A List Of All The New Marijuana Regulations In Every Canadian Province
Recreational marijuana officially becomes legal in Canada on October 17th, 2018.
But while legalization is federal, it's up to individual provinces and municipalities to distribute, regulate, and enforce new laws.
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That creates a web of differing rules across the country for Canadians to navigate. A simple border crossing from Quebec to Ontario comes with a slew of new laws to follow.
The border with the United States also poses a risk to the casual marijuana smoker. Weed consumption is still a federal American crime, and Canadians who admit to smoking it or working in the marijuana industry can be turned away or even banned for life.
But to help you make sense of the diverse marijuana laws across Canada, here's a list of rules by jurisdiction:
British Columbia
Retailers: government monopoly through the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch
Grow at home? Yes, up to four plants
Possession limit: 30 grams in public
Minimum age: 19
Other quirks: Any plants privately grown must not be visible from any public space
Alberta
Retailer: private stores will receive stock from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
Grow at home? Yes, up to four plants
Possession limit: 30 grams in public, no limit at home
Minimum age: 18, minors are not even allowed in cannabis stores
Other quirks: marijuana "cannot be within reach" of anyone driving a car
Saskatchewan
Retailers: privately-run but regulated by the Liquor and Gaming Authority
Grow at home? Yes, up to four plants
Possession limit: 30 grams in public
Minimum age: 19
Other quirks: There is a zero-tolerance policy for driving high. Penalties are steep and punishments are harsh. Just don't do it.
Manitoba
Retailers: privately-run stores with stock from the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation
Grow at home? No
Possession limit: 30 grams in public, no limit at home
Minimum age: 19
Other quirks: Smoking while drunk is not allowed; providing weed to an intoxicated person is a crime.
Ontario
Retailers: right now, the government will have a monopoly through the Ontario Cannabis store. Though, the province has delayed their opening, signalling that the new government under Doug Ford may move toward private retailers.
Grow at home? Yes, up to four plants
Possession limit: 30 grams in public, no limit at home
Minimum age: 19
Other quirks: consumption is completely banned in all public spaces, including parks
Quebec
Retailers: government monopoly through the Sociรฉtรฉ quรฉbรฉcoise du cannabis (SQDC)
Grow at home? No
Possession limit: 30 gram purchase limit, 150 gram possession limit
Minimum age: 18
Other quirks: no smoking in tents, and you can posess less marijuana if you have a roommate who also smokes
New Brunswick
Retailers: government monoply through Cannabis New Brunswick
Grow at home? Yes, up to four plants
Possession limit: 30 grams in public, no limit at home
Minimum age: 19
Other quirks: smoking is strictly forbidden in any public places
Nova Scotia
Retailers: government monopoly through the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
Grow at home? Yes, up to four plants.
Possession limit: 30 grams in public, no limit in your own home
Minimum age: 19
Other quirks: Smoking in public will be very tricky given this extensive list of place where weed consumption is banned. It's best to only smoke in the privacy of your own home to avoid getting caught violating a minor provision. Also, liquor and cannabis will be sold in the same location.
Prince Edward Island
Retailers: government monopoly through the PEI Cannabis Management Corporation
Grow at home? Yes, up to four plants
Possession limit: 30 grams in public, no limit in your home
Minimum age: 19
Other quirks: So far, PEI is the only province where smoking in hotel rooms is allowed. This creates the possibility of beachside marijuana resorts on the tiny but beautiful Maritime island.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Retailers: privately-owned
Grow at home? Yes, though the government website offers no information on limits
Possession limit: 30 grams everywhere
Minimum age: 19
Other quirks: Cannabis accessories will be available alongside product at private stores.