Laws on Cannabis (Canada)

*From the Government of Canada Department of Justice website

 

The Cannabis Act creates a strict legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis across Canada. The Act aims to accomplish 3 goals:

• Keep cannabis out of the hands of youth.

• Keep profits out of the pockets of criminals.

• Protect public health and safety by allowing adults access to legal cannabis.

 

What is legal as of October 17, 2018

 

Subject to provincial or territorial restrictions, adults who are 18 years of age or older are legally able to:

• Possess up to 30 grams of legal cannabis, dried or equivalent in non-dried form in public

• Share up to 30 grams of legal cannabis with other adults

• Buy dried or fresh cannabis and cannabis oil from a provincially licensed retailer

  • In provinces and territories without a regulated retail framework, individuals are able to purchase cannabis online from federally licensed producers

• Grow, from licensed seed or seedlings, up to 4 cannabis plants per residence for personal use

• Make cannabis products, such as food and drinks, at home as long as organic solvents are not used to create concentrated products

As of October 17th, 2019, Cannabis edible products and concentrates are legal for sale.

 

Possession limits for cannabis products

 

The possession limits in the Cannabis Act are based on dried cannabis. Equivalents were developed for other cannabis products to identify what their possession limit would be.

 

One (1) gram of dried cannabis is equal to:

• 5 grams of fresh cannabis

• 15 grams of edible product

• 70 grams of liquid product

• 0.25 grams of concentrates (solid or liquid)

• 1 cannabis plant seed

 

Additional information for Buying Cannabis Online

Additional Regulations under the Cannabis Act

List of Licensed Cultivators, Processors and Sellers of Cannabis

 

Cannabis Regulatory Framework in the Provinces and Territories

 

Provinces and territories also have the flexibility to set added restrictions, including:

• Lowering possession limits

• Increasing the minimum age

• Restricting where cannabis may be used in public

• Setting added requirements on personal cultivation

Each province and territory has its own excise stamp for legal cannabis products (except for products with no THC). You are responsible for knowing what is legal in the province or territory where you live or visit, and online.

 

Health Canada has provided a site with brief outlines and links to all the provinces regulations and any provincial online stores. Please click here.