Marijuana became legal in Canada back on October 17, 2018, and since then, legal cannabis has become more and more accessible across the country. Adults in every province and territory now have access to legal marijuana products like strains, concentrates, and oils, available in both physical stores and online. However, there are still certain laws every user needs to abide by, and users may want to look ahead to Canada marijuana laws in 2020.
For the most part, cannabis laws in Canada are fairly unrestrictive, especially with the high possession limits. However, each province and territory sets its own laws and there are some differences in how old you need to be, where you can smoke it, and whether you can grow it. It’s important to keep up to date with the latest marijuana laws to make sure you don’t land yourself in any legal trouble.
There are also certain things which you must avoid at all costs, such as providing weed to minors or transporting weed across the country’s borders. However, most users shouldn’t have any issue if they only use marijuana for personal use. So what are the laws on marijuana in Canada exactly? Here’s everything you need to know about Canada marijuana laws in 2020.
Canada Marijuana Possession Laws
Although you can buy marijuana as frequently as you want, you can only possess up to a certain amount in public. Fortunately, the legal limits on possession in Canada are fairly generous and you can still buy plenty of weed for your stash.
The Canadian Department of Justice states that adults can carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis. For reference, an ounce of cannabis is 28 grams, and most consumers who need marijuana for personal use won’t need more than that. Other cannabis products have different possession limits, which you can see below.
- 30 grams of dried cannabis (weed/flower)
- 150 grams of fresh cannabis
- 450 grams of edibles
- 2100 grams (4.62 pounds) of liquid products (e.g. tinctures and vape oils)
- 7.5 grams of concentrates (solid or liquid)
- 30 cannabis plant seeds
The limitations on medical marijuana patients authorized by Health Canada are much less restrictive. According to Health Canada, medical marijuana patients can carry up to an extra 150 grams of dried cannabis (or the equivalent of other products) or up to a 30-day supply.
If you’re caught carrying more than the possession limits, then you may be subject to a fine or even jail time for larger amounts. These limits apply to when you’re carrying cannabis in public or your vehicle, so don’t try and buy more than you need from a store.
Although you’re limited to how much marijuana you can carry in public, you can keep as much as you want at home. Just keep it stashed away, out of public sight, and out of the reach of any children or animals. Many users prefer to buy cannabis online when they need to stash up on cannabis products to avoid exceeding public possession limits.
Legal Age For Marijuana In Canada
When marijuana became legal in Canada in 2018, the government stated that adults aged 18 or over can legally buy and use marijuana products. However, laws differ between different provinces and territories.
The legal age to use marijuana in Alberta is 18+ and you must be 21+ in Quebec. Users in every other province and territory must be 19 years of age or older to buy and use marijuana. You must also respect the laws of other provinces, so 18-year-old users in Quebec can’t take marijuana to Ontario, for example.
These rules also apply to who you can share weed with. Although you’re legally able to give marijuana as a gift to other legal adults, you must never give marijuana to anyone under the legal age in your province. Supplying marijuana to minors is a serious offense which is punishable by law.
Canada Marijuana Growing Laws
The laws on growing marijuana also differ between provinces and territories. The Canadian government ruled that any legal adults would be allowed to grow up to four active marijuana plants at a time. However, there are a few important rules to follow if you plan to grow marijuana, and a couple of provinces don’t allow growing at all.
Growing marijuana is still illegal in Quebec and Manitoba. Users must buy cannabis instead of trying to grow it at home. Nunavut growing laws are less clear, and users may or may not be able to grow depending on which part they live in. In every other province and territory, legal adults can grow up to four active marijuana plants at a time.
You can grow marijuana either indoors or outdoors. If you plan to grow marijuana indoors, you must keep your plants away from children and also out of public view. If you plan to grow outdoors, you must also keep your plants out of public view, which means you won’t be able to grow marijuana on your front yard.
You should also fence off your outdoor growing space- New Brunswick requires a fenced enclosure of at least 1.52 meters high around any outdoor marijuana plants. This will help to keep children and animals away.
Bear in mind that landlords can restrict any kind of marijuana growing on your property. If you rent and decide to start growing marijuana, you may want to ask your landlord for clearance first.
Other than that, marijuana laws are fairly straightforward- just make sure you’re only growing up to four plants at a time and no more. You can keep all of the weed you harvest at home, even if it’s more than the public possession limits.
