Non-medical cannabis is now legal in Canada. Here, you’ll find information on the laws and regulations that will help keep the people and communities of British Columbia safe.
As of October 17, 2019, federal cannabis regulations allow commercial production and sale of three new classes of cannabis products:
Edible Cannabis Quick Tips
Duration
Safe Consumption
Use legal, regulated cannabis
It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to begin to feel the effects of edible cannabis and up to four hours to feel the full effects. The intoxicating effects can last up to 12 hours, with some residual effects lasting up to 24 hours. The psychoactive effect of edible cannabis has a relatively slow onset which may increase the risk of overconsumption.
How soon and how long a person experiences the effects of edible cannabis depends on individual factors including weight, metabolism, sex, and whether the cannabis is eaten on an empty stomach. Pay attention to how long it takes to feel the onset and full effect, as well as how long the effect lasts.
If you choose to consume cannabis, how much you consume and how quickly you consume can influence whether or not you experience adverse effects. Many people are aware of the immediate psychoactive effect associated with smoking cannabis but may not be aware of the delayed onset and the extended duration of the effects associated with edible cannabis.
Using low dose products containing no more than 2.5mg THC may assist you in determining your individual response to and comfort level with the effects of edible cannabis. This careful small-dose approach will help you avoid overconsumption that can result in unpleasant effects including extreme sedation/inability to move, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, rapid heartbeat or respiratory depression.
Whether you’re making your own cannabis edibles or buying ready-made cannabis products, get your cannabis from a legal source such as a licensed store, BC Cannabis Stores, the online BC Cannabis Stores website, or through the federal medical cannabis system.
Cannabis products from licensed producers are heavily regulated to ensure they are fit for human consumption including mandatory testing for the presence of solvent residues and contaminants such as pesticides, mould, bacteria, and heavy metals. They’re also tested to confirm THC and CBD amounts.
To find a public retail store near you, visit the BC Cannabis Stores website.
To find a licensed private cannabis retail store near you, visit the cannabis licensing map provided by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
There are strict laws and regulations around the legalization of non-medical cannabis. Before you buy, use, or grow your own non-medical cannabis, learn more about what’s legal and what’s not.
Medical cannabis is within the responsibility of Health Canada. To find out more, go to Health Canada.
You must be 19 years or older to buy, use, possess, or grow non-medical cannabis in B.C.
As of October 17, 2019, federal cannabis regulations will include new rules to allow legal production and sale of three new classes of cannabis products:
As required by the Cannabis Act, the amended regulations will come into force on October 17, 2019. However, it will take time, after that date, before new cannabis products become available for purchase. Adult consumers can expect new products to appear gradually in physical and online stores beginning in late-December 2019.
For a high level overview of these new rules, please review: Final Regulations: Edible Cannabis, Cannabis Extracts, Cannabis Topicals.
To protect your health, keep young people safe and help prevent crime in your community, non-medical cannabis is sold exclusively at government-run stores, licensed private retailers, and the B.C. government’s online store.
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) operates public retail stores and the online store. The list of public retail stores, is be available on the BC Cannabis Stores website. Online sales are available only through the BC government online store. Private retail stores cannot offer online sales and delivery services for non-medical cannabis are not permitted.
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch is responsible for licensing and monitoring private retail stores. Licensed private retailers may sell cannabis and cannabis accessories. They may not sell liquor or tobacco or any items other than cannabis and cannabis accessories. The list of licensed retailers is available on the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch’s page. Licensed retailers are required to display a valid licence where it is visible to the public.
All legal non-medical cannabis has an excise stamp attached to its packaging. Federally-licensed producers and processors apply the appropriate excise tax stamp for British Columbia. If the product does not have a British Columbia stamp it is not legal for sale in B.C. Each province and territory has a different coloured cannabis excise stamp for products sold in their jurisdiction.
