How to tell a licensed cannabis store from an illegal one

Check the official list

Each provincial or territorial regulator publishes the stores it has licensed or authorized. The listings on this site are built from those same registries, and every store page links to the source and shows when we last checked it. You can see all of our sources on how we verify stores.

Some official lists to know about:

• Ontario: the Government of Ontario says authorized stores must display the official cannabis retail seal, and points shoppers to the official list of authorized stores maintained by the AGCO.
• British Columbia: the B.C. government says licensed stores display a “Licensed Cannabis Retailer” decal, and that legal products carry a green B.C. excise stamp.
• Alberta: the AGLC has a public cannabis licensee search, and licensed stores that sell online must link to it from their website.
• Manitoba: the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority keeps a list of licensed stores and their locations.
• Quebec: only the SQDC may sell non-medical cannabis.
• Nova Scotia: the NSLC is the only authorized retailer of recreational cannabis.

Warning signs of an illegal store or website

Health Canada and the B.C. government list these signs of an illegal seller:

• no age verification, or a site you can browse and buy from without confirming your age;
• an online-only seller with no licensed physical store in your province;
• shipping to anywhere in Canada, or outside the province;
• payment only by e-transfer or cryptocurrency;
• referral or sign-up bonuses;
• packaging that looks like candy, snacks or other products that appeal to children;
• no excise stamp on the package;
• selling more than the legal purchase limit;
• offering other drugs;
• claims that a product treats or cures a medical condition.

Look at the product, too

Legal cannabis products have a provincial excise stamp, a yellow health warning in English and French, the standardized red THC symbol, and plain, child-resistant packaging. If the product in front of you is missing these, it is a strong sign it did not come through the legal system. See excise stamp and packaging.

Why it matters

The Government of Canada says legal products are tested for contaminants and for the accuracy of their THC and CBD levels, and can be recalled if there is a problem. It says illegal products may contain contaminants such as pesticides, mould or heavy metals. Buying from an illegal seller can also lead to provincial penalties. In British Columbia, the government says penalties for possessing or buying illicit cannabis can include fines of up to $5,000 or up to six months in jail for a summary conviction. Ontario lists fines of up to $100,000 and up to a year in jail for buying from an unauthorized seller.

What to do if you find an illegal seller

Health Canada suggests reporting illegal sellers to local police or the RCMP. In British Columbia, the Community Safety Unit handles enforcement against unlicensed retail. Do not confront anyone yourself.

If you think a store listed on this site is not licensed, or has closed, please tell us using the contact details in the footer and we will check it against the registry.

A quick checklist

• Find the store on your province’s official list, or on this directory, which is built from those lists.
• In Ontario, look for the official cannabis retail seal; in B.C., the “Licensed Cannabis Retailer” decal.
• Expect an ID check before you can enter or buy.
• Check that products have an excise stamp for your province, a yellow health warning and the standardized THC symbol.
• Be wary of sellers that ship anywhere in Canada, take only e-transfer or cryptocurrency, sell more than the legal limit, or make medical claims.

Stores near provincial borders

A store’s licence only covers its own province or territory. If you live near a border, such as Ottawa–Gatineau or Lloydminster, the rules on age, limits and where you can use cannabis can change when you cross it. The official delivery rules we reviewed, such as Ontario’s, Alberta’s and B.C.’s, only allow stores to deliver or ship within their own province. See legal age and possession limits.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a cannabis store in Ontario is legal?

The Government of Ontario says authorized stores must display the official cannabis retail seal, and you can check the official list of authorized stores maintained by the AGCO.

Is a cannabis website that ships across Canada legal?

Health Canada lists shipping anywhere in Canada as a warning sign of an illegal seller. Legal retailers generally sell only within their own province or territory.

In our directory

• How we verify stores
• All provinces and territories

Sources

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

1. Health Canada: Authorized cannabis retailers in the provinces and territories
2. Government of Canada: Reduce your risk, choose legal cannabis
3. Government of Ontario: Buying recreational cannabis
4. Government of B.C.: Buy legal cannabis
5. AGLC: Common cannabis questions
6. AGLC: Cannabis licensee search
7. Government of Manitoba: Retail cannabis in Manitoba
8. Gouvernement du Québec: The legislation on cannabis in brief
9. Government of Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia's cannabis laws

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