Canada Now Allows Cannabis at Campgrounds

  [dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]N[/dropcap]ow that Canada has embraced recreational cannabis, legalization is opening up many new avenues of opportunity. When it comes to camping, whether it’s for consumers just visiting the country or local residents taking a vacation nearby, cannabis is now allowed.

Parks Canada issued guidelines for the use of cannabis throughout its national parks system, while Transport Canada warns travelers about the risk of traveling with cannabis.

Cannabis use is legal at visitor campgrounds in all territories including national parks, historic sites, marine conservation areas and Rouge National Urban Park. However, cannabis is not permitted at any campground common areas such as playgrounds, washrooms or parking lots. Otherwise, campers should visit the website and look into the regulations in the province where the campground is located. “While Parks Canada campgrounds are public areas, the agency treats individual campsites as temporary domiciles for our visitors. For this reason, at Parks Canada campgrounds, consumption of cannabis will be permitted in campsites,” spokesperson Marie-Hélène Brisson wrote in an email. Canada is regulating cannabis in a similar manner to alcohol.

“As with alcohol, from time to time Parks Canada may implement specific prohibitions on consumption in specific campgrounds or at specific times of year as operational requirements arise, or in an effort to ensure that all visitors enjoy their stay,” she wrote. “It is important to maintain environmental awareness and a clear mind when performing activities in Parks Canada’s places to help prevent accidents, incidents or injury.”

For those traveling to Canada, there are multiple warnings across airports reminding those flying that smoking cannabis is not allowed on commercial flights. “Under the Aeronautics Act, behavior that puts the safety of passengers or crew at risk on board an aircraft will continue to not be tolerated,” wrote department spokesperson Marie-Anyk Côté.

However, other uses of cannabis may be permitted, and even an emergency landing in U.S. soil may not be an issue with those who have cannabis with them. “In either case, the passengers would not technically be entering the U.S. unless they were to present themselves to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer and make the formal application to do so,” an official said on condition on anonymity.