On October 17, 2018, cannabis was legalized in Canada for recreational and medical purposes. It was already legal for medicinal purposes, under conditions outlined in the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations issued by Health Canada since 2001, and for seed, grain, and fibre production under licence by Health Canada.
The legalization for recreational purposes was achieved with the passage of Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act by Parliament on 19 June 2018. Legalization was effective on October 17, 2018. Adults 18 and over can possess up to 30 grams (1.05 oz) of dried or “equivalent non-dried form” in public. Adults are also allowed to make cannabis-infused food and drinks "as long as organic solvents are not used to create concentrated products."
Summary
Although the Cannabis Act allows for legal use of cannabis, provinces and territories are allowed to enact restrictions and regulations regarding sale, distribution, and use of cannabis. For example, each province and territory set its own procedures for retail sales, and these vary as to ownership or retail outlets (by the provincial government or private enterprise) but all include an option for online sales.
While each household is allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants from "licensed seed or seedlings", Quebec chose to be excluded from this aspect of the legislation so it is not legal in the province. Manitoba permits home growing only with a medical licence.
While specific regulations vary among provinces and territories, there are some general rules regarding promotion, packaging, and advertising. Adult-use cannabis can only be sold in packages of a single color without graphics other than the logo and a health warning. Cannabis companies in Canada are not allowed to promote themselves through TV commercials, billboards, or glossy magazine ads, sponsor people or events, or put their names on sports and cultural facilities.
Crossing international borders with cannabis is illegal.
Cannabis in Canada
+ProvinceMinimum age of purchase Allows growing at home for personal use onlyHome storage limitPlants per householdAllows use in publicSold by private retailers (under provincial government oversight)Sold by public retailers (under provincial government oversight)Sold by government run retail locationsPhysical storesOnline salesTransporting18YesNoneFourOnly where tobacco may be smoked.YesYesYes306 approved by AGLC (Oct 2019)A year later: Alberta cannabis use up 25%, 500 pot stores likely by 2021 By BILL KAUFMANN Calgary Herald, October 16, 2019, PostmediaYes with provincial licenseMust be secured in closed packaging and not within reach of the driver or occupants.19Yes but cannot be visible from a public space1,000 grams (2 lb 3¼ oz)FourThere 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.YesYesYes489 approved by BC Liquor and Cannabis Licensing BranchGovernment-operatedMust be in a sealed package, or inaccessible to any passengers. Allowed to drive with no more than four cannabis plants that are not flowering.19NoNoProhibitedNoNoYesNo159 (as of December 2025)Privately-operatedPot is now legal. Where in Manitoba can I buy it? Global NewsMust be stored in a secure compartment, such as a trunk.19YesNoneFourNoNoNoYes20 (as of December 2017; i.e. medical cannabis dispensaries)Government-operatedNo restriction19YesNoneAll your questions about legal recreational cannabis in N.L. answered CBC NewsFourNoYesYesNoYesGovernment-operatedWhere can I buy pot? A coast-to-coast guide for marijuana legalization day Global NewsMust 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.19YesNoneFourYes, on trails, highways, streets, roads and in parks when they are not in use for public events. YesYesFive (as of December 2017; i.e. medical cannabis dispensaries)Government-operatedMust be unopened or be stored in a place that is out of reach for any passengers.19YesNova Scotia Cannabis Laws , Government of Nova ScotiaNoneFourYes, anywhere tobacco can be smokedNoNoYes43 (Aug 2022)'Local cannabis extremely popular' in Nova Scotia as province reports increase in sales Edmonton JournalGovernment-operatedMust be in a closed package or packaging that is fastened closed and out of reach from anyone in the vehicle19Yes150 grams (5¼ oz)Nunavut on track for Oct. 17 online cannabis orders Nunavutnews.comFourCan be mostly used where tobacco is smoked, with the exception of vehicles, school grounds, hospital or health centre grounds, and playgrounds.REGULATING CANNABIS IN NUNAVUT - A Proposal for Consideration and Discussion Government of NunavutTBDTBDNoNoGovernment-operatedMust not be within reach of anyone in a vehicle.19YesNoneFourYes, only where tobacco is smoked, with the exception of vehicles.YesYesYes324 (Dec 2020)Government-operatedMust be sealed or not readily available to anyone in the vehicle.19YesNoneFourNoNoNoYesFive (as of December 2025)Government-operatedRequired to be secure and inaccessible to anyone in the vehicle if opened.Cannabis will be allowed in your car, must be out of reach CTV News21No150 grams (5¼ oz)ProhibitedNo, formerly anywhere tobacco can be smoked.NoYesFAQ: How legal recreational cannabis will work in Quebec Montreal GazetteYes 100 (as of October 2024)Find a store near you SQDCGovernment-operatedNo restrictionThe Cannabis Regulation Act Government of Quebec19YesNoneFourNoYesYesNoYesPrivately-operatedAllowed 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.19YesNone10 things you need to know about cannabis under the new law in Yukon Yukon.caFourNoNoNoYes13 (as of December 2025)Government-operatedNon-medical cannabis Yukon Liquor CorporationMust be in a closed container and inaccessible to all passengers.
