New laws passed in October mean that weed is now legal in Canada! Adults can now go to local dispensaries or buy weed online and use it at their leisure. It’s not just for medical patients either- recreational use is fully legal and you don’t need a medical card or prescription to get your hands on it.
While the new laws make things much more relaxed, there are still certain restrictions. The age limit varies from province to province. It’s also important you know the possession limits and the rules around growing your own marijuana. You’ll have a much easier time buying and using weed now, but you still need to keep it out of public places and away from children.
Since the laws can get a little complicated, here’s a thorough guide to everything you need to know about legal weed in Canada.
What’s the age limit to buy weed in Canada?
The new laws state you must be 18 years of age or older to buy and use weed in Canada. However, provinces are able to set their own age limits, and all but two require you to be 19 years old.
Quebec and Alberta are the only two provinces that allow you to buy and use marijuana from the age of 18. In every other province and territory of Canada, you must be 19 years of age or older. Most dispensaries and even many online sellers will require you to provide proof of age via a driver’s license or other ID.
Being caught with weed while under the age limit can have serious consequences. While small quantities may simply get you a warning, larger quantities can result in jail time. Adults supplying weed to minors is also highly illegal and punishable by jail time.
What are the weed possession limits in Canada?
Although you’re now able to buy and use weed however you want, there are still some public possession limits. The Cannabis Act states that adults 18 years of age or above can possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis in public. You can also share the same amount with other people such as friends or family, providing they meet the legal use age.
The new laws also have separate possession limits for different kinds of cannabis products. You’re allowed to possess up to:
- 150 grams of fresh cannabis
- 450 grams of edible product
- 2100 grams (4.62 pounds) of liquid product
- 7.5 grams of concentrates (solid or liquid)
- 30 cannabis plant seeds
However, legal adults can also store as much cannabis as they want at home. This means if you’re buying online for delivery, you can order as much weed as you want. Medical patients can also possess an extra 150 grams of dried cannabis according to Health Canada.
Many provinces set strict restrictions against carrying weed in public. It’s best to keep weed in closed containers and out of reach while driving. You should also avoid smoking in public unless it’s in an area that’s licensed for public use.
Weed growing laws in Canada
Many Canadians will also be able to buy cannabis seeds and plant their own marijuana plants. You can grow up to 4 marijuana plants at a time and keep whatever product you harvest safely at home. However, growing your own is still illegal in some provinces.
It’s still illegal to grow weed in Quebec and Manitoba. While Nunavut lifted a ban on growing, growing laws are still to be determined. Growing your own marijuana in these provinces may result in legal action, so it’s best to avoid it completely.
Every other province allows you to grow your own marijuana plants either indoors or outdoors. However, if you rent a property, your landlord is able to restrict you from growing.
It’s also important that your plants are kept out of public view and safely locked away from children. Indoor growing operations should be in a locked room or space. Outdoor grows should be fenced off or kept in a locked enclosure.
Providing you follow the rules of your province, you should have no problem cultivating your own weed. You can buy seeds or seedlings and produce mass amounts of weed to keep at home for your own use.
Where can you legally smoke weed in Canada?
You won’t face any problems if you smoke weed at home or at a friend’s house. However, smoking in public is still illegal in many places, and you have to be very careful where you smoke.
It’s legal across Canada to smoke in private residences or properties. However, you can’t smoke in your car and shouldn’t have any open packages or containers of weed when driving. You also can’t smoke anywhere where tobacco smoking is prohibited.
Smoking in public places is illegal in most cases, but every province has their own rules. For instance, in the Northwest Territories, you’re able to smoke on roads, trails, and parks providing they’re not in use for events and children aren’t present. Some provinces will also be licensing cannabis lounges in the future where users will be able to smoke.
Can you legally sell weed in Canada?
While you can legally buy and gift weed to friends, there are still laws against selling and distribution. Businesses in many provinces are able to apply for a license to sell weed. But on a personal level, you can not sell any weed to other people.
You’re allowed to give up to 30 grams of weed to other legal adults free of charge. However, charging for it is restricted by law. Illegal distribution or sale can result in a ticket for smaller amounts or up to 14 years jail time.
Can you take weed out of Canada?
With the new, more relaxed cannabis laws, many people might want to visit Canada to try out a selection of weed. However, taking weed outside of Canada’s borders is also against the law and will likely result in jail time.
