Cannabis Regulations – The Complete Guide
Although recreational and medicinal cannabis is legal within Canada, cannabis regulations between different provinces and territories will differ.
Provincial cannabis regulations dictate everything involving cannabis from where you can purchase and consume it to how much of it you can have on your person and how many plants you can grow at home.
Sometimes, municipalities and townships can enact additional regulations on top of provincial ones. In cases like these, you must adhere to the most restrictive regulation. Staying on top of the cannabis regulations in your community and your province helps make the community safer for everybody.
If you’re unsure what the regulations are where you’re located, find your province below to learn more about what you can or can’t do with cannabis to enjoy responsibly!
Cannabis Regulations by Province
Please note that this information is obtained from government sources. This information is for reference only and must not be used as legal advice.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, the distribution of cannabis for retailers is controlled by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch. While BC allows for privately licensed cannabis retail stores, the sale of online cannabis is largely facilitated by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch.
British Columbia Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Government-operated in-person and online stores or private licensed in-person stores.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Prohibited anywhere tobacco smoking and vaping are prohibited. Areas where children commonly gather, such as playgrounds, sports fields, and skateparks. Consumption within vehicles or on school grounds is also prohibited.
Alberta
Alberta’s government manages and operates the online sales of cannabis. Retail stores are operated by private companies but are regulated by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, which is also the only licensed online retailer in the province.
Alberta Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 18+
Legal Points of Purchase: Government-operated in-person and online stores or private licensed in-person stores.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Prohibited anywhere tobacco smoking and vaping are prohibited. Areas where children commonly gather, such as playgrounds, sports fields, and skateparks and within vehicles or on school grounds, hospital and child care facilities are prohibited, as well as areas close to playgrounds, outdoor pools or sports fields.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan does not have a government-operated online cannabis store. Instead, cannabis sales are conducted through private retail and online stores under the oversight of the provincial government.
Saskatchewan Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Private licensed in-person and online stores.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Consumption in public spaces, within a vehicle, either by a driver or a passenger are prohibited.
Manitoba
In Manitoba, the Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Authority regulate the retail sale of cannabis, but there is no government-operated online store. In addition to traditional retail, stores are also permitted to offer online and telephone sales.
Manitoba Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Private licensed in person and online stores.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: The smoking and vaping of cannabis is illegal in public spaces.
Ontario
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) operates their own retail locations, an online store, and authorized retailers.
Ontario Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Private licensed in-person stores or government-operated online stores.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Indoor common areas, public places, within vehicles and boats that are or will be driven, hospitals, places where children gather and certain outdoor areas are prohibited.
Québec
Québec offers online and retail sales through its retail stores, which are operated by the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC).
Québec Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 21+
Legal Points of Purchase: Government-operated in-person and online stores
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Public indoor and outdoor places and any area where cigarette smoking is not permitted are prohibited.
New Brunswick
The sole legal cannabis retailer in New Brunswick is Cannabis NB. The government-operated retailer offers online and retail sales.
New Brunswick Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Government-operated in-person and government-operated online store.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Prohibited anywhere that is not your private dwelling or land adjacent to your private dwelling. Permission from the landowner must be obtained before cannabis can be consumed on property that is not your own.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Private retail stores approved by the provincial government are permitted to operate retail sales with distribution handled by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLLC). The NLCC is also the only legal online cannabis retailer in the province.
Newfoundland & Labrador Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Government-operated in-person and online stores
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Prohibited anywhere that is not your own private dwelling or land attached to your private dwelling.
Nova Scotia
Select Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) stores are the only entities permitted to facilitate cannabis sales through retail and online sales.
Nova Scotia Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Government-operated in-person and online stores.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Any public place.
Prince Edward Island
The Prince Edward Island Cannabis Management Corporation oversees the operation of four cannabis retail locations and an e-commerce platform.
Prince Edward Island Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Government-operated in-person and online stores.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Any public place; permitted in private residences or properties such as dwellings and campsites.