2018 poll on minimum age regulation According to one poll conducted in 2018 by the Angus Reid Institute, approximately half of respondents believed the minimum age to purchase and consume cannabis should be either 18 or 19, while the remainder of respondents believed the minimum age should be 20 or older.
Alberta
Bill 26 was introduced in November, 2017 and will make cannabis consumption legal for adults 18 years of age and older. The bill received royal assent on December 15, 2017.Bill 26: An Act to Control and Regulate Cannabis legislative history, Legislative Assembly of Alberta accessed 2017-12-18 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 shared with Quebec until 2020, 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 10 January 2019, there were 17 (private enterprise) retail stores in operation.
British Columbia
After public consultation, British Columbia released a provincial regulatory framework for the sale and use of cannabis for recreational use. The framework proposed the minimum age to possess, purchase and consume cannabis will be 19 years old, which is the same age to buy alcohol. There would be a government-run wholesale distribution model and for on-line sales, although private and publicly run retail stores would operate. Cannabis consumption would be allowed in any public area where vaping and smoking is permitted, however, if the area is frequented by children, cannabis would be banned. Drug impaired driving would continue to be illegal.
In early October 2018, BC released its final set of rules and plans, replacing the July 2018 Interim Licensing Regulation. The new release provides specifics as to the licensing of stores and marketers, background checks, and enforcement methods and penalties for non-compliance by companies which have a license. The regulations include a maximum household possession limit of 1,000 grams (2 lb. 3¼ oz.) but only 30 grams (1 oz.) in public, no smoking or vaping in indoor public places (except in designated rooms), provincial parks, near schools, in vehicles, on boats, near bus stops, and within six meters of any doorway, window or air intake. (There are fewer restrictions as to where cannabis for medical use may be consumed.) Cannabis products that are allowed to be sold include oils, such as capsules tinctures and topical products cannabis plants or cannabis seeds, cannabis products marketed for pets and soap or bath products containing cannabis. Initially, there was only one cannabis store in B.C. (Kamloops) operated by the government, but over 100 private retailers had applied for licenses. Stores require municipal consent prior to approval.
Though the first year of cannabis retail in B.C. witnessed a slow rollout, the province now has well over 100 operational stores.
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 (1 oz) of cannabis while in public. Purchases can be made on-line or at the provincially licensed retail stores operated by private enterprise companies. In October 2019, then Premier Brian Pallister announced plans to ban consumption of edibles in public in Manitoba by December.
As of 7 December 2021, there were 126 (private enterprise) retail stores in operation.
New Brunswick
In 2017 the government announced that home-run New Brunswick Liquor Corporation would take charge of opening up to 20 cannabis stores in the province.
Proposed new laws in the province included limiting adults to carrying 30 grams (1 oz) of cannabis (with no limit inside the home), and requiring that cannabis in the home be stored in a locked container or room. Smoking cannabis will be banned in public places.