Cannabis Laws by Province and Territory in Canada

This page is about the law for adults. Cannabis is legal federally for people who meet their province’s age, but each province and territory decides how it is sold and where it can be used.

The federal baseline

The Department of Justice describes the rules in the Cannabis Act that apply everywhere:

• Adults may possess up to 30 grams of legal cannabis, dried or equivalent in non-dried form, in public.
• Adults may share up to 30 grams of legal cannabis with other adults.
• Adults may grow up to four cannabis plants per residence from licensed seed or seedlings.
• No person may sell or provide cannabis to anyone under 18.
• There are two criminal offences related to providing cannabis to youth, with maximum penalties of 14 years in jail: giving or selling cannabis to a person under 18, and using a youth to commit a cannabis-related offence.

Provinces and territories may raise the minimum age but not lower it. They can also restrict where adults may consume cannabis, such as in public or in vehicles, and create additional rules for growing at home, for example by lowering the number of plants per residence. For the Act itself see the Cannabis Act explained.

Minimum age

Province or territory	Minimum age	Source
Alberta	18	Health Canada provincial table
Quebec	21	Health Canada provincial table
British Columbia	19	Health Canada provincial table
Manitoba	19	Health Canada table; the Act defines a “young person” as under 19
New Brunswick	19	Health Canada provincial table
Newfoundland and Labrador	19	Health Canada provincial table
Northwest Territories	19	Health Canada provincial table
Nova Scotia	19	Health Canada provincial table
Nunavut	19	Health Canada provincial table
Ontario	19	Health Canada table; Ontario government page
Prince Edward Island	19	Health Canada provincial table
Saskatchewan	19	Health Canada provincial table
Yukon	19	Health Canada provincial table

Health Canada’s table is dated 26 October 2022 on the page, and its 2023 review report repeats the pattern: all provinces and territories have increased the minimum age to 19, except Alberta at 18 and Quebec at 21. Ages can change, so confirm with the province before relying on the table. Use the age and possession limit checker for a quick lookup.

Possession limit

Health Canada’s provincial table shows the same public possession limit in every province and territory: 30 grams of dried cannabis or equivalent. We did not look at provincial limits for what may be kept at home.

Public use

Health Canada’s 2023 review report says all provinces and territories have placed prohibitions or limits on public consumption, and that most of these rules follow existing tobacco rules. Where exactly varies by province and by city. The smoke-free rules that often decide this are compared in smoking and vaping laws by province.

Growing at home

The federal limit is four plants per residence. Two provinces were singled out in the 2023 review: it said home cultivation of cannabis is prohibited in Quebec and Manitoba.

• Manitoba changed its law. The province announced legislation on 24 April 2024 to repeal its home-grown ban. The consolidated Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act current as of 23 October 2026 now says a person aged 19 or over may cultivate up to four cannabis plants in their residence, subject to regulations (section 101.26.1, added by S.M. 2024, c. 22).
• Quebec. The review report said home cultivation is prohibited. We could not open Quebec’s own pages to check whether that has changed.
• Other provinces and territories. We did not confirm provincial plant limits, so rely on the province’s own page.

A recent change in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s government says its amended Cannabis Control Act was proclaimed on 25 June 2026 and raised fines for buying cannabis outside the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, which is the only legal source in the province.

Driving, travel and more

Impaired driving and crossing borders are separate topics. See cannabis laws on travel, driving and growing and the cannabis hub.