Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions Canadians ask most. For detail, follow the links into our guides.
Laws & legality
Is cannabis legal in Canada?
Yes. Cannabis has been legal for adults nationwide since the Cannabis Act took effect in October 2018. Each province adds its own rules on top.
What is the legal age?
18 in Alberta, 21 in Quebec, and 19 in every other province and territory.
How much can I possess in public?
Up to 30 grams of legal dried cannabis, or its equivalent in other forms.
Can I grow cannabis at home?
Federally, up to 4 plants per residence, but Quebec and Manitoba prohibit home growing.
Can I travel across the Canada, US border with cannabis?
No. Taking cannabis across any international border is illegal, even between two places where it is legal.
Buying cannabis
Where can I legally buy cannabis?
Only from retailers your province authorizes, government stores, licensed private shops, or both, plus their official online stores.
How do I spot a legal online store?
It is tied to your province’s system, verifies your age, ships only within Canada, and shows lab-test data. See our guide to buying online safely.
Why buy legal instead of the legacy market?
Legal product is lab-tested for potency and screened for pesticides, mould, and heavy metals. The legacy market guarantees none of that.
Using cannabis
How much should a beginner take?
Start low. For edibles, 2.5 mg of THC or less; for inhaled cannabis, a single small inhale, then wait.
Why do edibles feel so strong?
Your liver converts THC into a more potent, longer-lasting form. Effects are delayed (up to 2 hours) and stronger, so people often take too much, too soon.
Can you overdose on cannabis?
Not fatally, but taking too much can be very unpleasant. Find a calm space, hydrate, and wait it out.
Can I drive after using cannabis?
No. Impaired driving is a criminal offence in Canada with serious penalties. Plan another way home.
Rules differ where you live
Age, retail, and public-use rules are set by each province and territory.