While the Federal Government is responsible for implementing the Cannabis Act, each province and territory is responsible for setting their own rules and restrictions for cannabis use and sale. This means that across Canada, the sale and distribution of cannabis is regulated differently.

Specifically, each provinces and territory must develop, implement, maintain and enforce systems regarding the distribution and sale of cannabis in their jurisdiction.

This includes deciding:

• the legal minimum age (can be greater than 18 – the federal requirement)
• how cannabis can be sold
• where stores can be located and how they must be operated
• where cannabis can be used in public
• how much someone can possess (can be lower than the federal limit)
• requirements on personal cultivation (can be lower than federal limit)

Municipal responsibilities

Municipalities may also share responsibility with their province and/or the Federal Government regarding:

• cannabis education
• taxation
• retail locations and rules
• public consumption

Provincial laws and regulations

Alberta

The Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act and Regulations are the provincial laws regarding the distribution and sale of cannabis in Alberta. Bill 26: An Act to Control and Regulate Cannabis enables the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) to oversee retail licensing, restrictions on youth possession and public consumption.

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) oversees and enforces Alberta’s cannabis market.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of Alberta cannabis legislation
• Cannabis and Impaired Driving Laws
• Tobacco and Smoking Reduction Act

British Columbia

The Cannabis Control and Licensing Act is the provincial law regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in BC.

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is responsible for licensing non-medical cannabis private stores and monitoring the non-medical cannabis retail sector. The BC Liquor Distribution Branch overseas the distribution and sale of cannabis.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of British Columbia, BC Public Safety cannabis legislation
• Motor Vehicle Act
• Cannabis Distribution Act

Manitoba

The Safe and Responsible Retailing of Cannabis Act is the provincial law regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in Manitoba.

In Manitoba, the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority (LGCA) is responsible for regulating the cannabis market in Manitoba and retailers who are selected by the Province of Manitoba.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of Manitoba cannabis legislation
• The Cannabis Harm Prevention Act
• The Highway Traffic Act

New Brunswick

Bill 16: Cannabis Control Act is the provincial law regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in New Brunswick.

The New Brunswick Liquor Corporation regulates cannabis in retail stores through its subsidiary Crown Corporation, Cannabis NB.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of New Brunswick cannabis legislation
• Motor Vehicle Act
• Smoke-free Places Act

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Cannabis Control Act is the provincial law regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in NL

The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC) regulates the supply, distribution and retail sale of cannabis in NL.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of Newfoundland and Labrador cannabis legislation
• Highway Traffic Act
• The Smoke-Free Environment Act
• The Liquor Corporation Act

Northwest Territories

The Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act is the provincial law regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in the NWT.

The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NTLCC) is responsible for the distribution and sale of cannabis in the territory.

• Government of the NWT cannabis legislation

Nova Scotia

The Cannabis Control Act, An Act to Provide for the Regulation and Sale of Cannabis is the provincial law regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in Nova Scotia.

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) is responsible for the distribution and sale of cannabis in the province.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of Nova Scotia cannabis legislation
• Cannabis and Impaired Driving
• Smoke-free Places Act

Nunavut

Nunavut’s Cannabis Act and the Cannabis Statutes Amendments Act are the provincial laws regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in Nunavut.

The Nunavut Department of Finance and the Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC) are responsible for regulating the sale of cannabis in Nunavut.

• Government of Nunavut cannabis legislation

Ontario

The Cannabis Act, 2017 is the provincial law regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in Ontario.

Currently, recreational cannabis is available online through the provincial government’s Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), and at private government licensed retail cannabis store locations. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is the provincial regulator that is authorized to grant these retail stores licences, and the Ontario Cannabis Store will be the exclusive wholesaler to these stores.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of Ontario cannabis legislation
• Cannabis and Impaired Driving
• Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018
• Cannabis Licence Act, 2018
• Highway Traffic Act
• Impairment and Workplace Health and Safety

Smoke-Free Ontario Act

In Ontario, residents are legally allowed to smoke recreational cannabis wherever it is legal to smoke tobacco. This is regulated by the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

Prince Edward Island

The Cannabis Control Act is PEI’s law regulating the distribution and use of cannabis in province. Under the Cannabis Management Corporation Act, the Cannabis Management Corporation regulates the sale of cannabis in PEI.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of Prince Edward Island cannabis legislation
• Cannabis and Driving
• Cannabis Policy, Legislation and Regulation
• Highway Traffic Act
• Smoke-free Places Act

Quebec

In Quebec, The Cannabis Regulation Act is the provincial law regarding the regulates the sale, purchase, consumption, and use of cannabis.

The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) is responsible for the distribution and sale of cannabis in Quebec.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of Quebec cannabis legislation
• Amendments to the Highway Safety Code in relation to the legalization of cannabis
• The Act respecting the Société des alcools du Québec

Saskatchewan

Bill 121: The Cannabis Control (Saskatchewan) Act and Regulations are the provincial laws regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is responsible for the distribution and sale of cannabis in the province.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of Saskatchewan cannabis legislation
• The Miscellaneous Vehicle and Driving Statutes (Cannabis Legislation) Amendment Act, 2018
• The Traffic Safety Act

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is responsible for the distribution and sale of cannabis in the province.

Yukon

Yukon’s Cannabis Control and Regulation Act is the provincial law regarding the distribution and use of cannabis in Yukon.

The Yukon Liquor Corporation is responsible for the distribution of cannabis in the territory.

Other legislation and government information:

• Government of Yukon cannabis legislation
• Motor Vehicles Act
• Smoke-free Places Act

View other sections of Cannabis Law for more information or visit Cannabis Links.

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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