On October 17th, marijuana will be completely legal in Canada.
Anyone can walk into any dispensary and buy handfuls of flower, oils, pre-rolls and seeds.
Eager tourists from the US and across the globe will cross the border to partake in this new bounty.
But before you go and join them keep reading to make sure you understand all the rules and regulations around marijuana tourism in the great white north.
Crossing the Border
Thinking about bringing marijuana into Canada?
We would highly recommend against it.
Even though you might be thinking “If it’s legal to possess marijuana in Canada why can’t I bring some in with me?” the government does not agree.
Getting caught bringing marijuana across the border in either direction without an import or export permit is a serious offense and could lead to up to 14 years in prison.
In Store Rules
The first thing you need to know is no smoking inside any dispensary.
Also no one under 18 is ever allowed in a dispensary so don’t bring your children with you.
This rule applies throughout Canada so no exceptions.
When you first enter a dispensary you will likely have to show your ID unless you’re at least 35 years old.
Legal Age 19+
- Ontario
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
Legal Age 18+
- Alberta
- Quebec
What You Can Buy
In the first year of legalization seven product types will be available:]
- Dried flower
- Milled flower
- Oils
- Capsules
- Pre-rolled joints
- Seeds
Consumers can also buy fresh flower that’s not dried, either directly from a licensed producer or from any store that sells it.
Not every province knows what the package sizes will be yet, but this chart from Alberta gives you a good indicator of potential package sizes.
Package Sizes Available for Sale in Alberta
https://aglc.ca/cannabis/commonly-asked-questions
Purchase Limits
Citizens and visitors can legally purchase 30 grams of dried cannabis flower a day.
Because stores sell more than just flower, the government created an equivalent list for other products.
This list is the maximum daily amount of each product type you can purchase:
Dry cannabis – 30 grams
Fresh cannabis – 150 grams
Edibles – 450 grams, or about 45 100mg packs (available October 2019)
Liquids – 2,100 grams or about a 6 pack of infused beverages (available October 2019)
Concentrates – 7.5 grams, or about 8 bottles of cannabis oil
Seeds – 30 cannabis plant seeds
Where are my Edibles and Infused Beverages?
Unfortunately, in Canada edibles and drinks are going to remain off limits until at least a year after legalization.
This means you won’t be able to buy any cookies, candies, drinks, or gummies until October 17, 2019 at the earliest.
It’s not all bad news however, Canadian companies are working on all types of new and exciting products so when edibles and drinks are legalized the selection of non-smokable products will be truly impressive and could exceed the broad selection in legal US states.
Where Can I Smoke?
Each province has different rules on where you can smoke.
Some permit smoking only on private property while others are more lenient and smoking is allowed in specific public areas.
Landlords in many provinces can restrict cannabis use on their property so make sure to check any rental, lease, or hotel agreements to make sure you aren’t breaking the law.
Smoking in Private Residences Only
- Ontario
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Saskatchewan
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Prince Edward Island
- Nunavut
- Yukon
- Prince Edward Island
Other Provinces
Alberta – Prohibited in cars, near minors, and wherever tobacco smoke is prohibited (hospitals, schools, daycare)
British Columbia – Smoking permitted where you can smoke tobacco except for where children may be present (beaches, parks, playgrounds, vehicles).
Nova Scotia – No smoking where tobacco smoke is prohibited or within 20 meters of a playground or sporting arena or event. No smoking on or within 9 metres of hiking trails or within public parks and beaches. Smoking is permitted within a rented campsite. No smoking in a car.
Northwest Territories – Smoking is permitted in restricted public areas and in private residences only.
How Much Marijuana Can I Have on Me?
The possession limit is set at 30 grams of dried cannabis, similar to the daily purchase limit.
If you are caught with more than 30 grams, you will be given a C$200 ticket, though if you have way more than the legal amount, you could end up in jail.
Driving While High
The rules around driving under the influence of cannabis will be very similar to drunk driving rules.
Keep in mind you cannot test positive for cannabis within 2 hours of driving.
If the police suspect you’re high they may demand a saliva sample on the spot or make you take a field sobriety test.
If the test comes back positive for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, they will try to take a sample of your blood or urine to confirm the amount of THC in your system.
The chart below lays out fines and jail time depending on how much THC is in your blood.
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/sidl-rlcfa/index.html
What is the Best Place for Marijuana Tourism in Canada?
With 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada you have a lot of choice where to visit on your marijuana journey.
However, because each province has its own rules on consumption, some provinces may make for a more enjoyable weekend than others.
3 Best Marijuana Tourism Destinations
British Columbia – This province on the west coast has stunning natural beauty with the rugged Pacific coast on one side and the Rocky Mountains on the other. The province is known worldwide as an adventure tourism destination that sports amazing skiing, hiking, climbing, biking, and water sports. A bonus is that it has loose cannabis laws that allow smoking and consumption anywhere tobacco is permitted.
Alberta – With the beautiful Rocky Mountains in the backyard, this province also offers a wide range of incredible outdoor activities. It has some of the loosest consumption rules so you can enjoy a joint out in public, on a hike, and even in your boat or car as long as you aren’t driving them afterwards.
Ontario – Canada’s most populated province comes in at number three with stricter laws on public consumption, but it has some of the best activities and amenities Canada has to offer. The capital city, Toronto, is the New York City of Canada, which means award-winning food, nightlife, sporting events, multiculturalism, and outdoor activities.
Canada is already one of the most beautiful and underrated tourist destinations in the world and is well worth the visit — particularly if you’re into a nature vacation.
When Canada legalizes cannabis on October 17, 2018, tourists will have yet another reason to visit this country of 37 million people.
With the knowledge contained in this guide you can be confident you’ll experience Canada’s revolutionary cannabis market legally and safely.
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