B.C. cannabis excise stamp
There are strict laws and regulations around the legalization of cannabis that require each batch or lot of cannabis to undergo third-party testing. These requirements are not mandatory for unlicensed producers.
Third-party testing facilities like Anandia and Valens test cannabis for:
Cannabis from illegal sources is not subject to regulatory controls and mandatory testing. It may contain contaminants and the labelling may not accurately reflect potency.
In February 2021, as part of a pilot study, the B.C. Cannabis Secretariat (Secretariat) sent 20 dried cannabis samples seized from illicit retailers in the Metro Vancouver region to a federally licensed analytical testing lab. The results found that many samples contained contaminants and would not be allowed in the legal cannabis market.
The pilot was carried out by the Secretariat, with assistance from the BC Centre for Disease Control and the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH); NCCEH has authored a blog titled “Unregulated Cannabis: Risky Production Practices Raise Concern for Consumers” that discusses the test results.
Adults 19+ can carry up to 30 grams of dried non-medical cannabis, or its equivalent, in a public place.
In addition, adults cannot possess any more than 1,000 grams of dried non-medical cannabis, or its equivalent, in a non-public place, such as at your home. This limit is per household and is based on the expected yield from four cannabis plants.
Adults 19+ can generally smoke or vape cannabis in public spaces where tobacco smoking and vaping are allowed. But remember, second-hand smoke can be harmful and irritating to people, especially children, so be mindful when smoking in public spaces.
Smoking and vaping cannabis are not allowed in the following public places:
Registered hotel guests may smoke or vape cannabis in their hotel room if the hotel allows it.
Community care facilities, assisted living residences, and hospitals may designate specific rooms in which residents or patients can smoke or vape cannabis.
Non-medical cannabis consumption (in all forms) is banned on K-12 school properties, as well as any adjacent sidewalks or boulevards. It’s also illegal for both driver and passenger(s) to consume non-medical cannabis in a car.
Local and Indigenous governments can set additional restrictions on public use of non-medical cannabis under existing powers to establish bylaws.
This printable factsheet provides additional details about public consumption in B.C.
Non-medical cannabis consumption is generally not allowed in vehicles whether they are parked or moving, but there are some exceptions to this rule.
It can be used in motorhomes or other motor vehicles, or campers, or trailers when being used as a private residence and parked off a public road or forest service road where camping is allowed.
Cannabis can be transported in a vehicle as long as it’s in its original, unopened packaging, or is inaccessible to the driver and occupants (for example, in the trunk). In addition, a maximum of four non-medical cannabis plants can be transported in a vehicle, but they cannot be budding or flowering.
Non-medical cannabis use is generally not allowed on boats. However, you are allowed to use non-medical cannabis on a boat that is moored or anchored if it has sleeping accommodations, a kitchen and a toilet.
Non-medical cannabis use is allowed in a private cabin on a commercially operated boat if the operator allows it.
There are exemptions for use of Health Canada authorized medical cannabis on school property and on inter-city buses, trains and boats as long as specific requirements are met. Details are available in the Cannabis Control Regulation under Part 4 – Medical Cannabis.
There are strict federal rules around promotion of cannabis.
In addition, under provincial regulations, it is illegal for anyone without a retail license issued by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch to advertise themselves as a licensed retailer. Also, no one can market, advertise or promote a place as a location to consume cannabis, or spend time after consuming cannabis.
To find out more about the provincial rules regarding advertising and promotion see sections 36 and 37 of the Cannabis Control Regulation and section 9 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Transitional Regulation.
Cannabis can be used for medical or non-medical purposes. People may choose to use cannabis for its therapeutic effects. But it can also harm your health. Cannabis affects everyone differently.
In a Statistics Canada survey, 17% of people in British Columbia reported consuming cannabis within the past year. But cannabis use does carry some health risks. These risks vary by age of user, consumption method and context of use.
