There are lessons to be learned north of the border when it comes to marijuana. Unfortunately, for Canadians, many have to do with what you should not do. 

Since Canada legalized adult use marijuana in October 2018, that nation has experienced a host of problems that offer insight for both entrepreneurs and government officials. Forewarned is forearmed, and the United States has plenty to learn with national legalization in Canada.

Marijuana Stock Were Trading “On Fantasy”

For investors, it’s important to tread carefully. Canadian marijuana-related stocks have been on a rollercoaster ride. And slower-than-expected cannabis sales have led to a 17 percent drop in wholesale prices, according to the BBC, which in turn caused a drop in stock prices for publicly traded marijuana companies.

Jonathan Rubin, CEO of New Leaf Data Services, told the BBC that “it didn’t take a rocket scientist to see these stocks were trading on fantasy, not fundamentals.” He stopped short of calling legalization in Canada a failure, but said “there’s definitely frustrations.”

According to data quoted in the New York Times, the stock price of the six leading marijuana stocks in Canada fell 56 percent in the first year of legalization.

Government Drags Its Feet On Approving Dispensaries

While cannabis sales in Canada have increased steadily each month since October 2018, inventory has grown at a faster pace. That’s led to oversupply and a drop in prices.

Also, dispensaries in heavily populated Ontario and Quebec have been slow to open as governments in both provinces have been approving dispensary licenses at a “glacial pace,” according to the Times. That’s driven some consumers to turn back to the black market, where plenty of product is available, and the price is cheaper (because of zero taxes).

The lesson for entrepreneurs is the classic one about supply and demand. Also, the cannabis business is about more than producing quality weed, but also excelling as a consumer packaged goods supplier. That includes good marketing, managed inventory and smart pricing.

Lack Of Edibles

Because they wanted more time to write the rules around cannabis edibles, Canadian officials greenlit legalization without approving edibles sales. That certainly limited the potential for growth in the market, as edible sales have increased 900 percent in the U.S. alone. They also satisfy consumer demand by offering them an option other than smoking weed.

The situation in Canada has reached a point where authorities are expecting a wave of insolvencies in 2020, according to the Financial Times. However, many expect at least a slight turnaround as edibles and cannabis-infused drinks hit the market in December 2019.

The challenges faced by Canada are often what happens when you’re among the first to foray into a new industry. But for those waiting for national legalization in the U.S., it's an ongoing lesson on the problems government officials and entrepreneurs in America will likely face.