Canada has a vibrant cannabis community, with legal weed easily available in nearly every city.
Read on to learn more about how Canadians use weed to build community — and what you need to know if you’d like to partake while visiting as a tourist.
Cannabis Culture in Canada
Public opinion has been on the side of legalization in Canada since at least 1997. Support reached almost 70% in 2016.
True to their nice-guy stereotype, Canadians love smoking together. Sharing’s our favourite.
While we don’t quite have the “coffeeshop” culture of Amsterdam, it’s popular to bring a joint or a vape to pass around in a park — or to step outside a bar for a quick puff on an evening out.
Not everyone partakes — just 20% of people admitted to using cannabis in the past three months when asked by Statistics Canada in 2020. But you’ll quickly find that if you bring a joint to a party, you’ll make friends very quickly.
Pot Pop Culture in Canada
Canada loves its stoners. One of our most popular TV exports, Trailer Park Boys, revolves around three loveable potheads in Nova Scotia.
Hollywood’s favourite stoner, Seth Rogen, hails from Vancouver, British Columbia. Even Snoop Dogg is basically an honorary Vancouverite.
Legalisation has also helped spawn a bunch of cannabis lifestyle brands in Canada. Outfitters like VerdeVie, and Doja make some of the coolest apparel, accessories, and pot products around.
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Does Canada Celebrate 4/20?
Canada also loves its cannabis holidays.
Speaking of Vancouver: it’s home to arguably the biggest and best 4/20 celebration in the world. Even before legalisation, April 20th was a day where public pot smoking was essentially legal, and cops were around to make sure nobody got too high.
Other Canadian cities also have great 4/20 celebrations like Montreal and Toronto.
You can also find 710 (code of “OIL” if flipped around) events, for people that love concentrates, around the country, but as in most places, it’s not quite as popular.
Buying and Consuming Weed in Canada
If you’re in a major city, it’s super easy to buy weed in Canada. You don’t need a special licence or card. Any government issued form of ID such as your passport or driver’s licence will do. Any adult can walk into a store and purchase up to 30 grams of dried flower (or its equivalent) at one time.
Consuming it is where things get hazy.
Lots of provinces and territories (Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon) won’t allow you to use cannabis anywhere in public. It has to be done at home or on private property. Keep in mind that many hotels and Airbnbs don’t allow cannabis smoking on their property, as well.
However, in certain cities you can smoke weed like tobacco thanks to their own by-laws which allow individual cities to decide their own regulations. Some areas might allow general public use, except in vehicles or anywhere kids frequent, like playgrounds and schools. It’s always wise to search a city’s by-laws first before consuming publicly. Here are some of the most popular Canadian destinations with their government website linked to their cannabis consumption by-laws:
Make sure to double-check the laws before you arrive! Provinces can further restrict the rules any time they like.
How to Buy Weed in Canada
In cities like Toronto and Vancouver, it’s hard to walk more than 100 metres without hitting a legal pot shop. There are lots in other cities as well. Google Maps is your friend.
You can also order online from many provinces’ official government retailers — as well as licensed, reliable third-party options such as here at Firebird Delivery.
You can’t quite order weed like a pizza in Canada, but delivery is reliable and relatively speedy. Some retailers even offer one-hour delivery in some areas. Firebird offers rapid delivery within 10km of any servicing store!
Legal Age in Canada to Buy Weed
Depending on the province or territory they’re in, adults must be 18 or 19 to buy cannabis in Canada — except in Quebec, where you have to be 21.
Here’s the full list:
- Alberta – 18
- British Columbia – 19
- Manitoba – 19
- New Brunswick – 19
- Newfoundland and Labrador – 19
- Northwest Territories – 19
- Nova Scotia – 19
- Nunavut – 19
- Ontario – 19
- Prince Edward Island – 19
- Quebec – 21
- Saskatchewan – 19
- Yukon – 19
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cannabis Legal for Tourists in Canada?
Yes. Anyone over the legal age — which is 18 or 19 depending on the province or territory — can hold up to 30 grams of cannabis in Canada, and consume it for recreational purposes.
What Percent of the Canadian Population Smokes Weed?
About 20% admit that they smoke when asked by the government’s statistics bureau. But that changes by province.
When Did Canada Legalise Weed?
On Oct. 17, 2018, Canada legalised cannabis for recreational personal use.