Recreational cannabis in Canada will be governed by a patchwork of provincial policies after federal legislation takes effect on Oct. 17.
Here’s a brief rundown of some of the rules:
Age of legal consumption: 19+
Sales: Government-run online-only through the Ontario Cannabis Store until April 2019, then privately-run storefronts
Grow your own? Four plants per residence
Where am I banned from smoking and vaping?
- Indoor common areas in condos, apartment buildings and post-secondary school residences
- Enclosed public places
- Non-designated hotel rooms
- Vehicles and boats
- Public sports fields (not including golf courses)
- Within 20 metres of schools, playgrounds, and places where child care is provided
- Within nine metres of hospital entrances
Anything else?
- Municipalities will have a “one time window” during which they will be able to opt-out of having cannabis stores within their boundaries
- You will be able to have a maximum of 30 grams (about one ounce) of dried cannabis in public at any time
Age of legal consumption: 18+
Sales: Privately-run storefronts and government-operated online sales
Grow your own? Four plants per residence
Where am I banned from smoking and vaping?
- When driving or when “within reach of anyone in a vehicle,” and in any motor vehicle not being used as a temporary residence, such as a parked RV
- At any cannabis retail outlet
- Hospital, school or child care facility properties
- Playgrounds, sports fields, skateboard or bicycle parks, zoos, outdoor theatres, outdoor pools or splash pads
Anything else?
- Municipalities may create additional restrictions on public consumption using their existing authorities
- Renters, condo-dwellers and those who live in multi-family dwellings may be restricted from growing cannabis in their homes based on rules established in rental agreements or condominium bylaws
Age of legal consumption: 18+
Sales: Government-run by the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), both online and brick-and-mortar
Grow your own? Nope. It’s also prohibited to possess a cannabis plant for personal use
Where am I banned from smoking and vaping?
- While driving
- On the grounds of health and social services institutions
- On the grounds of Cegeps and universities
- On bicycle paths
- In bus shelters and in shared transportation waiting areas
Anything else?
Possession is prohibited in certain places:
- Preschool education services, elementary and secondary school instructional services, educational services in vocational training or educational services to adults in general education
- On the premises or in buildings of a college-level educational institution, with the exception of student residences
- On the grounds and in the facilities of a childcare centre or day care centre
- On the grounds, premises or in buildings used for detention
Age of legal consumption: 19+
Sales: Privately-run storefronts and online sales
Grow your own? Four plants per residence
Where am I banned from smoking and vaping?
- While driving
- Consuming cannabis in public places will be prohibited for “public health considerations”
Anything else?
- Selling or distributing cannabis to a person who appears to be intoxicated will land you a $2,250 fine
Age of legal consumption: 19+
Sales: Privately-run storefronts and online sales
Grow your own? Nope
Where am I banned from smoking and vaping?
- Public places and when driving
Anything else?
- The legal age is one year above drinking age
Age of legal consumption: 19+
Sales: Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation-operated storefronts and online sales
Grow your own? Four plants per residence
Where am I banned from smoking and vaping?
- While driving
- Where prohibited by the Smoke-free Places Act
Anything else?
- Nova Scotia has the highest rate of recreational consumers in the country, according to Statistics Canada
Age of legal consumption: 19+
Sales: Privately-run licensed storefronts and government-operated online sales
Grow your own? Four plants per residence
Where am I banned from smoking and vaping?
- Anywhere but private property and in private residences
Anything else?
- Canopy Growth (WEED.TO) and Loblaw Companies Ltd. (L.TO) are confirmed to be applying for retail licenses
Age of legal consumption: 19+
Sales: Prince Edward Island Liquor Control Commission-operated storefronts locations and online sales
Grow your own? Four plants per residence
Where am I banned from smoking and vaping?
- Rented or shared spaces where smoking is prohibited, such as rental units, community care facilities and long-term care facilities
Anything else?
- The PEI Cannabis website features a clock ticking down to the second marijuana is legal
Age of legal consumption: 19+
Sales: Government-run online and storefronts through Cannabis NB, a subsidiary of the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation
Grow your own? Four plants per residence
Where am I banned from smoking and vaping?
- Public spaces
- In a vehicle, moving or not
Anything else?
- There will be no decorations or advertising, such as window displays, visible outside the stores
- When grown outdoors, plants must be behind a locked enclosure that is 1.52 metres
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