Recreational marijuana is officially legal across Canada today, but rules differ from province to province, so here are some things to take away from it…
In Ontario:
If you are 19 years of age or older, you can now buy, consume and grow recreational marijuana in Ontario. You can also share up to 30 grams of pot among adults over 19.
While buying edibles remains illegal for another year, you can make marijuana food and drinks at home.
But you are only limited to carrying up to 30 grams of dried cannabis in public.
Residents are also limited to growing a maximum of four plants per household at any given time.
Where to Get It
ONTARIO CANNABIS STORE
The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) is the only place to legally purchase marijuana in Ontario and will be the case until at least April 2019.
The government-run website—which will be the only legal place in Ontario to buy weed until this April, when other licensed cannabis stores can legally start selling—will be selling up to 70 types of marijuana will officially be available for sale under www.ocs.ca. That number will eventually go up to 150, according to the OCS.
When you first visit the store, expect to enter your birth date to verify that you’re 19+.
Browse the store here:
Public Smoking
According to the Cannabis Act, which remains in force until the Doug Ford government passes the Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, no one is allowed to smoke cannabis in a public place, a workplace, or a vehicle or a boat. In August, the provincial government announced consumption rules would match the rules around smoking tobacco.
Under the current law, you can smoke cannabis in a private residence. Landlords and condo boards, however, have the authority to restrict or ban cannabis smoking.
Under proposed legislation, you could smoke and vape cannabis at the following places:
Private residences.
Many outdoor public places.
Designated guest rooms in hotels, motels and inns.
Residential vehicles and boats.
Scientific research and testing facilities.
Controlled areas in long-term care homes, certain retirement homes, residential hospices, provincially-funded supportive housing, designated psychiatric facilities or veterans facilities.
Under proposed legislation, you would not be allowed to smoke cannabis in the following places:
Indoor common areas in condos, apartment buildings and university/college residences.
Enclosed public places and enclosed work places.
Non-designated guest rooms in hotels, motels and inns.
Schools and places where children gather.
On school grounds.
All public areas within 20 metres of these grounds.
On children’s playgrounds and public areas within 20 metres of playgrounds.
in child care centres, or where an early years program is provided
In places where home child care is provided — even if children aren’t present
Hospitals, hospices, care homes and other facilities.
Also, you would not be able to smoke or vape cannabis:
Within nine metres from the entrance or exit of hospitals (public/private), psychiatric facilities, long-term care homes, independent health facilities.
On outdoor grounds of hospitals (public/private) and psychiatric facilities.
In non-controlled areas in long-term care homes, certain retirement homes, provincially-funded supportive housing, designated psychiatric or veterans’ facilities, and residential hospices.
Publicly owned spaces, including sports fields, nearby spectator areas and public areas within 20 metres of these areas.
Vehicles and boats being driven or at risk of being put into motion.
And you would not be allowed to smoke or vape cannabis in other outdoor areas, including:
Restaurants and on bar patios and public areas within 9m of a patio.
On outdoor grounds of specified Ontario government office buildings.
In reserved seating areas at outdoor sports and entertainment locations.
Grounds of community recreational facilities, and public areas within 20 metres of those grounds.
In sheltered outdoor areas with a roof and more than two walls which the public or employees frequent, or are invited to (e.g. a bus shelter).
Driving
Driving high will result in fines, with zero tolerance for those under 21. The province has implemented zero tolerance for those under 21 caught driving under the influence of weed, regardless of licence status, and those with learners’ permits (G1, G2, M1 or M2)
EDIBLES ILLEGAL FOR NOW
Commercially manufactured edibles and concentrates remain illegal until sometime in 2019.
BOTTOM LINE: Legalization of recreational marijuana is expected to impact many aspects of life. Policies are either already re-written or are in the process of re-written.
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