Canada is gearing up for a historic day tomorrow. Recreational weed will become nationally legalized across the country—making it the second country to do so across the globe. While many are ready to celebrate, there are other curious about the country's marijuana regulations.
“There will be more laws around the cannabis plant after legalization than there were before,” said Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, a professor at the University of Toronto. “I don’t think the average Canadian is aware of that.”
Let's take a closer look at these marijuana regulations.
Marijuana Regulations: What You Need to Know
Here are some of the most important things you need to know going into cannabis legalization.
Purchase
Recreational marijuana will go on sale starting tomorrow, October 17th. The products that will be available for purchase include fresh, dried bud, oil, plants, and seeds.
Edibles and concentrates will not be available for purchase in shops just yet. Buyers within Canada must be 19 years or older, and selling drugs to minors is a criminal offense and can land the seller with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
According to the Canadian marijuana regulations, residents are only allowed to buy and possess up to 30 grams of cannabis at a time. Any more than that and you can be charged.
Flight Travel
Taking marijuana between provinces is allowed, and packing pot on a domestic flight is also prohibited. Taking Canadian-bought marijuana anywhere else, including the United States, is prohibited. Anyone caught trying to bring marijuana into the US can be denied entry for life.
Driving and Car Transportation
Traveling with marijuana is not yet fully transparent yet. The marijuana regulations for transport in vehicles seems to vary from province to province. In Manitoba, marijuana must be kept in the car's trunk, and on Prince Edward Island, it can be kept in open packaging but out of reach of the driver or passengers. However, in Nunavut, carrying cannabis in any vehicle is against the law.
Due to the unclear regulations still floating around, ask your local shop what the regulations are in your area.
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The biggest worry for most Canadians has to do with pot-impaired driving. Canada recently beefed up the law against impaired driving in preparation for cannabis legalization. Officers are now allowed to conduct roadside intoxication tests, including oral fluid drug tests.
This Canadian marijuana regulation states it is illegal to drive within two hours of being over the legal limit of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Having between two and five nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood carries a criminal conviction and maximum fine of $1,000. If caught with over five nanograms, a person could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Use
Unlike many of the US states, marijuana users in Canada are allowed to light up and vape anywhere that cigarette smoking is allowed. This includes homes and most outdoor public spaces. Marijuana use is prohibited in workplaces, restaurants, bars, patios, near playgrounds, and at public sports facilities.
If cannabis products are consumed in these places, individuals can be hit with fines of $1,000–$5,000.
More Info
National and Provincial laws are most likely to change within the next coming months as recreational cannabis is distributed. You can check for more marijuana regulations here. Regulations are listed by each province and are currently up to date.
Enjoy responsibly, everyone!
Featured Image: Depositphotos/© Wavebreakmedia
