Cannabis in Ontario

Is cannabis legal in Ontario?

In the wake of the federal legalization of cannabis in Canada, Ontario's marijuana laws are more or less in line with all national rules. Under current Ontario marijuana laws, people aged 19 and over are permitted to purchase, possess and consume cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes. Consumers are limited to 30 grams of cannabis at a time.

Under Ontario's marijuana laws, it is legal to consume cannabis in the following locations:

• Private residences
• Outdoor public places, as long as they do not violate other consumption restrictions (e.g. consuming too close to a school, hospital or care facility)
• Designated smoking areas in hotels and motels
• residential vehicles and boats, provided they meet the other legal requirements applicable to these types of vehicles
• Research laboratories and test facilities
• Other controlled and specifically designated consumption areas

However, it is still illegal to smoke or vapourize cannabis in these places:

• interior common areas
• Enclosed public spaces
• Undesignated interior spaces
• Schools or other places where children usually gather
• Hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and other care facilities
• Public spaces
• Outdoor public spaces too close to restaurants, bars, government buildings, sports and entertainment venues, recreational facilities and parks, sheltered outdoor spaces such as bus shelters, and other restricted areas.

Ontario has also instituted severe penalties for impaired driving.

Under federal guidelines, drivers face graduated penalties based on cannabis and/or alcohol concentration levels, as well as previous offenses. At the federal level, the legal limit of THC in the blood is 2 nanograms per milliliter. One nanogram corresponds to one billionth of a gram. A concentration of between 2 and 5 nanograms carries a fine of up to $1,000. A concentration of 5 nanograms or more carries a minimum fine of 1,000 $ for the first offense, imprisonment for 30 days or more for the second offense, and 120 days or more for the third offense. Penalties for drug-related accidents can range from 18 months to life imprisonment in the case of a fatal accident.

Ontario has imposed its own regulations in addition to the federal ones. These include zero tolerance for drivers 21 and under, and novice drivers of any age, for both cannabis and alcohol. Those suspected of driving under the influence or showing signs of impairment are subject to an immediate three-day suspension and a fine of 250 $. Those convicted by the court face a 30-day license suspension and fines ranging from $60 to $500, in addition to federal penalties.

Is cannabis legal in Toronto?

Yes. Since Toronto is part of Ontario, it's legal to buy, possess and consume cannabis in the city. Under Canadian marijuana laws, provinces and municipalities have the power to create their own marijuana laws. Overall, Toronto's marijuana laws comply with all Ontario marijuana laws and all national marijuana laws.

Illegal storefronts are perhaps the most notable aspect of Toronto's own rules. This is largely because the city has long been home to a large number of illegal counters that regularly sell marijuana, even though they are not legally licensed. The city's official website states that «cannabis cannot be legally purchased in any retail store in Toronto without a provincial license» and further states that the city's licensing and standards agency «continues to work in partnership with the Toronto Police Service to pursue enforcement activities against illegal cannabis stores». If you're trying to buy marijuana in Toronto, the safest bet is to buy online from the Ontario Cannabis Store or from a duly licensed brick-and-mortar marijuana store.

Where can you buy cannabis safely in Ontario?

Now that national legalization has taken effect, Ontario consumers can buy adult-use cannabis online at the Ontario Cannabis Store, a subsidiary of the Liquor Control Board. The store operates a website that explains the legalization process in Ontario.

Initially, Ontario Cannabis Store was the only legal weed retailer. But in April 2019, the first brick-and-mortar cannabis retailers went into business. As a result, it's much easier to find cannabis in Ontario than ever before. Under national rules, customers are allowed to buy a maximum of 30 grams, slightly more and one ounce, of dried cannabis at one time.

Where is it safe to consume cannabis?

Smoking recreational cannabis is permitted wherever smoking tobacco is allowed. It is legal to consume marijuana in private residences, including porches and backyards. Tenants may smoke inside units or on balconies, unless prohibited by lease or property agreements.

Failure to comply with these rules is punishable by a fine of $1,000 for a first offence and $5,000 for subsequent offences.

Universities are currently considering their approach, although many already have anti-smoking and anti-vaping policies that will extend to cannabis.

Owners and supporters of existing medical marijuana lounges hope to be allowed to license recreational marijuana.

It is illegal to consume cannabis in a vehicle or boat for all occupants, whether the vehicle is in motion or not. In a vehicle, cannabis must be stored in a sealed container that is not accessible to drivers or passengers during transport.

Possession of cannabis

Adult use

The legal age to purchase or possess cannabis in Ontario is 19, which is the same as the legal age for alcohol and tobacco. Consumers are limited to 30 grams per transaction.

The province allows adults to possess up to 30 grams, or just over an ounce, of cannabis in a public place. The national government has established equivalents for one gram of dried cannabis, or five grams of fresh cannabis; 15 grams, or half an ounce of edibles; 70 milliliters, or 2.35 fluid ounces, of liquid; 0.25 grams of concentrate; and one plant seed. There is no limit to the amount of marijuana that can be stored in a home.

Cannabis for medical purposes

Under federal law, medical marijuana patients are allowed up to 150 grams, or 5.3 ounces, of dried marijuana or its equivalent, or 30 times the daily dose prescribed by a licensed health care professional.

Is home growing permitted in Ontario?

Ontario follows federal guidelines and allows residents to grow up to four plants per household, regardless of the number of adult occupants. These limits are distinct from approved and licensed medical marijuana home cultivation, which is governed by national laws.

Medical cannabis in Ontario

Thousands of Canadians are authorized by the federal government to possess and consume cannabis for medical purposes. Canadians wishing to use marijuana for medical purposes must qualify for the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), which came into effect on August 24, 2016.

Recipients must provide medical documentation confirming diagnosis by a medical professional. Patients must not be convicted of a marijuana-related offense and can only be registered once at a time.

Eligibility requirements

In general, patients can benefit from medical marijuana in two categories. The first is compassionate end-of-life care, the relief of pain symptoms associated with illness and injury, or the treatment of side effects from cancer or HIV/AIDS drugs.

The second category concerns patients with persistent debilitating symptoms. Among the illnesses listed by Health Canada as potentially eligible are the following:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Back and neck disorders
• Brain damage
• Cancer
• Chronic nausea
• Chronic pain
• Colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Renal insufficiency, including patients on dialysis
• Migraines
• multiple sclerosis
• Muscle spasms
• Muscular dystrophy
• Parkinson's disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sleep disorders
• Road accidents

Application procedure

Information on eligibility and application is available on the Canadian government's medical marijuana website.

Orderlies

Licensed caregivers may possess fresh or dried cannabis or cannabis oil, and may transfer or administer the substance. They may also transfer substances to a person who is responsible for the patient under their professional treatment.