Using cannabis may carry health risks and these risks increase with regular use. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a condition that causes persistent nausea and stomach pain that can cause frequent vomiting and weight loss. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) has collaborated with other organizations to produce a new resource about the syndrome, Frequent vomiting from use of cannabis. The resource provides information about cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, the health risks associated with the condition and options for its treatment and prevention.
Learn more about the health risks and guidelines for safer use:
As of October 17, 2019, federal cannabis regulations will include new rules to allow the legal production and sale of three new classes of cannabis products:
Check out these resources to learn more about the three new classes of cannabis or visit Health Canada’s website:
For information about the health effects of vaping, please visit the BC Lung Association or HealthLink BC.
Cannabis edibles: Start low, go slow
Edible cannabis products may look like regular foods such as baked goods (brownies, cookies), drinks, chocolates or candies, but they aren’t. Many cannabis edibles contain THC and overconsumption can cause adverse effects and/or accidental poisoning, especially if eaten by a child or pet.
Learn more on the safe use of edibles, topicals and extracts
Not using cannabis during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is the safest option for you and your baby until we can learn more from research about the effects. Here is what we currently know:
In pregnancy
Cannabis use during pregnancy may harm your baby. It has been associated in some studies with:
Some pregnant women wish to use cannabis for morning sickness, anxiety or pain. There are alternative treatments for these health issues. Please speak to your health care provider about the options.
When breastfeeding
Chemicals from cannabis are also passed through breast milk, and may have negative short and long term health effects – in the short term affecting the infant’s ability to nurse, and in the long term affecting development.
At the very least, avoid breastfeeding within one-hour of inhaled use, to reduce exposure to highest concentration of cannabis in breast milk.
Learn more about cannabis use, including during pregnancy and while breastfeeding:
Learn more about the health risks of cannabis use, including during pregnancy and while breastfeeding:
You must be 19 years or older to buy, consume (through smoking, vaping and all other forms of consumption), possess or grow non-medical cannabis. Early and regular cannabis use is associated with higher risks of dependency and health problems later in life.
Cannabis can affect your health:
Information for parents and caregivers/allies:
Information for youth and young adults:
Growing cannabis plants at home is legal. Adults 19+ can grow up to four non-medical cannabis plants per household. These plants cannot be grown in a space that is visible from a public place, like parks, streets, sidewalks, sports fields, and K-12 school properties. For example, you can grow plants on your balcony, or in your yard, as long as they’re not visible from a public place.
Growing cannabis at home is banned in homes used as licensed child care.
Landlords and strata corporations can further restrict or prohibit growing non-medical cannabis on their properties.
Local and Indigenous government can also further restrict growing non-medical cannabis at home under existing powers to establish bylaws.
This printable factsheet of frequently asked questions provides additional details about growing at home.
There are strict rules and regulations around travelling with cannabis. Before you travel with cannabis, get informed.
It’s illegal to transport cannabis across the Canadian border. It doesn’t matter whether you’re leaving or entering Canada, or what the laws of your destination are. Bottom line: don’t cross the border with cannabis.
The Government of Canada has important information you’ll need to know before travelling with cannabis. Check out this video to learn more.
Cannabis laws are different between provinces and territories. This includes legal age, where you can smoke or vape, consume, and buy cannabis. Make sure to learn the laws before you travel. Check out the provincial and territorial websites for more details:
Non-medical cannabis consumption is generally not allowed in vehicles whether they are parked or moving, but there are some exceptions to this rule.
It can be used in motorhomes or other motor vehicles, or campers, or trailers when being used as a private residence and parked off a public road or forest service road where camping is allowed.
Cannabis can be transported in a vehicle as long as it’s in its original, unopened packaging, or is inaccessible to the driver and occupants (for example, in the trunk). In addition, a maximum of four non-medical cannabis plants can be transported in a vehicle, but they cannot be budding or flowering.
This printable factsheet of frequently asked questions provides additional details about transporting or consuming cannabis in vehicles.
The federal government regulates all air travel in Canada. Please see the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) guidelines for transportation of cannabis.