Public Smoking Laws In Canada
It’s also important to know where you’re legally able to smoke. Every province allows you to smoke in private residences and private property, but the laws on where you can smoke in public vary between different provinces and territories. Some allow you to smoke in certain public places whereas some require that you don’t smoke in public at all.
Provinces and territories such as Alberta, BC, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec allow you to smoke in public places where tobacco is permitted. However, there must be no children present and no ongoing public events. You must also not be near a school or educational facility. For the most part, users can smoke on parks, roads, trails, and other public places as long as they adhere to these rules.
If Canada marijuana laws in 2020 change, we may begin to see more cannabis lounges and cafes. Some provincial governments are already considering the possibility of opening pot lounges, and there are already some public patios for cannabis use in places such as Toronto.
In some parts of Canada, you’ll have to use weed in private. That means you can smoke in your home or garden or a friend’s place away from public sight. Landlords can restrict the use of marijuana on their property. If you’re unsure where you can smoke in your province, you can check your provincial marijuana laws.
Where To Buy Marijuana In Canada
Since marijuana became legal, tons of ways to legally buy pot have emerged. Cannabis stores are now open in many parts of the country, and many more will open up as time goes on. The way stores are licensed and opened can vary between provinces, but users in every province can also buy weed online.
Most provinces and territories now have a range of legal cannabis stores where you can walk in and buy from a range of strains, concentrates, oils, and other marijuana products. You don’t need a medical card to buy marijuana- just present a passport, driver’s license or another form of government I.D. to prove that you’re of legal age.
In some parts of Canada, cannabis is sold via liquor stores or government-run stores. In others, privately-run marijuana stores can gain licensing from the government. Some provinces are slower than others with the process of licensing and opening cannabis stores, so some users may find they don’t have a store near them yet.
If you prefer more convenience, you can also buy marijuana online in any province or territory. It’s quick, convenient, and you can get all the products you need to be delivered directly to your address safely and discreetly. Delivery is available all over Canada, even in rural areas.
Canada Marijuana Laws In Each Province
While certain rules such as possession laws are the same in each province and territory, there are some differences when it comes to things like legal age, growing laws, and where you can smoke. It’s important to know the laws of your specific province or territory to avoid any legal hassle. Here’s a breakdown of Canada marijuana laws in each province and territory.
Alberta
Legal Age: 18
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
You can smoke at home or other private residences/properties and in public places where smoking tobacco is permitted. You must not smoke in vehicles or near children.
British Columbia
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
Smoking is permitted at home/private residences and public places where tobacco is permitted as long as it’s not in a vehicle or around children.
Manitoba
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Illegal
Smoking is limited to private places such as your home or friend’s homes. Growing is still illegal in Manitoba.
New Brunswick
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants (outdoor plants must have a fenced enclosure at least 1.52m high)
Smoking is allowed on private residences/properties, subject to landlord restrictions.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
Smoking is allowed on private residences/properties, subject to landlord restrictions.
Northwest Territories
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
You can smoke on private residences/properties. You can also smoke in certain public places, including parks, roads, and trails, as long as there are no ongoing events and no children present.
Nova Scotia
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
Smoking is allowed on private residences/properties, subject to landlord restrictions. Smoking is also permitted in public places where tobacco is permitted.
Nunavut
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Regulated by territory
Smoking is allowed on private residences/properties, subject to landlord restrictions. Nunavut plans to issue licenses for public smoking for cannabis lounges and events.
Ontario
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
You can smoke on private residences/properties and certain public spaces such as streets, parks, and trails as long as there are no children present.
Prince Edward Island
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
You can smoke on private residences/properties and certain designated public areas.
Quebec
Legal Age: 21
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
You can smoke on private residences/properties and any public place where tobacco is permitted (barring university campuses). You must not smoke near children.
Saskatchewan
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
Smoking is allowed on private residences/properties, subject to landlord restrictions.
Yukon
Legal Age: 19
Growing: Legal, up to four active plants
Smoking is allowed on private residences/properties, subject to landlord restrictions.
Conclusion
Compared to most other countries, Canada marijuana laws are very unrestrictive. While you’ll have to be careful about where you smoke and how much you carry, adults are now able to grow marijuana, buy marijuana in stores, and even buy marijuana online.
How Canada marijuana laws in 2020 change is yet to be seen- there could be some changes such as more designated public smoking places and the sale of edibles in stores, and potentially a higher legal age in Quebec.
