Canada's Cannabis Laws - How to Buy and Consume Legally Across the Country

Canada's Cannabis Laws - How to Buy and Consume Legally Across the Country

Canada became the first major country in the world to legalize and regulate recreational cannabis use in 2018. Canada allowed its provinces to more or less regulate the sale and consumption of cannabis in the country themselves. This is similar to how U.S. states do it, except it is currently federally illegal. 
Even though the laws in Canada are liberal when it comes to cannabis use, you still need to avoid treading on the toes of local law enforcement according to where you are. This article will set out the basic laws on cannabis purchase and consumption, province by province. 

Cannabis Consumption and Purchase Laws by Province and Territory 

In this section, we will look at the laws in the provinces and territories of Canada.

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Alberta 

  • Legal age: 18 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, topicals, and flower 
  • Where you can buy it: Private licensed dispensaries or online 
  • Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: In places where tobacco can be consumed Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

British Columbia 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, topicals, and flower 
  • Where you can buy it: Government-operated stores or online 
  • Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: In places where tobacco can be consumed, with the exception of public use areas for children 
  • Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 
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Manitoba 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Edibles, flower, or topicals 
  • Where you can buy it: Private licensed dispensaries or online
  • Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: Private spaces only 
  • Home grow: Not permitted 

New Brunswick 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, topicals, and flower Where you can buy it: Government-operated stores or online Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: Private spaces only 
  • Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Extracts, edibles, and topicals. NOT vaping products Where you can buy it: Private licensed dispensaries or online Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: Private spaces only 
  • Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

Northwest Territories 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Seeds, oil, and flower 
  • Where you can buy it: Government-operated stores or online Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: On trails, roads, streets, and in parks when not being used for public events 
  • Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

Nova Scotia 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, topicals, and flower Where you can buy it: Government-operated stores or online Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: In places where tobacco can be consumed Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

Nunavut 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, topicals, and flower Where you can buy it: Government-operated stores or online Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams
  • Where you can consume it: In places where tobacco can be consumed, except in vehicles, school grounds, playgrounds, and healthcare facilities Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

Ontario 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, topicals, and flower Where you can buy it: Private licensed dispensaries and the government operated online store 
  • Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: In places where tobacco can be consumed, except vehicles 
  • Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

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Prince Edward Island 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, topicals, and flower Where you can buy it: Government-operated stores or online Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: Private spaces only 
  • Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

Quebec 

  • Legal age: 21 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, and flower 
  • Where you can buy it: Government-operated stores or online Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: Private spaces only 
  • Home grow: Not permitted 

Saskatchewan 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, topicals, and flower Where you can buy it: Private licensed dispensaries or online Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: Private spaces only 
  • Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

Yukon 

  • Legal age: 19 
  • What you can buy: Concentrates, edibles, topicals, and flower Where you can buy it: Government-operated stores or online
  • Amount you can possess on your person: 30 grams 
  • Where you can consume it: Private spaces only 
  • Home grow: Yes — 4 plants per household 

Travel Between States and Provinces 

In Canada, you can travel between states and provinces with your products on your person. However, you will be limited as to what you can possess in the region you are traveling to. Not everywhere permits vaping products, for example, and someone who’s 18 and legally allowed to possess cannabis in Alberta will be considered a minor in Quebec, where the law only permits someone who is 21 or over to possess. If they're caught, they could be subject to prosecution. 
This differs from the U.S. where you cannot travel between states at all because it's a federal felony to cross state lines with a drug that is still illegal under national law. 
These regional variations in use and possession in Canada are why you should get to know the laws of the province or territory you are visiting before you go. It could save you a lot of heartache if you fall foul of the law. 

Don’t Forget Your CARTA E-rig! 

With its ability to get the best flavor out of your chosen cannabis product and its great portability, the Focus V CARTA electronic dabber is an excellent item to put in your luggage wherever you are going to visit in Canada. Have a look at our range of e-rigs now!