With public health and safety top of mind, the Province has passed legislation to provide legal, controlled access to non-medical cannabis in British Columbia:
Cannabis is also known as marijuana, pot, or weed. There are two main types of cannabis plant: sativa and indica. The cannabis plant contains a number of chemical compounds called cannabinoids that may affect the brain and other parts of the body’s nervous system. Parts of the cannabis plant that may be consumed include the leaves, flowers, and buds. Cannabis can be consumed in a number of ways, including can be smoked, vaporized, applied to the skin, cooked in food, or brewed into tea. Cannabis can be used for medical and non-medical purposes.
The most researched cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is responsible for the high and intoxication effects. THC has some therapeutic effects, but it can also have harmful effects. Harmful effects may be greater when the strength of THC is higher.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is another type of cannabinoid. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a high or intoxication. It may be used for its therapeutic effects.
The Province recognizes that the cannabis sector can be a driver of economic growth and employment in B.C., as it has been in other jurisdictions. One of the Province’s goals from the outset has been to develop a sustainable cannabis industry that generates jobs and economic growth throughout B.C.
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is the sole, wholesale distributor of non-medical cannabis for the Province. The LDB distributes pre-packaged products to licensed public and private cannabis retail locations. The product brands belong to the licensed producers and retailers are not authorized to re-package the product with their own branding.
The LDB is committed to being as inclusive of as many licensed producers as possible and will engage with any producer licensed by Health Canada that wishes to do business in British Columbia. Going forward, the LDB will issue product calls on a regular basis. If you are a licensed producer and would like to receive updates related to doing business with the LDB, please contact cannabis.products@bcldb.com to provide contact details for your organization.
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is responsible for licensing and regulating British Columbia’s private non-medical cannabis retail and marketing licensees. Applicants must apply through the cannabis licensing application portal. Learn more about how to apply or amend non-medical cannabis licences.
Individuals providing security services to the cannabis sector follow the scheme set out in the Security Services Act. Under British Columbia’s Security Services Act, businesses and individuals offering security services must hold a valid security licence issued by the Registrar of Security Services. Approved applicants are issued a licence that specifies the types of security services they may provide as well as special authorizations they have such as the use of dogs and restraints while performing security duties. For more information about security industry licencing please visit their website.
The federal government is responsible for regulating and licensing cannabis producers and processors. Information about becoming a licensed cannabis producer or processor is available from Health Canada. The Province’s guide on How to Become a Licensed Cannabis Producer in B.C. provides information on how to get started.
Keeping the criminal element out of the legal cannabis regime and ensuring legal operators comply with regulations are shared provincial and federal priorities.
B.C.’s Community Safety Unit (CSU), under the Policing and Security Branch of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General carries out compliance and enforcement activities related to the illegal sale of cannabis.
The Community Safety Unit can undertake a range of enforcement activities, including conducting inspections, issuing violation tickets, obtaining warrants and issuing demands for information, summoning witnesses, conducting hearings, seizing cannabis, and issuing administrative monetary penalties. The CSU can also recommend the prosecution of offences under the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act.
To learn more information about the CSU’s roles and responsibilities please visit their website.
The CSU may investigate complaints from the public, government departments, or industry about matters related to its mandate.
For more information about submitting a complaint, go to CSU’s website
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is responsible for ensuring non-medical cannabis licensees comply with the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act, Cannabis Licensing Regulation, Worker Qualification Regulation and the terms and conditions of their licence, authorization, or permit. While the goal is to minimize contraventions through education and voluntary compliance, enforcement action may be necessary when there is a serious contravention or repeated contraventions of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act, its regulations and/or with the terms and conditions of a licence.
It is important for the branch to take action against non-compliance to minimize public safety risks and protect community standards. To learn more about the LCRB’s enforcement authority please visit their website.
To submit a complaint to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch against a licensed non-medical cannabis retail store, visit this website.
