CBD has gone through a massive consumer boom. Because of its soaring popularity and promotions, there was no time for information to be given to consumers, so, misinformation is widespread when it comes to CBD. One of the most important questions is: is it legal in Canada?
Is CBD Legal in Canada? In Canada, cannabis was legalized for recreational use on the 17th of October 2018. CBD falls under those rules, so it is legal in Canada, but must be purchased from a licensed producer and you must also see specific local laws too, for what is an isn’t allowed.
Also worth knowing is that you have to have a prescription for medical marijuana and that can only purchase through around 23 of the 100 ‘licensed producers’ who are authorized by the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. This means it is often difficult for people to get access to CBD in Canada, even with a prescription for it.
Because CBD is seen the same as THC, all laws regarding cannabis in Canada are universal no matter if you are buying CBD for helping with an ailment, or buying a cannabis product high in THC, to get ‘high’. So going over the laws for cannabis as a whole will also apply to CBD.
Many variables have to be considered with CBD because it depends on the product, the quality of it and how some people metabolize CBD differently, just as with any biohacking supplement.
Table of Contents
Provincial laws
As with the United States, Canada has state-by-state or ‘province-by-province’ laws. There are various different rules regarding things such as:
- Minimum age
- Growing plants at home
- Home storage limits
- Plants per household
- Usage in public
- Whether it can be sold by private retailers
- Whether it can be sold by public retailers
- Whether it can be sold by government-run retailers
- How online sales are operated
- And how it can be transported
Is CBD legal in Alberta?
The minimum age for usage is 18 in Alberta. There is no home storage limit and the province allows for growth at home, but a maximum of four plants per household.
Use in public is limited to places where tobacco can be smoked. Cannabis products can be sold by private, public and government-run retailers.
Online sales are government-operated. When transporting any cannabis product it must be secured in closed packaging out of reach of the driver or any passengers.
Is CBD legal in British Columbia?
The minimum age for use is 19 in British Columbia.
There is a limit of 1000 grams of home storage, plants can be grown at home but the limit of four is still in place. It can be smoked or vaped mostly where tobacco can be, but there is a ban on smoking or vaping on or near playgrounds, schools, or other public places used by children. It can be sold by private, public and government-run retailers.
Online sales are government-operated. In transporting the product, it must be in a sealed package or inaccessible to passengers. You can transport up to four non-flowering plants.
Is CBD legal in Manitoba?
The minimum age for use is 19. You can only grow plants at home if you have a medical license, there is no limit as to how much you can store at home.
You are not allowed to use cannabis products in public and products are only sold by private retailers, this goes for online shopping as well. For transportation, the product must be stored in a secure compartment.
Is CBD legal in New Brunswick?
The minimum age for use is 19. There is no limit on the home storage amount, and you can grow up to four plants at home.
Usage of products is not allowed in public however and products can only be bought from government-run retailers both online and on the street. There are no rules or restrictions on transporting cannabis.
Is CBD legal in Newfoundland and Labrador?
The minimum age for use is 19. You can grow up to four plants at home with no limit on storage either. Products cannot, however, be used in public.
Products are sold by private and public retailers, with online sales being government operated. For transportation, cannabis must be in a sealed package and not available for use to anyone on board, unless the vehicle is used as a place to stay.
On taxis and buses, passengers are freely allowed to carry cannabis.
Is CBD legal in Northwest Territories?
The minimum age for use is 19. Plant growth is allowed at home with a limit of four plants, there is no limit on storage at home.
Cannabis products can be used on trails, highways, streets, roads, and parks when they are not in use by a public event.
Products are sold by public and government retailers, online sales are also government operated.
For transportation, the product must be unopened or stored in an out of reach place for all passengers.
Is CBD legal in Nova Scotia?
The minimum age for use is 19. Up to four plants can be grown at home, with no limit on storage. It can be smoked or used anywhere where tobacco can be smoked.
Products are only sold by government-run retailers both online and on the street. Transportation rules say that the product must be in a closed package and out of reach for anyone in the vehicle.
Is CBD legal in Nunavut?
The minimum age for use is 19. Four plants can be grown at home with a limit of 150 grams of storage at home.
Products can be used mostly where tobacco can be, but not around schools, in vehicles, playgrounds, or hospital grounds.
Currently, products can only be bought online, on the phone, or through government agents of the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
Currently, no stores sell marijuana bur private businesses may become licensed in the future.
Transportation rules require that products are not in reach of anyone in the vehicle.
Is CBD legal in Ontario?
The minimum age for use is 19. Plant growth at home is allowed, with a limit of four per household and there is no limit on storage. It can be smoked only where tobacco can be, but not in vehicles.
Private, public and government retailers are available, online sales are government-run. For transportation, the product must be sealed and not accessible by anyone in the vehicle.
Is CBD legal in Prince Edward Island?
The minimum age for use is 19. Up to four plants can be grown at home with no limits on storage. It cannot be used in public and only government-run retailers are available, online sales are also government operated.
Transporting cannabis requires that the product is secured and inaccessible to anyone in the vehicle.
Is CBD legal in Quebec?
The minimum age for use is 19. Plant growth is not permitted at home and there is a limit of 150 grams of storage at home.
It can be smoked anywhere tobacco can be. There are private and government-run retailers available, with online sales being government operated.
There are no restrictions on transportation.
Is CBD legal in Saskatchewan?
The minimum age for use is 19. Plant growth is permitted with the standard limit of four and there is no limit on storage at home. It cannot, however, be used in public.
Public and private retailers are available with online sales being privately operated.
Transportation rules require that the product is not ingested if it is in the vehicle.
Is CBD legal in Yukon?
The minimum age for use is 19. You can grow up to four plants at home with no limit on storage. It cannot be used in public and can only be bought from government-run retailers, as with online sales as well.
For transporting products, it must be in a closed container which is inaccessible to all people in the vehicle.
Most of the laws province-by-province are quite similar, with one or two provinces not allowing growth or having limits on storage at home.
It is, of course, illegal to drive while under the influence, so be cautious in taking CBD if driving, as it is seen in the same vein as the psychoactive THC.
Conclusion
Cannabis laws in Canada are both blurred and clear.
What is clear is that all products, whether they are by-products of cannabis or not, are all seen the same.
What is blurred is this distinction itself, laws are confusing for the public as to what is legal to have, to buy and to possess.
Cannabis was only recently legalized and teething problems are expected.
Distinctions will be made in the future but for now, check province-by-province laws and avoid taking CBD while driving.
