The Financial Post reports in its Thursday edition that legalizing pot was meant to usher in a new era of progress, but it has led to a complex situation with both achievements and setbacks. The Globe's guest columnist Beena Goldenberg (chief executive officer of Organigram) writes that while Canada's legalization has fostered innovation and a growing consumer community, it faces challenges that hinder the legal industry from reaching its potential. High taxes, restrictive edible limits, limited consumer education and strict regulations have made it difficult for legal businesses to thrive. Consequently, the illegal market still accounts for about 30 per cent of sales, according to a 2023 Statistics Canada survey. Illegal operators offer cheaper products with fewer regulations, often masquerading as legitimate businesses, which undermines public health and deprives the government of tax revenue. The proliferation of illegal operators not only hurts the legal industry and compromises public health and safety, it also deprives the government of tax revenue. Illegal operators can bypass age restrictions and safety standards, undermining the Cannabis Act's goal of protecting Canadians and encouraging responsible consumption.