Generally, there are three kinds of cannabis producers authorized by Health Canada: those who hold a federal licence for commercial production; individuals authorized to produce medical cannabis for their own personal use; and individuals authorized to produce cannabis for another medical user.
Health Canada receives cannabis-related reports from consumers, health professionals, industry and the general public as it relates to its area of responsibility. For concerns and complaints that might represent a possible violation of the federal cannabis laws or regulations, individuals may contact Health Canada’s Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Branch (CLRB) through the Cannabis Reporting Form.
Examples of concerns include:
For further details and clarification about cannabis related questions and concerns please visit Health Canada.
There are laws and regulations to keep your community safe. With public health and safety top of mind, the Province has passed legislation to provide legal, controlled access to non-medical cannabis in British Columbia.
Growing Cannabis at Home
Buying and Selling Cannabis
Cannabis in the Workplace
Tenants, Landlords and Strata Corporations
Local and Indigenous Governments
Adults 19+ can grow up to four non-medical cannabis plants per household. These plants cannot be grown in a space that is visible from a public place. Examples of public places include parks, streets, sidewalks, sports fields, and K-12 school properties. For example, you can grow plants on your balcony, or in your yard, as long as they’re not visible from a public place.
Local and Indigenous governments can further restrict growing cannabis at home. Landlords and strata corporations can also restrict or ban home-growing of non-medical cannabis on their properties.
Growing cannabis is banned in homes used as licensed child care.
Cannabis plants are susceptible to many pests including insects, mites, fungi and bacteria. The way you treat cannabis plants will be different from the way you care for other houseplants due to the fact the plant may be inhaled or ingested. It is recommended that you carefully consider which pest control strategy you choose, as some may impact your health. Learn more about Pest Management and Common Pests.
Resources for growing non-medical cannabis at home in BC:
Adults 19+ in B.C. can buy non-medical cannabis from government-run and private licensed retail stores, and the B.C. government’s online store. B.C.’s Liquor Distribution Branch provides wholesale cannabis to retail stores and operates public retail stores and online sales. The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch licenses and regulates private non-medical cannabis stores. The Province is developing a mandatory training program for non-medical cannabis retail employees. Training will ensure staff have the tools to educate consumers about responsible and lower risk use.
Public safety and health are vital to B.C. employers. And the Province has strong occupational health and safety regulations. Employers must determine if employees are fit for work. If an employee is impaired by cannabis at work, the employer must ask the impaired person to stop work and leave the grounds. WorkSafeBC encourages employers to use legalization of non-medical cannabis as an opportunity to assess how they manage workplace impairment issues.
Employers can review the following resources: WorkSafeBC’s Substance Use and Impairment in the Workplace webpage; Workplace Strategies: Risk of Impairment from Cannabis, a resource for employers developed by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety; and the Construction Industry of British Columbia Substance Abuse Testing & Treatment Program Policy, developed by the Construction Labour Relations Association of BC and the Bargaining Council of BC Building Trades Unions.
Landlords and strata corporations can restrict or ban growing and smoking non-medical cannabis on their properties as set out below.
The Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act have been updated to reflect the following rule changes:
For any new tenancy agreement after legalization, the landlord and tenant must negotiate whether those sections are included.
Resources for Renters and Landlords:
Strata corporations can pass a bylaw, by a 3/4 vote of owners, to restrict or ban smoking or growing non-medical cannabis. Learn more about amending strata bylaws and passing a non-smoking strata bylaw at the Province’s strata housing website. Strata corporations may find it helpful to seek legal advice before passing bylaws. Learn more about getting legal advice on stratas.
Many strata corporations and owners find it helpful to belong to a strata association. These associations provide member support, workshops, resources and advice for a fee. Some information is freely available on the strata associations’ websites.
For more information on how to accommodate the medical use of cannabis under Human Rights legislation, contact a strata association or a strata lawyer about the proper steps to take.
