Is cannabis legal in Canada?

Canada is a Northamerican country divided into ten provinces (or federal states) and three territories grouped into four regions: Western Canada, Central Canada, Atlantic Canada and Northern Canada. It is indeed a very attractive country for tourists as it has different places of interest such as Ottawa and Quebec, or the very popular Niagara Falls, spanning the border between the province of Ontario in Canada, and the state of New York in the United States.

However, there is a recurrent question when it comes to preparing your suitcase with all your indispensable stuff to go on vacation: clothes, food, your favorite bong… and what about your weed? Thus, in this article we are going to discuss if cannabis is legal or not in Canada for tourists.

Is cannabis legal in Canada for tourists?

We are sorry to inform you that, in fact, it is not possible to cross the border (either entering or leaving) in possession of cannabis as it is not legal. It doesn’t matter how much cannabis it is and if it’s medical or not. However, all CBD products derived from hemp plants are legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC.

If someone crosses the border with cannabis, this person may be charged with a criminal offense or be denied entry forever to this wonderful country. You must always follow the rules if you don’t want to get in trouble: “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

However, in regards to legality, recreational cannabis is legal in this country since the Government of Canada legalized, regulated and restricted cannabis on October 17, 2018. In general terms, adults can legally buy, possess and consume it following some specifications depending on each province as we’ll see below.

Cannabis legality in Canada

Like in any other country of the world, such as the United States, laws vary depending on which state, province or territory you are visiting. Here, we’ll see more details like buying, possessing and consuming recreational Cannabis in every region of Canada.

Alberta

• Capital: Edmonton.
• Legal age: 18.
• Where to buy: legal websites and licensed stores.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30g.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties and some public places where tobacco is also allowed.

British Columbia

• Capital: Victoria.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: licensed stores.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30g.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties and some public places where tobacco is also allowed.

Manitoba

• Capital: Winnipeg.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: licensed stores.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30g.
• Plants per household: it is not allowed to grow plants at home in Manitoba.
• It can be consumed in private properties only.

New Brunswick

• Capital: Fredericton.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: licensed stores.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties only.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Capital: St. John’s.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: licensed stores.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties only.

Northwest Territories

• Capital: Yellowknife.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NTLCC) is responsible for the distribution and sale of cannabis in the NWT.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30g.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties and parks not surrounded by children.

Nova Scotia

• Capital: Halifax Regional Municipality.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: legal websites and licensed stores.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30g.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties only.

Nunavut

• Capital: Iqaluit.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: legal websites and licensed stores.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30g.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties and some public places where tobacco is also allowed.

Ontario

• Capital: Toronto.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: The Ontario Cannabis Store website is the only legal way to purchase all forms of recreational cannabis online.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30g.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties, some public places where tobacco is also allowed.

Prince Edward Island

• Capital: Charlottetown.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: There are four cannabis retail stores in Prince Edward Island located in O’Leary, Summerside, Charlottetown and Montague.
• Allowed amount in public: up to 30g.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties only.

Quebec

• Capital: Quebec City.
• Legal age: 21.
• Where to buy: Only the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) is authorized for the retail sale of cannabis in Québec.
• Allowed amount: up to 30g in public, up to 150g in a private property.
• Plants per household: it is not allowed to grow plants at home in Quebec.
• It can be consumed in private properties only.

Saskatchewan

• Capital: Regina.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: legal websites and licensed stores.
• Allowed amount: up to 30g in public
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties only.

Yukon

• Capital: Whitehorse.
• Legal age: 19.
• Where to buy: licensed stores.
• Allowed amount: up to 30g in public.
• Plants per household: max. 4 plants.
• It can be consumed in private properties only.

It should be noted that cannabis is a substance that may alter your perception just like alcohol or other toxic substances, thus, it is strictly forbidden to drive under the effects of any of these toxic substances.

As you can see, the average age to legally buy, possess and consume cannabis in Canadian territory is 19 except for Quebec (21) and Alberta (18). Also, the permitted amount to carry in public is up to 30 g (1.05 oz) in public, and you can grow up to four plants per household in all the country but in Quebec and Minatoba.

Despite all the provided information, it is better to specifically check the legality of the country or state you are visiting in order to avoid any compromised situations or legal troubles.

Prescribed cannabis

As we said at the beginning of this informative article, you can’t cross the Canadian border either with recreational or medical cannabis as it is not permitted, unless you are an authorized patient. Only people who have prescribed and authorized cannabis for medical purposes can either enter or leave the country carrying their therapeutic substances as long as they declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency.

When it comes to preparing your suitcase with all your indispensable stuff to go on vacation, it is about what kind of substances you can legally bring with you in your suitcase if you don’t want to get in trouble: “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”