Canada becomes second country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana.
On October 17, 2018, Canada became only the second nation, after Uruguay, to legalize recreational cannabis. Canadians lined up by the hundreds at marijuana dispensaries across the nation. At midnight, in the easternmost province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Ian Power became the first Canadian to legally purchase recreational weed.
“It’s been my dream to be the first person to buy the first legal gram of cannabis in Canada, and here I finally am,” he said.
The laws vary by province
Similar to the varying marijuana laws between US states, Canada’s provinces each have different laws and regulations governing marijuana use. However, unlike the US, recreational marijuana has been legalized across the entire country of Canada by the Federal Government.
All provinces have set the public possession limit at 30 grams. In most provinces, the legal possession and consumption age is 19, but in Quebec and Alberta the legal age is 18. Some provinces will only allow marijuana sales at government-operated dispensaries, while others will allow sales at private licensed stores.
Where you can buy it in Canada
So far, most provinces have limited sales of “non-medical” cannabis to the government-operated retail outlets and online stores. A few provinces will create a licensing system for private marijuana dispensaries to operate. Currently in Ontario, recreational marijuana must be purchased from the government-owned dispensary, but the province plans to roll out a licensing system for private stores to operate within the coming year.
Where you can smoke it in Canada
Again, the laws regarding where marijuana can be smoked in Canada also vary by province. Some of the Canadian provinces’ laws are less restrictive than the existing laws in US states such as Colorado and California when it comes to where it can be smoked. Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia will allow weed smoking and vaping wherever tobacco smoking is currently allowed (with a few minor exceptions). Other provinces, such as Manitoba, will not allow public consumption at all, similar to the laws US states that have legalized recreational weed.
