Canada Marijuana Laws 2020

Last year we saw marijuana become legal all over Canada. Adults can now buy weed and other marijuana products from stores or online. However, there are still certain rules and it’s important to keep up with Canada marijuana laws in 2020.

Some cannabis laws may change over time, and some can vary depending on which province you’re from. For the most part, anyone 19 or over can buy, grow, and smoke cannabis, but some provinces have different rules on growing, legal age, and where exactly you can smoke.

As liberal as the new laws are, breaking any of the legal restrictions can still land you a fine and, in serious cases, jail time. That’s why it’s important to know what not to do when it comes to marijuana in Canada.

Fortunately, most people won’t run into any problems. Legalities mainly revolve around selling, driving, and public smoking. With that said, here’s a guide to Canada marijuana laws 2019 with everything you need to know.

Marijuana Legal Age in Canada

The Canadian government still sets certain restrictions on how old you need to be to buy and use cannabis. In order to buy marijuana, you’ll need to provide valid proof of age such as a driver’s license. This also applies to buying marijuana online.

While the Canadian government set a recommended age of 18, each province sets its own legal age. You can still buy marijuana at 18 years of age or older in Alberta and Quebec. However, in every other province, you must be 19 years or older in order to purchase or use cannabis.

These rules also have further implications. You can’t grow your own marijuana if you’re below the legal age. It’s also illegal to give marijuana to minors, even if you provide it for free. Breaking these restrictions can have serious legal consequences.

However, you can buy all kinds of marijuana products if you’re of legal age and also share it for free with other legally-aged friends. Make sure that you have a form of identification on your person if you plan to buy it.

Marijuana Possession Laws in Canada

You can buy many kinds of marijuana products in Canada. However, there are still legal restrictions on how much you can carry. These laws apply to how much you can have on your person in public.

The Canadian Government sets a possession limit of 30 grams of dried cannabis (flower products). However, there are different limits depending on the kind of cannabis product you use. Here are the full possession limits:

• 30 grams of dried cannabis
• 150 grams of fresh cannabis
• 450 grams of edibles
• 2100 grams (4.62 pounds) of liquid products
• 7.5 grams of concentrates (solid or liquid)
• 30 cannabis plant seeds

The same possession limits apply to all provinces and territories. You won’t be charged for carrying cannabis if you’re under the possession limits, however, you should keep them out of reach while driving and not use them in public places where smoking is prohibited.

There are different rules on possession for certified medical marijuana patients. According to Health Canada, medical marijuana patients can carry an extra 150 grams of dried cannabis. This allows them to get as much as they need to medicate themselves with for a good amount of time.

You can also keep as much marijuana as you want at home. This is why many people choose to stock up by buying marijuana online as opposed to at stores. It’s important to keep marijuana out of reach of children and keep excess marijuana in a safe, secure space.

Public Smoking Laws in Canada

Although legalization makes marijuana widely available to consumers, there are still many restrictions on where you can smoke. In many places, you can face a fine for using marijuana in public. However, there are differences between provinces.

You’re able to smoke marijuana in private properties or residences anywhere in Canada. However, if the property is rented, you may face restrictions on smoking or growing marijuana by landlords.

All provinces also have strict rules against smoking in a car, smoking near children, and smoking anywhere where tobacco is prohibited. It’s important to avoid smoking in any of these places.

Some provinces do allow the use of marijuana in certain public spaces. For instance, Quebec allows you to smoke marijuana in public spaces where tobacco smoking is allowed (excluding educational campuses) and in the Northwest Territories you can smoke on trails and roads providing there aren’t too many people around.

Most provinces still have rules against smoking in public and it’s best to use marijuana in private spaces. Some provinces plan to open public marijuana lounges and cafes in the future. It’s best to check your local public smoking laws to see where marijuana is allowed.

Growing Laws in Canada

Providing you’re of legal age to use cannabis, you can also grow your own marijuana in Canada. But there are still strict rules to adhere to when you choose to grow, and these can vary between provinces and territories.

As of 2019, you can grow your own marijuana anywhere in Canada except for Quebec, Manitoba, and certain parts of Nunavut. While Nunavut lifted their ban on growing cannabis, whether or not you can grow can vary between territories based on local laws.

For every other province, you can grow up to four active cannabis plants at a time, but no more. You’re able to grow either indoors or outdoors. Growing indoors is generally better during colder seasons and also gives you more control over the grow. However, growing outdoors is easier and a good choice when the weather is warmer.

Whether you choose to grow indoors or outdoors, you should keep your plants out of public view and out of reach of children. This may require a locked room or grow box if you plan to grow indoors. Outdoor growers should use locked enclosures. You can harvest and keep as much marijuana as you want from your plants.

Marijuana Offenses in Canada

There are a few other marijuana laws in Canada you need to take heed of. These generally revolve around who can sell cannabis, who you can provide cannabis to and where you can take it.