Local and Indigenous governments have the power to make decisions based on the needs and priorities of their communities including creating bylaws or other laws with respect to property, public health and safety and nuisances. Rules around where you can use or grow non-medical cannabis may vary from community to community. Some communities may choose to restrict these activities. In addition, the Province will not issue a licence to sell non-medical cannabis without support from the local government or Indigenous nation.
To find out the rules and regulations in your community, please check with your local government or Indigenous government.
Sport organizations may want to consider how legalization of non-medical cannabis impacts their sport environment. ViaSport British Columbia has summarized elements of cannabis legislation relevant to sport organizations in B.C.
There are strict laws in place to protect children. You must be 19 years or older to buy, consume (through smoking, vaping and all other forms of consumption), possess or grow non-medical cannabis. Early and regular cannabis use is associated with higher risks of dependency and health problems.
Youth
Parents and Mentors
All children deserve to be safe, healthy, and protected from harm. That’s why the Province has taken important steps to protect youth and children from using non-medical cannabis at an early age.
In British Columbia,
All packaging and labelling for cannabis is regulated by the federal government. Strict limits on the look and feel are intended to make it less appealing to youth.
Youth will learn about substance use, including cannabis, in school from Kindergarten to Grade 10 through BC’s Physical Health Education curriculum. Topics include:
Parents and mentors play an important role in helping young people make healthy and informed decisions about cannabis. But talking to youth about cannabis can be difficult if you don’t know the facts.
What do you need to know about cannabis?
Check out these resources to help you have open conversations with your kids about cannabis:
Road safety is a priority for everyone. There are strict laws and regulations to keep our roads safe.
Drug-Affected Driving
Policing
Getting behind the wheel while impaired is not only dangerous, it’s illegal. Drug-affected drivers can face serious consequences like fines, licence prohibitions and jail-time. Learn more about the federal laws and consequences here.
British Columbia made changes to the Motor Vehicle Act, to provide police with more tools to address and deter drug-affected driving. New drivers in the Province’s Graduated Licensing Program now have a zero-tolerance restriction for the presence of drugs, such as THC and cocaine, in their body. The Administrative Driving Prohibition (ADP) was expanded on July 15, 2019, to include drug-affected driving. This factsheet provides additional details about the 90-day administrative driving prohibition for any drug-affected driver, or driver with a blood drug concentration equal to or exceeding the legal limits under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Learn about drug-affected driving and the consequences here:
Non-medical cannabis consumption is generally not allowed in vehicles whether they are parked or moving, but there are some exceptions to this rule.
It can be used in motorhomes or other motor vehicles, or campers, or trailers when being used as a private residence and parked off a public road or forest service road where camping is allowed.
Cannabis can be transported in a vehicle as long as it’s in its original, unopened packaging, or is inaccessible to the driver and occupants (for example, in the trunk). In addition, a maximum of four non-medical cannabis plants can be transported in a vehicle, but they cannot be budding or flowering.
This printable factsheet of frequently asked questions provides additional details about transporting or consuming cannabis in vehicles.
Drug-affected driving is illegal. Police in B.C. are trained to detect and deter drug-affected driving and have multiple tools to investigate impaired driving. If a police officer suspects a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle is affected by a drug, including cannabis, or a combination of drugs and alcohol, the officer may require a driver to submit to a Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST).
Following the SFST, if the police officer believes that a person’s ability to drive is affected by a drug, or a combination of a drug and alcohol, the officer may require a person to:
Learn more about the tools used to combat drug-impaired driving on the Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driving and Drug Recognition Expert Evaluations pages of the RCMP website.
BC Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Secretariat: cannabis.secretariat@gov.bc.ca
Liquor Distribution Branch: cannabis@bcldb.com
Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch: cannabisregs@gov.bc.ca
Community Safety Unit: csu@gov.bc.ca
Federal Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Branch: cannabis@canada.ca
This website contains general information about cannabis and is not a replacement for the legislation. It does not contain or constitute legal advice.
