Travel Tips
Visiting Canada for Cannabis? 9 Rules Every International Traveller Should Know
Cannabis is legal across Canada, but the age, the places you can smoke and even where you can buy change by province. These nine rules will keep your trip legal and stress-free.
Canada legalized recreational cannabis nationwide in October 2018, and visitors can buy and enjoy it just like Canadians. But each province writes its own rules, and some of the biggest mistakes tourists make happen at the airport. Here's what you need to know.
1. The legal age depends on the province
- 18 in Alberta
- 21 in Québec
- 19 in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and most other provinces
Bring government photo ID. Stores check everyone who looks under 30.
2. Never cross a border with cannabis
This is the big one. Taking cannabis into or out of Canada is illegal, even if you are travelling to or from a place where it is legal. It applies to flights, cars and cruise ships, and to edibles, oils and vapes. Buy it here and finish it here.
3. Buy only from licensed stores
Each province has official stores or licensed private shops. Licensed products carry a coloured excise stamp on the package. Buying from anyone else is illegal. Use our nearest-shop map to find a store.
4. You can carry up to 30 grams in public
That's dried cannabis or its equivalent in other forms. Adults can share with other adults, but selling without a licence is a crime.
5. No smoking indoors in public places
Bars, clubs, restaurants, cafés and hotel lobbies are all off-limits everywhere in Canada. Licensed indoor consumption lounges still aren't legal, so look for outdoor lounges and private spaces instead.
6. Outdoor rules change at every city line
Toronto allows smoking on most sidewalks and in most parks. Vancouver bans smoking in all parks and on beaches. Calgary and Montréal ban public consumption almost entirely. Check our province-by-province rules before you go out.
7. Hotels are mostly smoke-free
Some hotels designate smoking rooms, and in Ontario those are the only hotel rooms where cannabis can legally be smoked. Always confirm cannabis is allowed in writing. Our list of hotels with smoking rooms is a good starting point.
8. The best option for groups is a private home
A private residence is where Canadian law gives you the most freedom, with the owner's permission. For a celebration, rent an entire home, confirm the host allows cannabis and gatherings, and keep it invite-only. Never sell cannabis or charge entry.
9. Don't drive, and don't boat
Cannabis-impaired driving and boating are criminal offences, and police can test at the roadside. Book a ride, use transit, or stay put.
Ready to plan?
Start with Toronto, our top destination, or browse luxury stays if you want the full experience. For something truly unforgettable, BC has offered fly-in wilderness trips with a private chef and curated Canadian cannabis.