When you’re in Canada, you can buy weed based on the province or territory’s local laws. For instance, those visiting Quebec can buy weed providing they’re 18 years of age or older. Make sure you keep smoking to private places which allow it and respect the local laws.
Where can I buy weed in Canada?
There are now many ways to get your hands on legal weed in Canada. Many provinces have already opened up recreational dispensaries, with many more to come. Some provinces allow private retailers to obtain licenses while some sell via government-operated liquor stores and dispensaries.
If you have a marijuana store near you, all you need to buy is proof of age. Providing you have a valid ID proving you’re at least 19 years old (18 in Quebec and Alberta) you can buy weed and other cannabis products.
Many provinces will be short on dispensaries until licensing is sorted out. However, citizens of Canada can still buy weed online. All online weed orders abide by strict delivery laws, meaning your products will be packaged safely and discreetly and sent privately. This means you can order as much weed as you want without anyone knowing what you’re having delivered.
Canada Weed Laws for Each Province
While many provinces share the same laws regarding cannabis, there are differences when it comes to legal age, whether you can grow, and where you can smoke. Here’s a rundown of each province’s weed laws to help.
Alberta
Legal Age: 18
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences and areas where tobacco is permitted
Alberta has fairly relaxed weed laws, and anyone 18 years of age or above can buy and use marijuana. You must not smoke around children and landlords are able to restrict smoking and growing on their properties. You must also not smoke in your car. Private and government stores are available.
British Columbia
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences and areas where tobacco is permitted
BC sets a legal age of 19 for the purchases and consumption of weed. Smoking should be kept to private residences, although landlords can restrict smoking or growing on their properties. Growing should be kept out of public sight and smoking should not be done around children or in a car. Weed is available from private and government stores.
Manitoba
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Illegal to grow
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences
Growing your own weed is still illegal in Manitoba. However, anyone aged 19 years or above can buy it. Private retail stores are available in some areas. Manitoba also has a law against the sale of marijuana to anyone who is intoxicated.
New Brunswick
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences
Anyone aged 19 or above will have no problem getting weed in New Brunswick. Many government stores are now open. Citizens can also grow their own weed. However, outdoor growers are required to keep plants in a locked enclosure at least 1.52 meters high. Smoking is limited to private places and landlords can restrict growing or smoking on their property.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences
Many government and private stores will be available in NL. Smoking is limited to private places.
Northwest Territories
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences
Cannabis can be found in liquor stores in NWT. Public smoking laws are also more relaxed. You can smoke in public places such as secluded roads, trails, and parks, providing there are no events taking place and no children are present.
Nova Scotia
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences and areas where tobacco is permitted
There are currently 9 legally licensed marijuana stores open in Nova Scotia. Those who don’t have access to one can also turn to online sales. Landlords can restrict smoking and growing.
Nunavut
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Undetermined
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences plus licensed cannabis lounges and events
Adults will soon be able to smoke in cannabis lounges and events that have been licensed for public use. Stores won’t open until 2019, but you can buy weed online. Growing was initially banned, but the Nunavut government is currently working on new growing laws.
Ontario
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences
Legal stores will open by 2019, but you can buy weed online. Municipalities are able to set their own laws on selling weed. Landlord restrictions apply to smoking and growing.
Prince Edward Island
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences and some public spaces
Prince Edward Island allows designated smoking spaces. Weed will be available via four government-run stores and online sales.
Quebec
Legal Age: 18
Growing Laws: Illegal to grow
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences and areas where tobacco smoking is permitted (barring universities)
Growing is still illegal in Quebec, but many government-run stores will be available and users can also buy online.
Saskatchewan
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences
There will be 60 licensed marijuana stores in Saskatchewan. Landlords can restrict smoking or growing on their property.
Yukon
Legal Age: 19
Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants at a time
Where You Can Smoke: Private properties/residences
Stores are regulated by the Yukon Liquor Corporation, but currently only one is open in Whitehorse. Private retailers will be licensed in the future. You can smoke and grow at home but landlord restrictions apply.
For in-depth laws for each province and territory, you can check the Government of Canada website.
Conclusion
Canadian citizens can now enjoy weed under a fair set of rules. You must be able to prove you’re 19 years of age or older (only 18 in Quebec and Alberta) and you can also grow your own providing you’re not in Quebec, Manitoba or Nunavut. In most cases, you’ll need to smoke at home or another private residence, but some provinces will permit public smoking in licensed areas. While recreational stores are still limited in many areas, it’s safe and easy to buy weed online and get it delivered to your home.