Sale of recreational cannabis

Every province and territory sells recreational cannabis through online government websites and some also allow private online sales and retail storefront sales.

Depending on the province, cannabis may also be available through government retail stores (such as liquor stores), private retailers, or a combination of both. Where private retailers are permitted by the province, they must be granted a licence or permit to sell cannabis. To learn the requirements to acquire a licence to sell cannabis, including the rules regarding opening retail shops, refer to the provincial licensing body:

ALBERTA:   Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC)

• Online Sales – Government only, Alberta Cannabis
• Retail Stores – Licensed private retailers

BRITISH COLUMBIA:   Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB)

• Online Sales – Government only, BC Cannabis Stores
• Government Stores – BC Cannabis
• Retail Stores – Licensed private retailers

MANITOBA:   Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority (LGCA)

• Online Sales – Licensed private retailers
• Retail Stores – Licensed private retailers

NEW BRUNSWICK:   The New Brunswick Liquor Corporation

• Online Sales – Government only, Cannabis NB
• Retail Stores – Government only

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR:    Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC) 

• Online Sales – Government only, CannabisNL
• Retail Stores – Licensed private retailers

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES:   Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NTLCC)

• Online Sales – Government only, NTLCC
• Retail Stores – Licensed private retailers

NOVA SCOTIA:   Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC)

• Online Sales – Government only, NSLC
• Retail Stores – Government only

NUNAVUT:   Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC)

• Online Sales – Government or the NULC’s agents (private retailers)
• Retail Stores – Government or the NULC’s agents (private retailers)

ONTARIO:    Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

• Online Sales – Government only, Ontario Cannabis Store
• Retail Stores – Licensed private retailers

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND:    PEI Liquor Control Commission (PEILCC) and Prince Edward Island Cannabis Management Corporation (PEICMC),

• Online Sales – Government only, the Prince Edward Island Cannabis Management Corporation (PEICMC), PEI Cannabis
• Retail Stores – Government only, PEI Cannabis

QUEBEC:   Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC), which is a subsidiary of the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)

• Online Sales – Government only, SQDC
• Retail Stores – Government only, SQDC

SASKATCHEWAN:   Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA)

• Online Sales – Licensed private retailers: Cannabis retailers must operate a storefront and can also choose to sell product online.

• Retail Stores – Licensed private retailers

YUKON:   Yukon Liquor Corporation

• Online Sales – Government only, Cannabis Yukon
• Retail Stores – Government and licensed private retailers

Sale of medical cannabis

Medical cannabis can be purchased legally in every province.

Retail stores are not authorized to sell cannabis for medical purposes. Medical cannabis can only be legally purchased directly from a producer licensed by Health Canada (known as an LP – Licensed Producer).

For more information about cannabis and the law, choose from our 100 topics on Cannabis Law.

Get help

To erase your criminal record for simple cannabis possession or any other criminal charges, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

If you have been charged with a criminal offence, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible. Contact our preferred criminal defence expert, Calvin Barry Criminal Lawyers for a free consultation at 416-938-5858 .

								
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