It’s legal across the country but each province and territory has its own laws for cannabis consumption. Where you can purchase cannabis, where you can consume it, and how many cannabis plants you can grown in your home are all dictated by the province. In some cases, things can even be dictated by municipal governments. In places where the regulations contradict each other, you always adhere to the ones that are the most strict. Knowing the cannabis laws by province and territory will help make the cannabis community a safer place for everyone. Find your location, know your rules, and enjoy responsibly!
British Columbia
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch is responsible for operating online sales of cannabis. They are also the only wholesale distributor supplying legal cannabis to public BC Cannabis Stores. British Columbia also allows for private licensed retail stores.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: Government operated online retail and privately operated retail locations.
Can you grow your own: Yes, 4 plants maximum per household. Can’t be in a space that is visible from a public place, like parks, streets, sidewalks, sports fields, and K-12 school properties.
Where consumption is prohibited: Everywhere tobacco smoking and vaping are prohibited, as well as at “playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, and other places where children commonly gather.” Cannot be consumed in vehicles or on school grounds.
Alberta
The Alberta government is responsible for the online sales of cannabis. Storefront retail locations can be operated by private companies under the oversight of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. The AGLC is the only online retailer permitted in the province.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 18+
Points of purchase: Government operated online retail and privately operated retail locations.
Can you grow your own: Yes, 4 plants maximum per household. Rental agreements or condo bylaws may impact your ability to grow cannabis at home.
Where consumption is prohibited: Smoking or vaping of cannabis will be prohibited in motor vehicles, wherever tobacco use is also restricted, and in areas frequented by young children. It is also prohibited on any hospital, school, or child care facility property, as well as in a prescribed distance of a playground, outdoor pool, or sports field.
Saskatchewan
Cannabis sales in Saskatchewan are through government-regulated private retailers, both in store and online. There is no online government cannabis store.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: Privately operated retail locations regulated by the government and online sales.
Can you grow your own: Yes, 4 plants maximum per household. Landlords and condo boards have the right to impose restrictions.
Where consumption is prohibited: Consuming cannabis in public places is prohibited. Consumption in a vehicle, either by a passenger or driver, is also prohibited.
Manitoba
The Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba regulates storage, distribution, and sales of cannabis.
Cannabis sales are within the private sector. Licensed brick-and-mortar stores are also allowed to offer online and telephone sales. There is no government-run online retailer.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: Private retail stores either in person, online, or by telephone.
Can you grow your own: Recreational consumers cannot grow their own cannabis.
Where consumption is prohibited: Smoking and vaping cannabis is illegal in public places.
Ontario
The government of Ontario allows for stand-alone cannabis retailers run by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). These retail locations can sell cannabis from behind the counter. The only places to purchase cannabis in Ontario are online through the Ontario Cannabis store, or in person at an authorized retailer.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: Ontario Cannabis Store and authorized storefront locations.
Can you grow your own: Yes, 4 plants maximum per household. Landlords and condo boards have the authority to place restrictions.
Where consumption is prohibited: Smoking and vaping cannabis is prohibited in indoor common areas or public places, school and places where children gather, vehicles and boats that are being driven or will be driven, hospitals, or certain outdoor areas.
Québec
The Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC) is responsible for purchasing cannabis from licensed producers, as well as transportation and storage. Only the SQDC can sell cannabis in Québec, both online and in stores. Cannabis at SQDC stores cannot be accessed by customers without the assistance of an employee.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 21+
Points of purchase: Government operated online retail and storefront locations.
Can you grow your own: No, cultivating cannabis for personal use is prohibited, as is owning a cannabis plant.
Where consumption is prohibited: Smoking and vaping cannabis is prohibited in public spaces, both indoor and outdoor, as well as any space where smoking cigarettes is prohibited.
New Brunswick
Cannabis NB is the only legal retailer of cannabis in the province, both online and in store. New Brunswick does not allow for private retailers.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: Cannabis NB retail store locations or Cannabis NB online retailer.
Can you grow your own: Yes, 4 plants maximum per household. Plants grown outside must be kept behind a locked enclosure that is at least 1.52 metres tall.
Where consumption is prohibited: Consuming cannabis is prohibited anywhere that is not your private dwelling or land adjacent to your private dwelling (such as a backyard). You must have the permission of the home owner to consume cannabis in a residence that is not your own.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Cannabis is sold in approved private retail stores with distribution handled through the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation. The NLLC is the only online cannabis retailer in the province.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: Licensed private retailers and government-operated online sales.
Can you grow your own: Yes, maximum of 4 plants per household. The plants cannot be visible from a public place.
Where consumption is prohibited: Smoking or vaping of cannabis is prohibited anywhere that is not your private dwelling or the yard attached to your dwelling.
Nova Scotia
Cannabis sales are handled by select Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation. They have brick-and-mortar stores and run the provincial online retailer. Nova Scotia does not allow for private cannabis retailers.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: NSLC storefronts and online retailer.
Can you grow your own: Yes, maximum of 4 plants per household.
Where consumption is prohibited: Consuming combustible cannabis products is prohibited in public places.
Prince Edward Island
PEI Cannabis is responsible for all cannabis sales in the province. It’s run through standalone government-run storefronts and their online retail site.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: Online retailer or one of four PEI Cannabis locations (Charlottetown, Summerside, O’Leary, and Montague)
Can you grow your own: Yes, up to 4 plants per household. Cannot be accessible to minors.
Where consumption is prohibited: Cannabis use is prohibited in public spaces, and is only permitted in private residences, which can include “such places as a house, an apartment, a hotel room, a campsite.”
Yukon Territory
Yukon allows for cannabis sales online through its government retailer or in person at a licensed private retail location.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: Through CannabisYukon.org or in person at licensed private retailers.
Can you grow your own: Yes, maximum of 4 plants per household.
Where consumption is prohibited: Smoking or vaping cannabis is prohibited in the presence of a person who does not want to be exposed to smoking or vaping, the presence of health or social service providers, or other public space as defined by the government.
Northwest Territories
Purchasing cannabis in the Northwest Territories is limited to the NWT Liquor & Cannabis Commission’s website, or in person at most NWT Liquor Stores. There are no private cannabis retailers in the Northwest Territories.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: NWTLCC website, or in person at most NWT Liquor Stores
Can you grow your own: Yes, 4 plants maximum per household.
Where consumption is prohibited: Consuming cannabis is prohibited at any public event, or in public spaces used by children.
Nunavut
The Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC) is responsible for selling and distributing cannabis products. Nunavummiut can only purchase cannabis from licensed agents of the NULC.
Here are the quick facts:
Possession limit: 30 g in a public space
Legal age of consumption: 19+
Points of purchase: Licensed agents of the NULC
Can you grow your own: Yes, 4 plants per household.
Where consumption is prohibited: Cannabis consumption is not permitted in most public places and is limited to private residences or licensed smoke lounges.
*NOTE: The regulations listed are not exhaustive. This information was obtained from government sources regarding the legalization of recreational cannabis. This information is for reference only and must not be used as legal advice. We do our best to keep this section up to date and factual, but we cannot guarantee that the information will be current at all times. Any legal inquiries should be directed to a lawyer.