What is the legal age for cannabis in Canada?

It depends on the province: 18 in Alberta, 21 in Quebec, and 19 everywhere else. The age where you are applies.

Can tourists buy cannabis in Canada?

Adults who meet the local legal age can buy from stores or websites authorized by the province or territory, with valid photo ID. Cannabis cannot be taken out of Canada.

How much cannabis can I carry in Canada?

Up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent, in public. Provinces may have other limits on purchases and home possession.

Cannabis in Canada: a first-time visitor’s FAQ

Last reviewed October 25, 2026 · Based on official government sources

If you are visiting Canada, or have just moved here, cannabis rules can be confusing. Possession is legal for adults under federal law, but each province and territory sets its own rules for age, sales and where you can use it, and cities can add more. This page answers the most common questions in short form and links to the detailed guides. Everything here is based on official government sources, listed at the bottom.

Is cannabis legal everywhere in Canada?

Adults can legally buy and have cannabis everywhere in Canada, but only from sellers authorized by the province or territory, and only within the limits and places that jurisdiction allows. The rules differ noticeably from place to place, so check the rules for where you are. See legal age and possession limits by province.

How old do I have to be?

18 in Alberta.
21 in Quebec.
19 in every other province and territory.

The age where you are applies, not the age in your home province or country. A 19-year-old visiting Quebec, for example, cannot buy or have cannabis there.

How much can I carry?

Under federal law, adults can have up to 30 grams of dried legal cannabis, or the equivalent in other forms, in public. Health Canada has an online public possession limits calculator for converting other products. Some provinces also limit how much you can buy at once or keep at home.

Where can I buy it?

Only from a store or website authorized by the province or territory you are in. Depending on the province, that is a government store, a privately run store licensed by a provincial regulator, or both. See provincial buying systems and how to tell a licensed store.

This directory lists stores from official provincial licensing data. You can find the stores in a city from the provinces page. We do not rank stores or recommend products.

What ID do I need?

Stores must check that you are of legal age. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. Rules on which documents are accepted can vary by store and province, so a passport is the safest choice for international visitors. See ID to buy cannabis.

Can I bring cannabis into Canada, or take it home?

No. The Government of Canada says it is illegal to take cannabis across Canada’s international borders, in either direction, whether you are entering or leaving, and even if you are travelling to or from a place where cannabis is legal. This includes cannabis products containing CBD. You must declare any cannabis you have when entering Canada.

Previous cannabis use, or work in the cannabis industry, could affect whether you are allowed to enter other countries. See travelling with cannabis.

Can I fly with it within Canada?

CATSA says recreational cannabis is permitted in carry-on and checked baggage on flights within Canada, and that passengers are responsible for knowing the laws at their destination. The 30 gram public limit still applies, and liquid forms follow the usual carry-on liquids rules.

Where can I use it?

This depends heavily on where you are:

Quebec prohibits smoking or vaping cannabis in all indoor or outdoor spaces open to the public, including public roads.
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and several other provinces and territories prohibit use in public.
Ontario and British Columbia generally allow smoking or vaping where tobacco is allowed, with many exceptions such as near schools, playgrounds and, in B.C., most parks.
Calgary prohibits public consumption in any form, even though Alberta law is less strict.

Hotels, rentals and landlords can also forbid smoking. Never use cannabis in a vehicle. See where you can use cannabis.

Can I drive after using cannabis?

Driving while impaired by cannabis is a criminal offence in Canada, and police can use roadside drug screening. Several provinces have zero-tolerance rules for young, new or commercial drivers, and Quebec has zero tolerance for any detectable drug in a driver’s saliva. If you have used cannabis, do not drive. See cannabis, driving and work.

How do I know a product is legal?

Legal products carry an excise stamp for the province or territory, a yellow health warning, the standardized red THC symbol and child-resistant packaging. Edibles cannot contain more than 10 mg of THC per package. See excise stamp and packaging and how to read a label.

What if I am staying with children around?

Keep any cannabis locked away, out of sight and reach of children and pets, in its original packaging. See safe storage.

Frequently asked questions

What is the legal age for cannabis in Canada?: It depends on the province: 18 in Alberta, 21 in Quebec, and 19 everywhere else. The age where you are applies.
Can tourists buy cannabis in Canada?: Adults who meet the local legal age can buy from stores or websites authorized by the province or territory, with valid photo ID. Cannabis cannot be taken out of Canada.
Can I take cannabis back to the United States?: No. The Government of Canada says it is illegal to take cannabis across Canada’s international borders, even to places where it is legal.
How much cannabis can I carry in Canada?: Up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent, in public. Provinces may have other limits on purchases and home possession.

In our directory

All provinces and territories

Sources

Facts in this guide were taken from these official sources, checked October 25, 2026.

Related guides

Travelling with cannabis: within Canada and at the border

What official sources say about carrying cannabis within Canada, flying domestically, and why taking cannabis across any international border is illegal.

Cannabis legal age and possession limits by province and territory

The minimum age and public possession limit for non-medical cannabis in every Canadian province and territory, with how equivalents to dried cannabis work.

Where you can use cannabis: public places, rentals and vehicles

How the rules on where adults can use cannabis differ across Canada: public places, homes, landlords and condos, hotels, vehicles and boats.

What ID do you need to buy cannabis?

What to expect when a legal cannabis store or delivery driver checks your age, and why a seller that skips ID checks is a warning sign.

How to buy cannabis legally in Canada

A plain-language overview of where adults can legally buy non-medical cannabis in each province and territory, and how to avoid illegal sellers.

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