Yukon Territory
The only legal online retailer within the Yukon Territory is Cannabis Yukon. Privately licensed retailers are allowed to sell non-medicinal cannabis.
Yukon Territory Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Privately licensed in-person stores or government-operated online store.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Prohibited in or near the presence of any individual who does not want to be exposed, health and social service providers and public spaces.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NTLCC) regulates the distribution of alcohol and cannabis. There are no private retailers within the territory. Most NTLCC liquor stores, as well as the NTLCC website, will offer cannabis for sale.
Northwest Territories Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Government-operated in-person and online stores.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Any public event and public spaces used by children.
Nunavut
The Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC) operates cannabis sales cannabis remotely (online and by phone), in physical stores, and through licensed agents.
Nunavut Regulations Summary
Public Possession Limits: 30 g in public
Legal Age: 19+
Legal Points of Purchase: Government-operated online store or by phone.
Prohibited Consumption Zones: Most public spaces, with the exception of licensed smoke lounges.
Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations
Implemented in 2016, the new Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) replaced the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR).
Implemented under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the new regulations were enacted as a response to the Federal Court of Canada’s decision in the Allard v. Canada case. In the proceedings, the ruling declared that requiring individuals to source their cannabis from licensed producers violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In other words, the Court ruled that individuals who required medicinal cannabis did not have “reasonable access.”
From August 24, 2016, onwards, Health Canada will accept applications from individuals seeking to grow a limited amount of cannabis for personal, medical purposes with approval from a health care practitioner.
Impacts for Health Practitioners
Individuals that require cannabis for medical purposes must get a medical document from an authorized medical practitioner.
Similar to a prescription, this document must contain:
- the authorized health care practitioner’s licence information
- the patient’s name and date of birth
- a period of use of up to one (1) year
- a daily quantity of dried marijuana expressed in grams
In a healthcare facility or hospital setting, the hospital director can allow cannabis and cannabis products to be administered, sold or provided directly to the patient or an individual responsible for the patient.
Impacts for Licensed Producers
In addition to regulating the activities and general responsibilities of licenced producers, the ACMPR also for the production and sale of cannabis seeds and plants for registered individuals to cultivate cannabis for personal consumption.
Impacts for Individuals Requiring Cannabis for Medical Purposes
With authorization from their health care practitioner, individuals with a medical need can access quality-controlled cannabis through either of the following three avenues:
- Registering and purchasing from licensed producers;
- Registering with Health Canada to produce a limited amount for medical purposes;
- Designate another individual to produce a limited amount for them.
Individuals without access can meet with their health care practitioner to decide if cannabis is a viable treatment option.
Cannabis Edible Regulations Canada
Canada’s Cannabis 2.0 regulations allow for the production and sale of cannabis extracts, topicals and edibles.
Edible cannabis products consumed via eating or drinking must adhere to the following stipulations:
- Maximum of 10 mg of THC per package
- No added vitamins or minerals
- No nicotine or added alcohol
- Limits on caffeine
Additionally, the marketing of edible cannabis products must follow these limitations:
- Must be sold in plain, child-resistant packaging
- Must not be appealing to youth
- Must not make health claims
- No elements that would associate the product with alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or vaping products
- Must not make dietary claims
- Must not make cosmetic claims
Finally, the cannabis packaging for edible cannabis products must contain:
- Standardized cannabis symbol for products containing THC
- Health Warning Message
- THC/CBD content
- Equivalency to dried cannabis to determine public possession limit
- Ingredient list
- Allergens
- Nutrition Facts Table
Know Your Cannabis Regulations
Staying on top of cannabis regulations, no matter where you’re located helps to keep the cannabis community and yourself safe. Even if things are done differently from province to province, it’s best to err on the side of caution. It’s important for everyone to do their part to know the rules, follow the regulations and consume responsibly!