Top 5 Provinces for Buying Legal Marijuana

Even with only a couple of stores open in each province, some provincial governments have already capitalized on the booming cannabis market.

For example, Quebec’s Societe Quebecoise du Cannabis (SQC) reports that its provincially-run dispensaries recorded 12,500 in-person transaction in the first 15 hours of launching marijuana sales. Their online transactions, on the other hand, have hit the 30,000 threshold.

Nova Scotia coined 12,810 transactions at its brick-and-mortar stores and online purchases. That amounted to $660,000 in revenue.

In British Columbia, where only a single legal retail shop was open on 17th October, 795 in-store transactions were recorded, whereas B.C.’s online cannabis dispensary received 9,137 orders.

It goes without saying that there is high demand for cannabis in Canada (see what we did there?). Canadians love cannabis and they expect the newly established law to benefit them as recreational consumers and medical patients.

Today, we will select the top provinces for buying legal marijuana.

Follow our lead!

Top 5 Provinces for Buying Legal Marijuana

We’ve created this list based on several criteria, including an average price per gram of weed, taxation, number of private dispensaries, minimum age for possession, and current restrictions on marijuana sales.

1. British Columbia

British Columbia is our #1 pick as the top province for buying legal marijuana.

The territory has a long tradition of cannabis use, with “unofficial” cannabis dispensaries running since 2005. Now that weed has become legal in Canada, BC has one of the most prominent weed markets in the entire country.

British Columbia has set the age of consumption at 19. Those who meet the legal requirements can obtain weed through private stores with retail licenses, who must be approved by the provincial governments.

Like in most provinces, cannabis won’t be sold in stores that sell liquor or tobacco, but you can smoke weed in public places where tobacco smoking and vaping are allowed.

The only places where you can’t smoke weed are vehicles and in areas occupied by children; this includes parks, schools, beaches, and playgrounds.

As an adult, you have the right to grow up to 4 plants per household, but landlords and condo councils can set their own restraints or prohibit the cultivation and smoking on their properties.

The average price per gram: $6.98.

2. Alberta

If you live in Alberta, here’s some good news. First of all, you can buy weed once you hit 18.

Further, the cannabis sales in Alberta has been partially left to private operators, at least when it comes to brick-and-mortar stores. The government, in turn, will control the online sale of pot.

Marijuana can’t be sold along with alcohol, tobacco, or pharmaceuticals; in short, cannabis stores will not be permitted to sell anything but cannabis and cannabis-related products.

The province expects to issue 250 licences in the first year following the legalization, which means Alberta citizens will have easy access to their herb.

The average price per gram: $9.24

3. Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has the best business model for cannabis sales in Canada so far.

Marijuana is sold only through privately-owned, brick-and-mortar retail stores who can run their own online sales within the province.

But more interestingly, the government hasn’t made any claims to enter the supply chain — at least not yet.

The legal age for marijuana consumption in Saskatchewan has been set to 19, so if you meet the bottom limit, you can either buy weed from your dispensary or just grow your own weed; people can grow up to 4 plants per household.

The average price per gram: $7.10

4. Ontario

Ontario announced a private retail model that will go into effect on April 1, 2019. Before that happens, online purchases will be available from the Ontario Cannabis Store.

The OCS will also be the official (and exclusive) wholesale supplier and distributor to private dispensaries, which means there won’t be much space for changing weed prices. Nonetheless, the promising number of 150 retailers by 2019 will make weed widely available for Ontario residents and tourists.

Distribution and sale of cannabis is takes place through Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). Weed must be sold separately from liquor, tobacco, and pharmaceuticals, and a person who wants to buy marijuana must be 19 and up.

An adult can possess up to 30 grams of weed.

The average price per gram: $7.33

5. Nova Scotia

According to Statistics Canada, Nova Scotia has the highest rate of recreational cannabis use in the country, with the average consumer enjoying 27.1 grams per year.

Moreover, Nova Scotia has had the fastest growing market in the last few years than anywhere else in the country. Over the last couple of years, dispensaries have been popping up one after another, selling flowers, edibles, and concentrates.

Now that weed is legal in Canada, these black-market locations are signing up for retail licenses to join the legion of legal businesses.

It’s actually no wonder that Canadians love to light up in Nova Scotia, as the province has some of the lowest prices per gram in the country.

Adults who are 19 and up can buy cannabis from government retail stores or grow up to 4 plants per household. The province plans to establish penalties for youth possession of up to five grams.

Currently the public use of marijuana is tolerated in places where individuals can smoke or vape cigarettes. Weed is also subject to the Smoke-free Places Act and its violation can cost you up to $2,000.

The average price per gram: $6.00

Final Thoughts

We hope this article have cleared up the potential confusion in terms of choosing the best provinces for buying legal marijuana.

As for now, the above 5 territories are considered the most weed-friendly when it comes to both buying and consuming weed. Still, other provinces can still meet your standards if you just want to buy it legally and don’t care much about the ratio of public to private suppliers and other miscellaneous aspects.

However, if you want to enjoy high-quality marijuana at affordable prices regardless of your location, consider buying weed online. Here at CheapWeed.ca, we deliver a wide range of different cannabis strains, as well as other marijuana-infused products at worthwhile deals — working only with licensed and trusted suppliers who use organic growing methods and strict quality-control measures.

Where do you enjoy your weed the most and why? Let us know in the comments!