As Canadians head toward the ballot box, cannabis policy in Canadian elections 2025 is notably absent from the national conversation. While legalization remains a landmark policy achievement from the Justin Trudeau era, attention has shifted elsewhere. Hot-button issues now include inflation, housing, and immigration—but the most pressing of all is Canada’s relationship with the United States, a country increasingly seen not as a reliable ally, but as a destabilizing force around the world.
Why Cannabis Isn’t a Factor in the 2025 Canadian Elections?
There are 2 reasons for this:
- The attention of Canadian voters is turned towards the behaviour of the White House, and its aggressive outbursts towards Canada. The role of the next Prime Minister is now seen as a guard against the United States.
- Legalized cannabis is generally successful, and isn’t perceived as warranting a major reevaluation.
Mark Carney vs Pierre Poilievre on Cannabis Issues
Mark Carney
Mark Carney is a renowned economist and former Governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. He was elected as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada with 86.84% of the votes on March 9 2025. His show of strength vs Trump threats and his “no blinking” stance combined with deep knowledge of economic vectors are what helped him clinch victory.
Mark Carney’s Views on Marijuana
As of now, there is no public record of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney making specific statements or policy proposals regarding cannabis legalization or regulation.
Given his recent entry into politics and his focus on economic and environmental issues, it’s more than likely that his stance on cannabis policy may align with the broader Liberal platform. However, without explicit statements or policy outlines from Carney, we cannot provide concrete information on his position regarding cannabis.
We can assume Mark Carney won’t implement major changes. The strong support cannabis gets across Canada and political lines, the fact that it was a Liberal initiative with broad support within the liberal base and its positive commercial impact as a tax revenue makes legal cannabis in Canada an untouchable subject.
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre is a career politician and the current leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. He was first elected to Parliament in 2004 at the age of 25, representing the Ottawa-area riding of Nepean–Carleton. Over the years, he built a reputation as a sharp debater and staunch fiscal conservative. He held cabinet positions under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, including Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform.
After the Conservative Party’s defeat in 2015, Poilievre remained a prominent figure in the opposition. He officially launched his bid for party leadership in early 2022 and won decisively later that year. Poilievre capitalized on public frustration with inflation, perceived government overreach during the Covid years, and what he framed as Liberal elitism. His arrival at the head of the conservative party marked a shift in tone — more direct, anti-establishment, and strongly aligned with concerns about affordability, freedom, and government accountability.
Pierre Poilievre’s Views on Marijuana
Poilievre’s stance on cannabis has been largely critical without indicating that he would reverse legalization per se. He raised issues such as safety, accessibility to youth, and the need for tougher enforcement against illegal distribution. He also raised concerns that current laws allow minors too easy access and that marketing practices are not aligned with public safety.
To his credit, Poilievre has publicly stated that a Conservative government would not seek to overturn or restrict cannabis legalization. In an article published in the Montreal Gazette in June 2024, an incident is mentioned where Pierre Poilievre released a statement distancing himself from conservative Alberta MP Arnold Viersen who had previously expressed his disapproval for abortion, same-sex marriages and cannabis.
The 2025 Canadian Elections Timeline
Let’s take a look at the rollercoaster ride that created this power shift.
2021-2025: Trudeau’s Shrinking Popularity
Trudeau’s early support, driven by progressive promises like cannabis legalization, began to erode amid growing concerns over inflation, housing, and centralized governance. The Covid years were difficult for all governments around the world and the Canadian Liberal cabinet took a beating.
2021–2023: Pierre Poilievre’s Rise
Poilievre surged in popularity by tapping into public frustration over affordability and government overreach. Running as the candidate of “freedom,” he used social media to bypass traditional media and build a strong grassroots base. By mid-2023, polls projected a Conservative majority.
Late 2024 – Early 2025: Trump’s Threat to Canadian Sovereignty
Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. spotlight created ripple effects in Canada. His hostile rhetoric on trade and dubbing Canada the “51st state” raised concerns about sovereignty. Canadian leaders began positioning themselves in response — not around domestic policy, but around global democratic stability.
January 10 2025: Justin Trudeau Announces his Resignation
After months of declining approval and mounting internal pressure, Justin Trudeau officially announced his resignation on January 10, 2025, triggering an immediate leadership race within the Liberal Party.
January 16 2025: Mark Carney Enters the Race
Mark Carney’s political debut reshaped the race. His global economic background, calm pragmatism, and credibility with decision-makers quickly drew the attention of both Canadian voters and international media. His bold stance against Trump-style politics resonated with moderates and positioned him as a strong defender of Canadian sovereignty
Late 2025: Poilievre’s Lead Collapses
As Trump’s extremism became more visible, Poilievre’s perceived alignment with that style of politics – and Trump himself – began to hurt him. The “Trumpist” label alienated centrist voters. In contrast, Carney’s direct opposition to Trumpism made Poilievre appear evasive, weakening his position and closing the gap in the polls.
March 23 2025: Mark Carney Calls the Election
Just days after securing the Liberal leadership on March 9, 2025, Mark Carney announced Canada would head to the polls on April 28 2025, framing the vote as a referendum on sovereignty, stability, and leadership.
Would Cannabis be an Electoral Issue if Trump Wasn’t Treating Canada Negatively?
Probably Not
Even without Trump dominating headlines, cannabis would likely remain a low-priority topic. The novelty of legalization has faded, and it no longer serves as a partisan battleground. Most Canadians now view cannabis much like alcohol—regulated, normalized, and not worth electoral oxygen.
Canadian Cannabis Policy Has Seen Positive Results
Since legalization in 2018, Canada has seen a steady decline in cannabis-related arrests, increased tax revenue, and the rise of a legal industry that supports tens of thousands of jobs. These gains make it politically risky for any party to call for a reversal or severe restriction.
Cannabis Has Gone Mainstream in Canada (It’s No Longer a Left vs. Right Issue)
What was once a controversial topic has become part of Canadian daily life, and cannabis is now normalised in Canada. From suburban moms using edibles for sleep to seniors accessing CBD oil for arthritis pain, cannabis use now spans political boundaries in Canada. With widespread legal access, it’s simply not an issue that divides voters anymore.
Cannabis Enjoys Broad Approval in Canada
According to a survey conducted in October 2023, 62% of Canadians view legal cannabis favorably. While not an overwhelming majority, it’s a solid indicator of broad societal acceptance. Naturally, the onus would fall on Pierre Poilievre to challenge legalization if he intended to reverse or restrict current laws. However, given his own lukewarm favorability ratings, it’s unlikely he would risk alienating voters—especially in provinces where cannabis use is most popular, such as Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
The One Area of Debate: Edibles Policy Remains Contested
Many cannabis consumers view Canada’s regulations—particularly around edibles—as overly strict. Unlike some U.S. states, where THC-infused meals can be served in restaurants or lounges, Canadian edibles remain tightly controlled. Critics argue that this has led to a thriving grey market and hinders innovation, especially for craft producers.
Other concerns that could be addressed are allowing higher cannabis potency and offering safe smoking spaces, like California permitted with Cannabis Cafés.
Cannabis Is Settled—Now Voters Want Stability
Cannabis isn’t on the ballot, but stability and sovereignty are. In an electoral spring dominated by foreign policy concerns and the shadow of U.S. politics, cannabis legalization appears to be safe ground. While minor regulatory tweaks may emerge in the future—especially around edibles—the issue has matured beyond partisanship. In 2025, the real question isn’t who will legalize cannabis—it’s who has the diplomatic skills to protect Canadian sovereignty and the business acumen to counter American tariffs.
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