This is what cannabis legalization will look like in each province
The federal government has passed Bill C-45 and legalized cannabis, but there are still more questions than answers as to what that might look like.
As the feds have allowed provincial governments to determine many of the guidelines surrounding the consumption, distribution and cultivation of cannabis, legalization will have a very different flavour in every province – with some provincial laws in direct contravention with those laid out in C-45.
While many provincial rules have yet to be determined, here’s a brief province-by-province breakdown of how and where you can legally buy, possess and consume cannabis in Canada.
See also
- Health Canada announces regulations surrounding cannabis legalization
- What you need to know about cannabis legalization in Canada
- Canada just introduced several new impaired driving laws that are super strict
Alberta
Age of majority: 18
Where you can smoke: Anywhere smoking cigarettes is permitted; anywhere not frequented by children (playgrounds, etc.)
Where to get it: Private retailers/dispensaries (government-run wholesale); online (government-run and private)
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household permitted
Possession limits: 30 grams in public
British Columbia
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Most places you can smoke cigarettes with multiple exceptions including recreational areas, parks, enclosed public spaces, bus/ferry stops, or near children
Where to get it: Province-run B.C. Cannabis Stores and online retail, licensed private retailers/dispensaries
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household permitted; plants must not be visible from public spaces, or grown in houses designated as community care facilities
Possession limits: 30 grams in public
Manitoba
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Prohibited in public places
Where to get it:Private retailers/dispensaries; private online retailers (must have a brick-and-mortar store) (government-run wholesale)
Home growing: Provincial regulations prohibit home cultivation
Possession limits: 30 grams in public
New Brunswick
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Prohibited in public places
Where to get it: Province-run dispensaries and online, via Cannabis Management Corporation (NB Liquor subsidiary)
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household – indoors, in a separate and locked space; outdoors in a locked enclosure with a height minimum of 1.52 metres.
Possession limits: Maximum 30 grams in public
Newfoundland/Labrador
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Prohibited in public places
Where to get it: Private retailers, online, province-run dispensaries where there are no private storefronts
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household permitted
Possession limits: 30 grams total
Northwest Territories
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Prohibited in public places
Where to get it: Private and province-run dispensaries and online sales (government-run wholesale via Liquor Commission)
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household
Possession limits: 30 grams total
Nova Scotia
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Anywhere smoking cigarettes is permitted
Where to get it: Government-run dispensaries and online, via NS Liquor Board
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household permitted
Possession limits: 30 grams in public
Nunavut
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Anywhere smoking cigarettes is permitted
Where to get it: Province-run dispensaries; private retailers/dispensaries if acting on behalf of the Nunavut government
Home growing: Provincial regulations prohibit home growing
Possession limits: 30 grams in public
Ontario
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Prohibited in public places
Where to get it: Province-run dispensaries or online, via Ontario Cannabis Store (LCBO subsidiary) for now; however, incumbent premier Doug Ford is promising to change legislation to allow private sales as well.
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household permitted
Possession limits: 30 grams in public
Prince Edward Island
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Prohibited in public places, with a few exceptions (such as multi-unit dwellings)
Where to get it: Province-run dispensaries and online, via PEI Cannabis Management Corporation
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household permitted (not accessible to minors)
Possession limits: Maximum 30 grams in public
Québec
Age of majority: 18
Where you can smoke: Anywhere smoking cigarettes is permitted
Where to get it: Province-run dispensaries or online, via Société québecoise du cannabis (SAQ subsidiary)
Home growing: Provincial regulations prohibit any home cultivation.
Possession limits: Maximum 150 grams total; maximum in public TBD (likely 30 grams)
Saskatchewan
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Prohibited in public places
Where to get it: Private retailers/dispensaries, private online retailers (must have brick-and-mortar storefront as well)
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household permitted
Possession limits: 30 grams in public
Yukon
Age of majority: 19
Where you can smoke: Prohibited in public places
Where to get it: One province-run dispensary in Whitehorse, initially; private retailers/dispensaries (min. 6 months post-legalization); online (government-run and private)
Home growing: Up to 4 plants per household permitted
Possession limits: 30 grams in public or in a vehicle
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