Recreational Cannabis Across Canada

When it comes to non-medical cannabis for adult-use, how and where cannabis can be sold, as well as possession limits, usage locations and personal cultivation requirements are all governed by the provinces and territories. To help our patients decipher what is happening where, we have put all the most important regulations in one place, listed by province.

 

ALBERTA

Legal age to purchase: 18

Wholesale distributer and regulator: Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.

Retail outlets: Adult-use cannabis will be sold in private brick-and-mortar stores. Alberta has also said it is open to cannabis cafes and lounges in the future.

Online sales: Government operated.

Home grow restrictions: Four plants per household.

Consumption restrictions: Cannabis will not be permitted where smoking is not allowed. Hotels may designate specific rooms for cannabis consumption. Individual municipalities may introduce their own restrictions as well.

 

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Legal age to purchase: 19

Wholesale distributer and regulator: BC Liquor Distribution Branch.

Retail outlets: There will be both privately run and government-operated retail stores, with significant power given to local governments to determine where and if adult-use stores can operate.

Online sales: Government operated through BC Cannabis Stores.

Home grow restrictions: Four plants per household that may not be visible by the public.

Consumption restrictions: Cannabis will not be permitted on public land and only (generally) where tobacco is allowed. British Columbia is still deciding if hotels may allow rooms for cannabis use.

 

MANITOBA

Legal age to purchase: 19

Wholesale distributer and regulator: Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp will oversee wholesale and distribution.

Retail outlets: The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority will license private distributors, allowing both corporate retailers and small entrepreneurs to operate in the retail sector.

Online sales: Manitoba is one of the only provinces that will allow private retailers to sell cannabis online.

Home grow restrictions: No home growing will be allowed.

Consumption restrictions: Cannabis will not be allowed in enclosed public spaces. Hotels may designate specific rooms for cannabis consumption.

 

NEW BRUNSWICK

Legal age to purchase: 19

Wholesale distributer and regulator: Cannabis Management Corp.

Retail outlets: Fewer than two dozen government-owned stores.

Online sales: Government-led Cannabis NB.

Home grow restrictions: Four plants per household.

Consumption restrictions: Use of cannabis will be restricted at the discretion of the home or land owner.

 

NEW FOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Legal age to purchase: 19

Wholesale distributer and regulator: Cannabis NL (a government body).

Retail outlets: A limited number of private retailers regulated by the government, with four tiers of retail licenses. These include everything from stand-alone cannabis stores to licenses that allow sales behind a counter with the cannabis hidden from view.

Online sales: Government operated.

Home grow restrictions: Four plants per household.

Consumption restrictions: Cannabis use will only be allowed in private residences.

 

NOVA SCOTIA

Legal age to purchase: 19

Wholesale distributer and regulator: Nova Scotia Liquor Corp.

Retail outlets: Sales will take place at 12 government-run stores initially.

Online sales: Government operated.

Home grow restrictions: Four plants per household.

Consumption restrictions: Cannabis use will only be allowed in private residences and public consumption will be generally restricted wherever tobacco is banned.

 

ONTARIO

Legal age to purchase: 19

Wholesale distributer and regulator: Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

Retail outlets: Although initially all retail stores were to be government run, recently the Ontario government announced that it will allow recreational cannabis to be sold in retail stores. No stores will be open until April 2019.

Online sales: Government operated.

Home grow restrictions: Four plants per household.

Consumption restrictions: Cannabis use will only be allowed in private residences, although the province is still weighing their options.

 

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Legal age to purchase: 19

Wholesale distributer and regulator: Prince Edward Island Liquor Control Commission.

Retail outlets: Four government-owned stores.

Online sales: Government operated.

Home grow restrictions: Four plants per household.

Consumption restrictions: Cannabis will not be permitted where smoking is not allowed. Hotels may designate specific rooms for cannabis consumption.

 

QUEBEC

Legal age to purchase: 18

Wholesale distributer and regulator: Societé des alcools du Québec.

Retail outlets: 20 government-run stores initially.

Online sales: Government operated.

Home grow restrictions: No home growing will be allowed.

Consumption restrictions: No cannabis consumption will be allowed in enclosed public spaces.

 

SASKATCHEWAN

Legal age to purchase: 19

Provincial distributer: Private sector.

Retail outlets: 51 stores for the first three years, as permitted by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority who will issue permits to both private cannabis retailers and private wholesalers.

Online sales: Privately operated through retailers.

Home grow restrictions: No home growing will be allowed.

Consumption restrictions: Cannabis use in public places is banned. Hotels may designate specific rooms for cannabis consumption.