Prime Minister Mark Carney has set an ambitious goal: to double Canada’s non-U.S. exports within the next decade, generating an estimated $300 billion in additional trade. To succeed, Canada must focus on sectors that combine global demand with proven domestic expertise and strong regulatory credibility.  

The medical cannabis industry fits that profile perfectly.  

In 2024, Canadian companies exported more than $350 million worth of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products to markets around the world — including Germany, Portugal, Czechia, Poland, the Netherlands, Australia and Israel. Canada already supplies nearly half of all medical cannabis imported into Germany, Europe’s largest and fastest-growing medical market.  

This is not just a story of commercial success — it is proof that Canada’s cannabis industry is already delivering on the Prime Minister’s vision of high-value, non-U.S. export growth.  

A strategic opportunity  

Germany’s medical cannabis market continues to accelerate. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, imports reached 43 tonnes — a 15 per cent jump from the previous record. Nearly one million patients are now authorized for treatment, while domestic production still lags far behind demand.  

For Canada, this represents a unique opportunity. Built under a federally regulated framework, our industry offers the quality, safety, and traceability European regulators demand. These same attributes give Canadian exporters a durable first-mover advantage as Europe’s medical cannabis ecosystem expands.  

Economic benefits at home 

Expanding cannabis exports strengthens Canada’s economy in tangible ways. The sector already contributes more than $16 billion annually to GDP and supports tens of thousands of jobs — from cultivation and lab testing to quality assurance, logistics and retail.  

Each shipment to Germany and other global markets supports Canadian growers, port operators, transport firms and professional service providers. Export growth offers a sustainable path forward after years of domestic oversupply and price compression — re-energizing a sector that has already proven its global competitiveness.  

Innovation and global leadership

Canada’s export leadership also fuels innovation. Advances in pharmaceutical formulation, cultivation technology and patient-care research stem directly from companies competing on the world stage. These developments not only create skilled, well-paid jobs but also reinforce Canada’s reputation for regulatory excellence.  

As other nations legalize medical cannabis, they are looking to Canada’s system as the international benchmark. By scaling exports responsibly, Canada is exporting more than products — it is exporting standards, science and trust.  

Demographics and long-term growth 

Germany’s patient base continues to diversify. While most current medical cannabis patients are older, younger generations show the strongest support for access. Surveys by Ipsos indicate that a clear majority of Germans aged 18–39 favour legalization, suggesting steady demand growth for years to come. That demographic shift gives Canada a reliable long-term market for high-quality imports.  

A launchpad into Europe 

Germany’s mature regulatory framework and rising demand make it an ideal entry point into the wider European medical cannabis market. As acceptance spreads, Canadian expertise positions us to help shape consistent, safe and patient-centred frameworks across the continent.  

By exporting both products and knowledge, Canada can cement its reputation as Europe’s most trusted medical cannabis partner —further advancing the Prime Minister’s goal of diversifying trade beyond North America.  

The path forward 

Prime Minister Carney’s plan to double non-U.S. exports is ambitious — but achievable. To reach it, Canada must invest in sectors already driving international growth. Medical cannabis stands out as one of those sectors: globally respected, economically significant and aligned with Canada’s values of safety, innovation and responsibility.  

Germany’s surging demand and Canada’s proven leadership make this partnership a model for what Carney’s export vision can achieve.  

The next decade is Canada’s chance to lead — not just in cannabis, but in building a diversified, high-value export economy that benefits workers, innovators and patients alike.  

Raj Grover is founder and chief executive of High Tide Inc. (TSXV: HITI) and majority owner of Remexian Pharma GmbH, Germany’s leading importer and distributor of medical cannabis.  

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