
The Cannabis ‘Cheat Sheet’: What is legal and where
Most members will be aware that recreational cannabis will be legal across Canada as of Wednesday, October 17th. While many rules are still in development, we thought it helpful to provide you with a snapshot view for each province and territory as they currently stand. RCC will continue to engage with provincial and territorial governments across the country as they refine regulations post-legalization, and will ultimately develop a guidebook on cannabis.
Note that there is further regulation required from the federal government on edibles, which is expected in 2019. Until this time, edible marijuana products are not legalized. Once regulation on edibles is available, provinces will have the opportunity to pass their own legislation on edibles to complement federal rules. The federal government has indicated that edible products and concentrates will be authorized no later than October 2019, one year after the Cannabis Act comes into force.
Medical marijuana production, sale and use will continue to be regulated solely by the federal government; recreational legalization will not impact current laws for medical marijuana, but may impact unlicensed dispensaries, that will either be forced to shut down or required to go through a licensing process as recreational marijuana distributors.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact: Karl Littler, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs at: klittler@retailcouncil.org or 416-467-3783
Province/Territory |
Minimum age for purchase and possession |
Where to purchase |
Prohibited spaces |
Cannabis in the workplace |
For more information |
Alberta |
18+ |
Privately-run retail stores, government-operated online sales |
Wherever tobacco use is prohibited
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British Columbia |
19+ |
All supply and distribution managed by BC Liquor Distribution Branch to private and government retail stores. Government run online sales. |
Wherever tobacco use is prohibited
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Government cannabis information site BC Liquor Distribution Branch cannabis update page
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Manitoba |
19+ |
All supply and distribution managed by the provincial government. Privately run retail stores and online sales. |
Cannabis use is prohibited in public spaces, including: restaurant patios, in stadiums or outdoor entertainment venues, near wading pools, splash pads and water parks, near playgrounds, on beaches, or within bus shacks or similar public structures. |
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New Brunswick |
19+ |
Government operated retail stores, government operated online sales |
Recreational cannabis use is prohibited in public spaces. |
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New Brunswick: Legislation concerning cannabis control and drug-impaired driving |
Newfoundland |
19+ |
Privately run retail stores, government operated online sales, with prices for all cannabis set by government. |
Recreational cannabis use is prohibited in public spaces. |
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Nova Scotia |
19+ |
Government operated retail stores (inside current liquor stores) and online sales |
Wherever tobacco use is prohibited, as well as:
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Nova Scotia: Be in the know about legal cannabis in Nova Scotia |
Ontario |
19+ |
Following their defeat of the Liberals in the June election, the P.C. government introduced a new framework governing the sale and use of cannabis. The Ontario Cannabis Store website will be the only legal option for purchasing recreational cannabis as of October 17, 2018; there will be no retail stores. The government plans to introduce legislation that, if passed, would allow for private retail stores by April 2019 |
Wherever tobacco use is prohibited. All methods of consuming cannabis would be prohibited in vehicles and boats that are being driven or under a person’s care or control, subject to certain exceptions that would be prescribed by regulation – e.g. use of medical cannabis edibles by a passenger who is a medical cannabis user. |
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Prince Edward Island |
19+ |
Government run retail stores and online sales |
Recreational cannabis use is prohibited in public spaces. |
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, an employer shall ensure that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect the occupational health and safety of persons at or near the workplace |
Government of Prince Edward Island: Province announces framework for cannabis legalization |
Quebec |
18+ (CAQ has indicated their intention to raise this to 21) |
Government run retail stores and online sales |
The recently elected CAQ has announced its intention to ban cannabis use in all public spaces. |
Under the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety, every employer must take the necessary measures to protect the health and ensure the safety and physical well-being of his worker |
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Saskatchewan |
19+ |
Privately run retail stores, online sales |
Recreational cannabis use is prohibited in public spaces. |
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Government of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan’s Cannabis Framework |
Northwest Territories |
19+ |
Initially through government liquor stores (retail and mail-order) possibility of cannabis-only stores in the future |
Wherever tobacco use is prohibited, as well as in crowded places and parks frequented by children. |
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, as effective September 12, 2018, no worker shall enter or remain in a work site if they are impaired, and no employer shall permit them to do so. |
Government of NWT: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act |
Nunavut |
19+ |
Initially through government run online sales, with possibility to license government and/or private retail in the future |
Wherever tobacco use is prohibited, as well as school grounds and other areas frequented by children |
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, as effective September 12, 2018, no worker shall enter or remain in a work site if they are impaired, and no employer shall permit them to do so. |
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Yukon |
19+ |
Initially, public retail stores and online sales only, run by the Yukon Liquor Corporation. Preparing for private retail stores post-legalization. |
Recreational cannabis use is prohibited in public spaces. |
Under the Occupation Health and Safety Regulations, workers shall not enter, remain or be permitted to remain in a workplace while their ability to work may be affected by alcohol, drugs or other substances so as to endanger their health or safety or that of any other person. |
Yukon Liquor Corporation’s recreational cannabis information
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