Canadian cannabis rules are a mix of federal law + provincial/territorial rules + municipal bylaws + private property/strata policies. Use this as your plain-language field guide; always check local signage and house rules.

Last updated: 2025

Quick Federal Cannabis Use Rules Across Canada 2025

• Legal possession in public: up to 30 g dried (or equivalent).
• Home grow (non-medical): up to 4 plants per dwelling (unless your province/territory bans or limits it; see table below).
• Where you can consume on federal land: depends on the site (e.g., Parks Canada allows cannabis at your registered campsite, not in common areas; more in Sources).
• Flights & borders: You can travel only domestically with up to 30 g in checked or carry-on (airline rules still apply). Never cross the international border with cannabis—in or out of Canada.
• Driving: Impaired driving laws are strict; no consuming in a vehicle, stopped or moving.
• Medical cannabis: Separate federal regime; workplace/property rules can still restrict smoking/vaping indoors even for medical use.

Can I Smoke or Vape Cannabis Here? (fast decision map)

Are you on private property (your home/yard, with owner/strata permission)?
├─ Yes → Usually OK to smoke/vape (unless lease/strata bans it).
└─ No → In public space:
├─ Province/territory allows public use (tobacco-like rules)? → Use only where tobacco smoking is allowed; obey buffers (schools, patios, bus stops, parks, beaches vary).
├─ Province/territory allows LIMITED outdoor public use? → Only in specified places (e.g., selected trails/parks/campsites).
└─ Province/territory bans public use? → Use is private-only (home/yard/campsite where allowed).

Tip: Vaping rules usually mirror smoking rules under provincial smoke-free laws (see vaping section).

Cannabis Laws By Province & Territory In Canada 2025 – Where to Buy, Smoke or Vape, Home Grow, Minimum Age

Legend – Public use:
Allowed (tobacco-like): generally where tobacco smoking is allowed, with extra buffers.
Limited: only in certain outdoor places (e.g., some trails/parks/campsites).
Private only: no public consumption; only at home/yard (and sometimes occupied campsite).
Retail model: how legal stores/online sales are run.

Province/Territory	Minimum Age	Public Smoking/Vaping	Retail Model (buying)	Home Grow (non-medical)	Notes
Federal (baseline)	—	Site-specific on federal lands	—	Up to 4 plants/dwelling	30 g public possession limit
BC	19	Allowed (tobacco-like) with many local restrictions (parks, beaches, bus stops, 6 m buffers, etc.)	Mix of BC Cannabis Stores + private stores; online via BC Cannabis Stores	Yes (4); not visible from public	Municipal bylaws can be stricter
AB	18	Generally restricted in public; many cities ban it outside private property; designated areas vary	Private retail (in-store & online via licensed retailers)	Yes (4)	Check city rules (Calgary/Edmonton/parks differ)
SK	19	Private only (no public consumption)	Private retail; online via licensed retailers	Yes (4)	Strong no-public-use rule province-wide
MB	19	Private only for smoking/vaping (public ban)	Private retail; online via licensed retailers	Yes (4, indoor-only) — changed May 1, 2025	Home grow newly allowed; see note
ON	19	Allowed (tobacco-like) in many outdoor public places; not in enclosed places, hospital grounds, school grounds, bar/restaurant patios, condo common areas, etc.	OCS.ca online + private stores	Yes (4)	Local bylaws/property rules can add bans
QC	21	Private only / very limited (public use largely prohibited)	SQDC (government monopoly, in-store & online)	No (0)	Home grow ban upheld by courts
NB	19	Private only (home/yard/occupied campsite)	Cannabis NB (gov’t) stores & online	Yes (4)	Clear “no public use” province-wide
NS	19	Allowed (tobacco-like) under Smoke-free Places Act	NSLC cannabis stores & online	Yes (4)	Many outdoor areas are smoke-free; watch signage
PE	19	Private only (no public consumption)	PEI Cannabis (gov’t) stores & online	Yes (4)	Private dwelling/adjoining property
NL	19	Primarily private (home/yard); some outdoor areas may be permitted only where the Smoke-Free Environment Act allows smoking	Private retailers regulated by NLC; NLC online	Yes (4)	Expect widespread smoke-free property policies
YT	19	Private only (home & adjoining property)	Private retailers; online permitted via territorial framework	Yes (4)	Territory highlights “use at your private residence, not in public”
NWT	19	Limited (e.g., some trails/roadways when not in a vehicle; parks when not in use; designated campsites)	NWT Liquor & Cannabis Commission locations; online	Yes (4)	Municipalities may add more restrictions
NU	19	Restricted (follows territorial Smoke-Free rules; many public places are no-smoking)	Via Nunavut Liquor & Cannabis Commission agents/online	Yes (4) (subject to housing rules)	Local hamlet/bylaws and housing policies matter

