| Province | Minimum age for use | Allows growing at home for personal use only | Home storage limit | Plants per household | Allows use in public | Sold by private retailers (under provincial government oversight) | Sold by public retailers (under provincial government oversight) | Sold by government run retail locations | Physical stores | Online sales | Transporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 18 | Yes | None | Four | Only where tobacco may be smoked. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Currently 65 (Jan 25, 2019)[1] | Government-operated | Must be secured in closed packaging and not within reach of the driver or occupants. |
| British Columbia | 19 | Yes | 1,000 grams | Four | There is a ban on smoking or vaping cannabis in playgrounds, schools, and other public areas used by kids. Can be mostly used where tobacco is smoked. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Currently 1 (2019)[2] | Government-operated | Must be in a sealed package, or inaccessible to any passengers. Allowed to drive with no more than four cannabis plants that are not flowering. |
| Manitoba | 19 | Yes but only with a medical license | None | Not permitted | No | Yes | No | No | Currently 22 (2019)[3] | Privately-operated | Must be stored in a secure compartment, such as a trunk. |
| New Brunswick | 19 | Yes | None | Four | No | No | No | Yes | Currently 20 | Government-operated | No restriction |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 19 | Yes | None | Four | No | Yes | Yes | No | Currently 24 (2019)[4] | Government-operated | Must be in a sealed package or not readily available to anyone in the vehicle, unless the vehicle is being used as a dwelling. Passengers on taxis and buses are allowed to carry cannabis. |
| Northwest Territories | 19 | Yes | Four | Yes, on trails, highways, streets, roads and in parks when they are not in use for public events. | Yes | Yes | Currently five | Government-operated | Must be unopened or be stored in a place that is out of reach for any passengers. | ||
| Nova Scotia | 19 | Yes | None | Four | Yes, anywhere tobacco can be smoked | No | No | Yes | Currently 13 | Government-operated | Must be in a closed package or packaging that is fastened closed and out of reach from anyone in the vehicle |
| Nunavut | 19 | Yes | 150 grams | Four | Can be mostly used where tobacco is smoked, with the exception of vehicles, school grounds, hospital or health centre grounds, and playgrounds. | TBD | TBD | No | No | Government-operated | Must not be within reach of anyone in a vehicle. |
| Ontario | 19 | Yes | None | Four | Yes, only where tobacco is smoked, with the exception of vehicles. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Until 2019, six cannabis stores have been approved to open and operated.[5] 40 Cannabis stores will be opened in July and 150 stores will be introduced by 2020. [6] | Government-operated | Must be sealed or not readily available to anyone in the vehicle. |
| Prince Edward Island | 19 | Yes | None | Four | No | No | No | Yes | Currently four | Government-operated | Required to be secure and inaccessible to anyone in the vehicle if opened. |
| Quebec | 18 | No | 150 grams | Not permitted | Yes, anywhere tobacco can be smoked. | No | Yes | Yes | Currently 13 (Mar 8, 2019) [7] | Government-operated | No restriction |
| Saskatchewan | 19 | Yes | None | Four | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Privately-operated | Allowed in a vehicle, provided it is not being ingested, it was bought legally and is being transported to a place where it will be legally ingested. |
| Yukon | 19 | Yes | None | Four | No | No | No | Yes | Currently one | Government-operated | Must be in a closed container and inaccessible to all passengers. |
Alberta[edit] edit
Main article: Cannabis in Alberta
Bill 26 was introduced in November, 2017 and will make cannabis consumption legal for persons 18 years of age and older. The bill received royal assent on December 15, 2017. Under the bill, private retailers may sell cannabis to the public, but online sales are reserved to the provincial government. As early as mid 2017, 45,000 citizens had provided input to Calgary city government for regulations on retail establishments and 60 stakeholders wanted to be part of post-draft regulation process.
The minimum age to use cannabis is 18 (the federal minimum) which Alberta shares with Quebec, with all other provinces setting the age at 19. Alberta also planned to allow public smoking of cannabis, to fall under the same restrictions as public smoking of tobacco.
The recreational use of marijuana was legalized Canada-wide on 17 October 2018. As expected, the minimum age in Alberta is 18 and sales are made at private enterprise stores licensed by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis or from the government's web site. Retail stores licensed to sell cannabis must not also sell alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals. The product available includes dried flower, milled flower, plant seeds, oil, capsules and pre-rolls. Edibles will not be legal until late 2019 at the earliest. The rules as to where cannabis can be consumed vary from city to city, but typically, Albertans can do so in their homes and in some public spaces where cigarette smoking is allowed, but cannabis use is banned in cars. Specific laws about driving under the influence of cannabis are in place.
