Buying cannabis legally in Ottawa
Last reviewed · Based on official government sources
Ottawa sits on the Ontario–Quebec border, and the rules change sharply when you cross the river into Gatineau. This guide covers the Ontario side; Quebec’s rules, including its legal age of 21, apply as soon as you are in Quebec.
Cannabis rules in Ottawa come mainly from the Government of Ontario and federal law. This guide summarizes them and links to the official sources. For more detail, see Buying cannabis legally in Ontario.
Our directory lists 116 licensed cannabis stores in Ottawa, from official registry data. See all Ottawa dispensaries.
Who can sell cannabis legally
Ontario’s rules apply across the province. The Government of Ontario says you can buy recreational cannabis in two ways: online from the government-owned Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS.ca), or in person at a private retail store authorized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Authorized stores must display the official cannabis retail seal, and the AGCO keeps the official list of authorized stores.
Licensed stores may also offer delivery and curbside pickup under AGCO rules: delivery must be done by the store’s own licence holder or employees, only to a residence or other private place in Ontario, only to someone 19 or older, and only between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. Buying from an unauthorized seller is illegal and can lead to a fine of up to $100,000, up to one year in jail, or both.
Age and possession limits
- You must be 19 or older to buy, use, have or grow recreational cannabis.
- You can have up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent, in public, and buy up to 30 grams at a time.
- You can grow up to four plants per residence, not per person, unless your lease or condo rules forbid it.
Where you can use cannabis
Provincial law allows smoking or vaping cannabis in many places where tobacco smoking is allowed, including private residences and many outdoor public places. It is not allowed in, among other places, indoor common areas of condos and apartment buildings, enclosed public places and workplaces, on or within 20 metres of school grounds, children’s playgrounds and publicly owned sports fields, on or within 9 metres of restaurant and bar patios, within 9 metres of a hospital entrance or exit, and in sheltered areas such as bus shelters.
Municipal bylaws, landlords, condo boards and employers can add further restrictions, and hotels decide whether smoking is allowed in their rooms. Check the city’s own bylaws before using cannabis anywhere outside a private residence.
Crossing into Gatineau
Gatineau is in Quebec. Quebec’s legal age is 21, only the SQDC can sell cannabis there, home possession is limited to 150 grams per residence, and smoking or vaping cannabis is prohibited in all spaces open to the public, including public roads. See buying cannabis in Quebec.
Vehicles and driving
You cannot use cannabis in a vehicle or boat that is being driven or will be driven. When transporting cannabis, keep it in its original, unopened packaging, or packed in baggage and not readily available to anyone in the vehicle. Ontario has zero tolerance for cannabis for drivers aged 21 and under, novice drivers and certain commercial drivers, and drug-impaired driving can lead to licence suspension, fines, impoundment and criminal charges.
A quick checklist for Ottawa
- Be 19 or older, and bring valid government-issued photo ID.
- Buy only from the OCS or an AGCO-authorized store displaying the official cannabis retail seal.
- Carry no more than 30 grams in public.
- Do not smoke or vape near schools, playgrounds, sports fields, patios, hospital entrances or bus shelters.
- Keep cannabis sealed or packed away in a vehicle, and never use it there.
- Never drive impaired. Drivers 21 and under and novice drivers have zero tolerance.
Using our Ottawa store list
Our Ottawa page gives an overview with a map, and the full Ottawa dispensary list shows every licensed cannabis store we have on record in the city, taken from Ontario’s official licensing data. Each listing shows the store’s address and, where we have them, hours and contact details. There is also a page for stores that have confirmed delivery.
We do not rank stores, review them, or recommend products. Some listings may be paid placements; these are always labelled “Sponsored.” Licences can change, so if you want to be certain, confirm a store against the official provincial list before you visit. See how to read a store listing.
Visiting from outside Canada
If you are visiting, remember that it is illegal to take cannabis across Canada’s international borders in either direction, even to a place where it is legal. Do not try to take cannabis home with you. See travelling with cannabis and the first-time visitor FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the legal age to buy cannabis in Ottawa?
- 19, the legal age set by Ontario.
- Can I order cannabis online in Ottawa?
- Yes, from the Ontario Cannabis Store at OCS.ca. Licensed stores may also deliver orders placed with that specific store, under AGCO rules, between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
- How much cannabis can I carry in Ottawa?
- Up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent, in public. That is also the most you can buy at one time in Ontario.
- Can a 19-year-old from Ottawa buy cannabis in Gatineau?
- No. Quebec’s legal age is 21, and it applies to anyone in Quebec, including visitors from Ontario.
In our directory
Sources
Facts in this guide were taken from these official sources, checked October 25, 2026.
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