[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]R[/dropcap]ecreational cannabis sales have finally begun in Canada! Per the Cannabis Act, rules and regulations vary by province, but the legal age is always 18 or older and the legal limit is always up to 30 grams of cannabis in flower form.
Only cannabis in the flower form will be initially allowed. Parliament may revisit the issue to allow the sales of edibles, vaporized cartridges, concentrates and infused beverages in 2019. And don’t even think about crossing the United States-Canada border—the federal ban on cannabis in the United States will be strictly enforced. Additionally, Canadians who consume or work in cannabis could be banned from crossing the border, but details remain unclear. Driving under the influence of cannabis will also be enforced to a higher degree.
The biggest differences in provincial rules involve the legal age and where cannabis sales and cultivation will be allowed. Traveling from province-to-province with cannabis is tricky. For instance, Nunavut bans driving with any amount cannabis but most other provinces allow it in enclosed containers or in the trunk. Refer to our handy list for the details on provincial cannabis laws:
Alberta
Legal age: 18
Stores: Provincial, private and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Yes, indoor only
Public use: Where tobacco is allowed
British Columbia
Legal age: 19
Stores: Provincial, private and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Yes; Up to four plants
Public use: Where tobacco is allowed, never on playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, and other places where children frequent.
Manitoba
Legal age: 19
Stores: Private and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Only with medical license
Public use: Smoking or vaping is not allowed streets, parks, campsites or nearly any other type of public place, but edibles are not mentioned.
New Brunswick
Legal age: 19
Stores: Provincial and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Yes
Public use: Private property only
Newfoundland and Labrador
Legal age: 19
Stores: Provincial, private and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: To be determined
Public use: Private property only
Northwest Territories
Legal age: 19
Stores: Privately owned liquor stores and government run online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Yes
Public use: Private property and on trails, highways, streets, roads and in parks when they’re not being used for public events.
Nova Scotia
Legal age: 19
Stores: Provincial and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Yes
Public use: Where tobacco is allowed
Nunavut
Legal age: 19
Stores: Online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Yes
Public use: Where tobacco is allowed
Ontario
Legal age: 19
Stores: Provincial and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Yes; Up to four plants
Public use: Private property only
Prince Edward Island
Legal age: 19
Stores: Provincial and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: To be determined
Public use: Private property only
Quebec
Legal age: 18
Stores: Provincial and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: No
Public use: Where tobacco is allowed
Saskatchewan
Legal age: 19
Stores: Private and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Yes; Up to four plants
Public use: Only on private property and not in front of minors
Yukon
Legal age: 19
Stores: Government-run storefronts and online retail sales allowed
Grow at home: Yes
Public use: Only on private property