October 17, 2018, was one for the books as Canada officially lifts the century-old prohibition on marijuana for medical and recreational use – the first Western nation to do so.
“We’re not legalizing cannabis because we think it’s good for our health. We’re doing it because we know it’s not good for our children,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, as quoted by the Associated Press.
With legalization, provinces and territories are responsible for determining how cannabis will be distributed and sold within their jurisdictions. Each has set rules around how cannabis will be sold, where stores selling cannabis may be located, and how such stores must be operated.
According to the Federal government, each province or territory will also have the flexibility to set restrictions including the following:
- lowering possession limits
- increasing the minimum age
- restricting where cannabis may be used in public
- setting added requirements on personal cultivation
Check out below the brief outline on how provinces and territories will enforce the Cannabis Act:
ALBERTA:
Legal age: 18
Where legal to buy: Private licensed stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Alberta’s rules and regulations here.
BRITISH COLUMBIA:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Government-operated stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read British Columbia’s rules and regulations here.
MANITOBA:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Private licensed stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Manitoba’s rules and regulations here.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Government-operated stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read New Brunswick’s rules and regulations here.
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Private licensed stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Newfoundland and Labrador’s rules and regulations here.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Government-operated stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Northwest Territories’ rules and regulations here.
NOVA SCOTIA:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Government-operated stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Nova Scotia’s rules and regulations here.
NUNAVUT:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Government-operated online store or by phone
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Nunavut’s rules and regulations here.
ONTARIO:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Government-operated online store
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Ontario’s rules and regulations here.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Government-operated stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Prince Edward Island’s rules and regulations here.
QUEBEC:
Legal age: 18
Where legal to buy: Government-operated stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Quebec’s rules and regulations here.
SASKATCHEWAN:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Private licensed stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Saskatchewan’s rules and regulations here.
YUKON:
Legal age: 19
Where legal to buy: Government-operated stores or online
Public possession limit: 30 grams
Read Yukon’s rules and regulations here.