Cannabis Rules For Visitors to Canada

• BUYING: Only from licensed retailers (brick-and-mortar or official online portals). Carry valid photo ID (passport/driver’s licence) if you look under the minimum age.
• HOTELS/AIRBNBS: It’s common for hotels, rentals and condos to ban smoking/vaping (tobacco & cannabis). Some jurisdictions allow designated smoking rooms—ask first. Edibles are often permitted where smoking/vaping isn’t, but check house rules.
• ROAD TRIPS & FLIGHTS: You can fly within Canada with up to 30 g; do not fly internationally with any cannabis or cannabis-infused products (including CBD). Keep cannabis in closed packaging and out of reach in vehicles.
• PARKS & BEACHES: National parks typically allow cannabis only at your registered campsite (not in common areas). Provincial/municipal parks often have no-smoking zones (playgrounds, pools, trails, shelters, etc.).
• CROSS-PROVINCE TRAVEL: Legal to carry up to 30 g across provincial/territorial borders within Canada; consumption rules change once you arrive—follow local rules.
• INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES: Some First Nations and Inuit communities set additional rules on possession, sales, or public use—respect local authority.

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Vaping Weed Rules & Regulations In Canada

• In most provinces/territories, vaping = smoking for location rules: if you can’t smoke tobacco there, you can’t vape cannabis there either (and often can’t vape nicotine, either).
• Expect bans in: enclosed workplaces and public places, hospital/school grounds, restaurant/bar patios, transit areas, and buffers around doors/windows/air intakes.
• Many municipalities extend bans to parks, beaches, trails, playgrounds and outdoor event spaces. When in doubt, look for no-smoking/no-vaping signs.

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Canada Cannabis Use: Practical Do’s & Don’ts

• Do: Keep it to private property unless you’re sure public use is allowed where you are.
• Do: Bring ID to buy; purchase only from licensed retailers.
• Do: Keep cannabis sealed and out of reach in vehicles; never consume in vehicles or boats (moving or not).
• Don’t: Bring any cannabis or CBD across international borders.
• Don’t: Assume parks, beaches or patios allow it—even in “tobacco-like” provinces, buffers and local bans are common.

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Official Federal Canadian Government Sources

• Justice Canada — Cannabis legalization & regulation
• Health Canada — Laws & regulations
• Health Canada — Public possession calculator
• Travel.gc.ca — Drugs, alcohol and travel
• Parks Canada — Cannabis use

Official Province & Territory Sources

• British Columbia — What’s legal
• British Columbia — Public consumption factsheet (PDF)
• Alberta — Cannabis
• Calgary — Public consumption
• Edmonton — Cannabis rules
• Saskatchewan — Cannabis in Saskatchewan
• Saskatoon — Cannabis licensing (public-use note)
• Manitoba — Can’t use in public
• Manitoba — Grow at home
• Manitoba — Cannabis Regulation amendment MR 33/2025
• Ontario — Where you can’t smoke or vape
• Ontario — Cannabis laws
• Québec — Cannabis Regulation Act
• Supreme Court of Canada — Murray-Hall v. Québec (home-grow ban)
• Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC)
• New Brunswick — Consumer factsheet (PDF)
• New Brunswick — Enforcement FAQ (PDF)
• Nova Scotia — Cannabis laws
• Nova Scotia — Smoke-free Places Act
• Halifax — Designated Smoking Areas
• Prince Edward Island — Using cannabis on PEI
• PEI Cannabis (retail)
• Newfoundland & Labrador — Government cannabis portal
• Cannabis NL — FAQ
• Yukon — Cannabis legalization overview
• Yukon — “10 things to know” (PDF)
• Northwest Territories — Cannabis portal
• NWT — Where smoking will be allowed (FAQ)
• Nunavut — Iqaluit Cannabis Q&A (PDF)
• Nunavut — Tobacco & the Law (housing rules)