot shops in multiple cities, raids on decades-old compassion clubs and medical dispensaries, and prominent cannabis advocates facing charges and fines.

Horgan’s remarks also come in the wake of his government’s decision to impose a 20 per cent tax on all vape products, including dry herb vapes, which critics say will drive even more consumers to purchase cheaper options on the illicit market.

The premier’s comments are reminiscent of those made by Cannabis NB execs, blaming external factors such as the illicit market, expensive leases, the previous government, Health Canada regulations, and a wide variety of other issues on the Crown corporation’s failure to turn a profit.

The company is now seeking a private entity to take over the struggling retailer.