Canada's Cannabis Experiment is Struggling: Here's Why | H&H Ep. 26

Years after legalization, Canada's legal cannabis industry is still fighting an uphill battle. Excise taxes and product labelling designed for Big Tobacco are squeezing licensed producers. The illicit market continues to thrive. And Ottawa's response? Slow — at best.Paul McCarthy is the President & CEO of the Cannabis Council of Canada, the national voice of Canada's licensed cannabis producers. With over 20 years of public sector experience as both a career public servant and senior political advisor, Paul has been at the centre of cannabis policy, regulatory reform, and the politics of an industry fighting for its future.In this episode, we cover:✅ Why Canada's legal cannabis industry is still struggling — years after legalization✅ The crushing excise tax burden and how it's driving LPs out of business✅ Why the illicit market is winning — and what it would take to change that✅ What the Cannabis Council of Canada is pushing for in Ottawa right now✅ The political calculus: who's listening in government and who's not✅ What the current federal agenda means for the industry's next chapterIf you thought legalization was the finish line, this conversation will reframe it as the starting line — and it's been a rough race.📬 Got a question for the next mailbag? Email us at [email protected] or find us on Facebook.👍 Like | 🔔 Subscribe | 🎙️ Share it with a fellow political junkie🔗 Stay Connected🎥 Watch on YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@TheHonourableandTheHack🎧 Listen on Spotify: 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/13uw982Y8Br4CvTs🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com📘 Follow on Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/TheHonourableAndTheHackDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer, organization, or institution. This content is intended for discussion and commentary and should not be considered professional, legal, or political advice. Some discussion in this episode includes speculation and forward-looking commentary based on publicly available information and personal experience.