As of 25 January 2019, there were 65 (government-operated) retail stores in operation.
Manitoba[edit] edit
Main article: Cannabis in Manitoba
In December 2017, Manitoba introduced the Safe and Responsible Retailing of Cannabis Act, detailing their plans for cannabis use and sales. The age for use would be set at 19, and communities would be allowed to opt-out of cannabis sales by plebiscite. Home-growing of cannabis would be prohibited. Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries would source all cannabis to retailers, where it will be sold in private-sector stores.
By the time recreational marijuana was legal in Canada, Manitoba had firmed up its rules. The minimum age is 19, cannabis must not be smoked or vaped in public, home growing is not legal and individuals may carry up to 30 grams of cannabis while in public. Purchases can be made on-line or at the provincially licensed retail stores operated by private enterprise companies.
As of 10 January 2019, there were 22 (private enterprise) retail stores in operation.
Quebec[edit] edit
Main article: Cannabis in Quebec
During the planning stages, the Société québécoise du cannabis was to be the only legal entity to transport or sell cannabis at the retail level. In contrast to the common age minimum of 19 in most provinces, in Quebec the age limit would be 21. Also home-growing would not be permitted.
Under the newly elected Coalition Avenir Québec government, the Deputy Minister for Health in October 2018, Lionel Carmant announced that the Government will tighten the rules on cannabis consumption, including increasing the legal age to consume to 21 from 18.
Twelve Société québécoise du cannabis stores opened on 17 October, and another three were expected to open within weeks. A full 150 different products are sold, in dried, fresh or oil format, but not edibles, as well asaccessories such as vaporizers. On-line sales from the SCDQ web site also commenced on 17 October. Adults may possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, the maximum allowed per purchase, but a full 150 grams may be kept in a household, regardless of the number of adult residents. While allowed under federal law, Quebec prohibits the growing of marijuana plants even for personal use. Under Quebec's law, it is prohibited to cultivate cannabis for personal use.
The consumption of cannabis is heavily restricted; it cannot be used wherever tobacco smoking is prohibited, as well as in a long list of other locations. Some municipalities have restricted smoking in some or all public spaces, but this does not include Montreal. Impairment under the influence of drugs is illegal as it is for drunk driving.
As of 8 March 2019, there were 13 (government-run) retail stores in operation, but due to a shortage of product, were open only Thursday to Sunday.
First Nations Reserves edit
Main article: Cannabis on Canadian Indian reserves
Six Nations has started to work on its own marijuana regulation instead of waiting for legislation proposed by outside government. First Nations sees the potential economic benefits from marijuana legalization and it is seeking for practical strategies to explore and develop through potential revenues. [8]
The province of Manitoba has prioritized the economic opportunity for First Nation's marijuana business. First Nations manages four marijuana stores in Manitoba.[9]
Sinclair and the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) holds 10% stake at National Actions Cannabis (NAC).[10] In July, 2018, NAC has obtained license by the Government of Manitoba to operate 10 physical marijuana stores in Manitoba and it also runs as a virtual online platform. Being the part-owners of the first marijuana store in Indian reserves, NAC and OCN both contend that they have been benefited from their investment in NAC than other business venues and they are planning to create more marijuana stores in the future.
While various First Nations communities have differing approaches to the prospect of a legal cannabis economy, First Nations leaders have called for more local control of the cannabis economy on their reserves.
 | This user is a student editor in University_of_Ottawa/Government_information_policy_and_practice_(Winter_2019). |
- ^ Kaufmann, Bill (2019-01-25). "Alberta counts more than a third of Canada's cannabis shops | Calgary Herald". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (2019). "BC Cannabis Stores". BC Liquor Distribution Branch. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Liquor, Gaming and Cannais Authority on Manitoba (2019). "Buying Cannabis in Manitoba". LGCA. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Cannabis NL (2019). "Find a Store". shopcannabisnl.com. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (2019). "Cannabis Retail Stores in Ontario". AGCO. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ CTV News (June 19, 2018). "Pot policies: everything you need to know about marijuana legalization". CTV News. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Laframboise, Kalina (Mar 8, 2019). "Quebec cannabis stores to open in Montreal, Brossard and other areas". Global News. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Teviah, Moro (Aug 31, 2018). "The most populous First Nation in Canada is drafting its own cannabis law". The Star. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (2019). "Buying Cannabis in Manitoba". Retrieved April 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Subramaniam, Vanmala. "First licensed cannabis store on First Nation land shows investment paying off, chief says". Financial Post. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
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