Last Updated: September 18, 2018
Recreational use of marijuana will be legal in Canada beginning October 17. Recognizing this change, the various provinces have laid down laws on how and where marijuana will be permitted – ranging from growing to purchasing and use.
Quebec
Legal age to consume marijuana: 18
Growing your own supply: Not allowed
Purchase locations: Government-operated stores and also online
Legal areas to smoke: Where it is legal to smoke tobacco. However, marijuana cannot be smoked on university campuses.
Ontario
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: A maximum of four plants
Purchase locations: Online and later, private shops (by April 2019)
Legal areas to smoke: In private residences, unless you have a medical marijuana card. Even then, smoking is not permitted in cars, workplaces or areas where children are nearby.
Nova Scotia
This province is closely following the national regulations already in place. However, for anyone under the legal age caught with more than five grams of marijuana there will be serious consequences. This includes criminal charges of drug possession.
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: A maximum of four plants
Purchase locations: Online and government-operated locations
Legal areas to smoke: Smoking in public is permitted
Alberta
Recognized as one of Canada’s most conservative provinces, Alberta seems to be limiting the use of marijuana the most. While current laws will permit smoking outdoors, the capital city, Calgary, is working to ban the activity.
Legal age to consume marijuana: 18
Growing your own supply: Up to four plants will be permitted, as long as the landlord approves
Purchase locations: Private stores and online through government-operated websites
Legal areas to smoke: Outdoors, currently. It’s not legal to smoke in the car, at a sports facility, near children or any location where tobacco use is already banned.
British Columbia
As one of the larger population centres, this province is getting a lot of attention. Rules here are not quite as strict as those set for Ontario.
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: As many as four plants, but they cannot be grown in the public view
Purchase locations: Government-run locations and online, as well as privately run locations and websites
Legal areas to smoke: In areas where children are not present, on property as long as the landlord has not stipulated otherwise. It’s not legal to smoke in the car or an area where tobacco is not permitted.
Manitoba
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: Not allowed
Purchase locations: Privately run locations and also online
Legal areas to smoke: Within private residences only
New Brunswick
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: Up to four plants
Purchase locations: Government-operated stores and online
Legal areas to smoke: Private property and within private residences
Newfoundland and Labrador
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: A maximum of four plants
Purchase locations: Privately run stores and online through government-operated websites
Legal areas to smoke: Private property
Northwest Territories
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: Four plants
Purchase locations: Privately run liquor stores, government-operated websites for online purchases
Legal areas to smoke: Private property; as well as streets, roads, parks, highways and trails when they’re not in use for public events
Nunavut
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: Legislation will be passed in the future
Purchase locations: online vendors; Private stores may open in the future, but none will be permitted in 2018
Legal areas to smoke: Designated lounges or events
Prince Edward Island
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: Four plants, as long as they cannot be reached by those who are underage
Purchase locations: Online and government-operated stores
Legal areas to smoke: Private residences and certain public areas
Saskatchewan
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: Four plants, as long as the landlord has given the Okay
Purchase locations: Online and through privately run stores
Legal areas to smoke: Private property. Marijuana use around minors is restricted.
Yukon
Legal age to consume marijuana: 19
Growing your own supply: Four plants, as long as they are out of public view
Purchase locations: Government-operated stores and online
Legal areas to smoke: Private property, as long as the landlord approves
About Author
The opinions provided in this article are those of the author and do not constitute investment advice. Readers should assume that the author and/or employees of Grizzle hold positions in the company or companies mentioned in the article. For more information, please see our Content Disclaimer.