Possession over the limit can result in tickets for small amounts or up to 5 years in jail. While you can keep higher amounts of marijuana at home, you should not exceed possession limits when carrying cannabis in public.

The illegal distribution or sale of marijuana can result in up to 14 years of jail time. Selling to friends and acquaintances is illegal. Stores must obtain a license from the provincial government in order to legally sell cannabis.

Providing cannabis to minors is a serious offense. You must not give anyone under the legal age any marijuana, even if it’s free. You can also not involve children in marijuana-related crimes. Offenses involving youth will result in jail time up to 14 years.

You must also not exceed cultivation limits (four live plants per home) or use combustible solvents to grow marijuana. This can also result in up to 14 years of jail time.

Finally, you must not take marijuana across Canada’s borders. This is also punishable by up to 14 years in jail. While you can take marijuana between Canadian provinces, you should be aware of provincial laws.

Where to Buy Marijuana in Canada

All provinces will have marijuana stores as well as online sales available for citizens. Providing you meet the legal age to buy marijuana in your province and have ID, you can go to these stores to buy weed and cannabis products.

Stores will be regulated by provincial governments. Some provinces will open up government-run stores. Others also enable privately-run businesses to acquire a license to sell marijuana. Some also sell marijuana via liquor stores.

Many provinces are still in the process of making more marijuana stores available. While cities like Calgary are full of marijuana stores, some towns and cities will currently have none. Most provinces are still in the process of opening more stores. However, those who don’t have a marijuana store local to them can still buy online.

Anyone aged 19 years or above can buy marijuana online in Canada. This makes things much more convenient for consumers. You can order the products you want for delivery directly to your address. You can get marijuana delivered in all provinces of Canada. Orders are sent in discreet packaging to protect consumers.

You’ll still have to provide proof of age when you order online. However, it provides a convenient and safe way to get all kinds of marijuana products at great prices. This is often preferable to government sales.

Canada Marijuana Laws 2019 by Province

Canada’s marijuana laws differ slightly in each province and territory. While they all share the same possession limits and most of the same marijuana crimes, there are differences in where you can smoke, who can buy marijuana, and whether you can grow.

Here’s a breakdown of Canada marijuana laws province-by-province to help consumers out:

Alberta Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 18

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants

Where to Smoke: In Alberta, you can smoke in private properties/residences or public places where tobacco smoking is permitted. You must not smoke in a vehicle. Landlords are able to restrict smoking on their properties.

British Columbia Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants

Where to Smoke: BC allows residents to smoke in private properties/residences (subject to landlord restrictions) and public areas where tobacco is permitted. You must never smoke around children or in a vehicle.

Manitoba Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Illegal

Where to Smoke: You can smoke in private properties/residences (subject to landlord restrictions). However, you can not grow your own marijuana.

New Brunswick Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants (outdoor plants must be kept in a locked enclosure)

Where to Smoke: You can smoke in private properties/residences. Landlords can restrict smoking or growing on their properties.

Newfoundland and Labrador Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants

Where to Smoke: Smoking is limited to private properties/residences subject to landlord restrictions.

Northwest Territories Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants

Where to Smoke: You can smoke in private properties/residences subject to landlord restrictions. You can also smoke in certain public places, such as trails, roads, and parks. However, there must be no children present and no events taking place.

Nova Scotia Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants

Where to Smoke: In Nova Scotia, you can smoke in private properties/residences (subject to landlord restrictions) and public places where tobacco is permitted.

Nunavut Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Depends on territory

Where to Smoke: You can smoke in private properties/residences (subject to landlords restrictions). Nunavut will also allow public smoking licenses for cannabis lounges and events.

Ontario Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants

Where to Smoke: Currently, you can only smoke in private properties/residences (subject to landlord restrictions) in Ontario.

Prince Edward Island Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants

Where to Smoke: You can smoke in private properties/residents subject to landlord restrictions. PEI will also allow certain designated public areas for smoking.

Quebec

Legal Age: 18

Growing Laws: Illegal

Where to Smoke: You can smoke in private properties/residents (subject to landlord restrictions). Marijuana use is also allowed anywhere where tobacco is permitted with the exception of university campuses in Quebec.

Saskatchewan Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants

Where to Smoke: Currently, you can only smoke in private properties/residents. Landlord restrictions apply.

Yukon Marijuana Laws

Legal Age: 19

Growing Laws: Up to four active plants

Where to Smoke: Yukon residents can smoke in private properties/residents, although landlords can set restrictions on their properties.

Conclusion

In 2020, marijuana is more legal and available than ever across Canada. Anyone 19 or over will be able to purchase and use weed. While most provinces currently restrict smoking to private places, it’s likely more cannabis lounges and cafes will be legal in the future. Those who don’t have local stores to buy from can easily buy weed online at their leisure.