Marijuana Legalization Laws Per Province in Canada

Canada marijuana legalization laws go into effect as of 17 October 2018. For the most part, anyone 19 or above will be able to buy and grow marijuana legally, but this will vary depending on your location.

On a federal level, Canada Cannabis laws state that adults 18 years of age or above can possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis. There are also separate limits for different forms of cannabis, such as 450 grams of edibles, 7.5 grams of cannabis concentrates or 30 cannabis plant seeds. Adults can also grow up to four cannabis plants in their own residence.

However, rules and regulations vary depending on location. Here are the marijuana legalization laws per province in Canada.

Alberta Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 18

Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants

Alberta Cannabis Laws state adults can buy and possess up to 30 grams at 18 years old. Those younger than 18 won’t be able to enter marijuana stores, even with an adult.

Marijuana will be available from licensed stores and online sales, however, edibles are currently illegal to sell in Alberta. Marijuana must be kept out of reach from anyone in a vehicle.

British Columbia Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants (must not be visible from public spaces)

BC Cannabis Laws require citizens to be 19 years of age or above to buy. Smoking is prohibited in the same places tobacco smoking is prohibited, along with sports fields, parks, and anywhere where children are present.

You can grow up to 4 plants in your home if you reside in the British Columbia. However, these must be kept private and are prohibited in daycares. Retail licensing will work the same way Liquor Stores are currently licensed.

Manitoba Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Prohibited

Adults 19 years of age in Manitoba can buy and possess up to 30 grams. However, growing your own is currently not allowed and municipal governments are able to hold referendums to ban marijuana sales in their area.

Smoking in vehicles is prohibited and your license can be suspended if police believe you’re driving under the influence. Marijuana must be kept safe (e.g. in the glovebox). You must also not smoke near a school.

New Brunswick Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants (must be kept in a locked space)

According to New Brunswick Cannabis laws, anyone 19 years or older can possess up to 30 grams. Those under 19 are not permitted to enter cannabis stores and possession for minors can result in fines or prosecution.

When growing indoors, plants must be kept in a locked space. Outdoor growers must keep plants in a locked enclosure at least 1.52 meters high. Cannabis will be sold by NB Cannabis in New Brunswick Liquor Stores and online.

Newfoundland and Labrador Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Undetermined

Like most other provinces, NFL and Labrador residents will be able to buy marijuana at 19. You will be able to buy marijuana from stores licensed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation and online.

The laws of growing marijuana in Newfoundland and Labrador are currently under discussion. Smoking is only prohibited on private properties and residences.

Northwest Territories Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants

Cannabis laws in the Northwest Territories closely mimic their liquor laws. You can buy and possess up to 30 grams providing you’re 19 or over. Marijuana will initially be sold through liquor stores. Cannabis must be kept in its packaging and inaccessible when driving.

You can grow up to 4 plants, although landlords can set their own restrictions. You can smoke in private residences or on quiet roads, streets, highways, and parks providing they are not in use for public events and no children are present. Municipal governments can set their own restrictions on where to smoke.

Nova Scotia Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants

Adults 19 years or older will be able to buy marijuana from stores run by the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation. Marijuana must be kept unopened while driving and those under 19 caught with weed are subject to criminal punishments.

You can smoke marijuana in the same places you can smoke tobacco, in accordance with the Smoke-free Places Act. You will be able to smoke marijuana and grow up to 4 plants in your private residence, although landlords can set restrictions.

Nunavut Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Undetermined

Adults 19 years of age will be able to purchase marijuana via online sales. It will soon be available via marijuana stores and marijuana lounges, but these aren’t likely to open until 2019.

Nunavut recently scrapped their ban on growing marijuana but Nunavut cannabis growing laws are currently unclear. Licensed marijuana lounges will open in the future, giving smokers a place to smoke in public.

Ontario Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants

Ontario plans to sell marijuana via online sales initially. Privately run retail stores will also be able to operate as of April 2019.

You will be able to smoke and grow up to 4 plants in your private residence. You must not smoke recreational cannabis in any public places, workplaces or in your vehicle.

Prince Edward Island Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants

The Prince Edward Island government will sell cannabis to residents 19 years and above via online sales and four retail stores initially.

Smoking will be limited to private residents. You will also be able to grow up to 4 plants, but these must be kept out of the reach of children.

Quebec Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 18

Growing Laws: Illegal

Quebec is one of two Canadian provinces (along with Alberta) to allow 18-year-olds to purchase and possess marijuana. Marijuana will be sold via government-operated stores and online sales.

Smoking is permitted where tobacco is, although smoking cannabis on university campuses is restricted. Growing cannabis at home in Quebec will remain illegal.

Saskatchewan Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants

Adults 19 years and over in Saskatchewan can buy and possess up to 30 grams of marijuana. Smoking in any public place is prohibited and must be kept to private residences.

You can also grow up to 4 plants at home in Saskatchewan. However, landlords are able to restrict growing on their properties. A limited amount of recreational marijuana stores will be licensed in Saskatchewan. Minors are prohibited from entering marijuana stores.

Yukon Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to 4 plants

Like most other provinces, adults 19 years of age or above can buy marijuana in Yukon, Canada. It will be sold through government stores and online sales.

You are also permitted to grow up to 4 cannabis plants at home. However, these must be kept out of public sight and landlords can set their own restrictions.

Conclusion

For the most part, anyone 19 years of age or older (18 years in Alberta and Quebec) will be able to buy and possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis (or equivalent values for other forms).

Growing up to four plants at home is permitted everywhere except Quebec, Manitoba, and potentially Nunavut and N.L., although the latter two may allow it eventually. Providing you avoid smoking in unlicensed public places and never smoke while driving, you won’t face any legal trouble.