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

 

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