Many edible cannabis products available elsewhere in Canada are prohibited in this province due to legislation that prohibits “sweets, confectionery, dessert, chocolate, or any other product tempting to anyone under the age of 21.”
The legalization of cannabis for recreational use occurred in Canada in 2018. But just because something is “legalized” doesn’t give you carte blanche. These are the ground rules that you must follow before you purchase canadian edibles online.
1. Only cannabis purchased via the SQDC is within the law.
Only through the Societe Quebecoise du Cannabis can you legally purchase cannabis in Quebec (SQDC). Therefore, buying cannabis from a friend or a website other than the SQDC’s is unlawful. It’s a crime, and you might go to jail if caught.
For medicinal purposes, cannabis has its own set of regulations. To learn more, you can check out Health Canada’s webpage.
In Quebec, you can buy cannabis in a variety of forms, including dried flowers, extracts, and edibles. Rigorous regulations govern the manufacturing and distribution of these. One requirement is that all merchandise be sold in plain packaging.
Any ingredient that might make an edible appealing to anyone under 21 is also prohibited—this rules out the possibility of them having any sugar or artificial coloring.
2. Don’t give cannabis to anyone under the age of 21.
Always use care when in the company of other people who use cannabis. In Quebec, anyone under 21 is prohibited from purchasing or possessing cannabis.
3. You can’t consume to use edibles in a public setting.
Public cannabis use (vaping, smoking, etc.) is illegal in Quebec. Included in the list of open locations are the following:
The great outdoors, such as in a park, playground, sports field, day camp, or summer camp.
Communal streets (sidewalks, alleyways, streets, highways, footpaths, etc.)
Outdoor markets can be set up at bus stops, terraces, and other public places.
Smoking is also forbidden on bicycles and inside parked cars, regardless of who is driving.
4. Your landlord can prohibit residential cannabis use.
Whether or not you can smoke weed in your apartment.
When you sign your lease as a tenant, your landlord may include a clause that forbids you from using cannabis on the property. The terms of your lease are also subject to change at the landlord’s discretion. Landlords must provide tenants with three to six months’ notice before the end of a 12-month lease.
Condominium associations can prohibit residents from using edibles in public spaces. Similarly, if tenants of a condo building find that residents are using cannabis in private spaces, the condo board can prohibit such use.
If you use cannabis for medical purposes, you fall under different regulations. If you want further facts, check out Health Canada’s site.
If you are a property owner, you can drink wherever you like. There are limits, however. You can’t smoke weed, for example, if you run a daycare out of your house while the kids are there.
5. Where you are restricting how much you can have in public.
The legal amount of dried cannabis an individual can possess in public is 30 grams. In other words, the equivalent of 30 grams of dried cannabis is the maximum for all kinds of cannabis.
To be clear, there are some locations where it is illegal to have cannabis in public presence. Some examples are as follows:
- schools
- universities
- daycares
At home.
The legal limit for cannabis in its dried form in a private residence is 150 grams (see table above). The household limit of 150 grams applies whether you live in an apartment, a condo, or a house. This means that the 150-gram limit must be split among roommates.
Did you know? You can also buy cannabis seeds for sale online and grow your own weed plant. However, always remember there is a max amount on how much you can grow.
6. You can’t grow cannabis at home in Quebec.
Up to four cannabis plants are permitted in some provinces. The province of Quebec has decided to outlaw the cultivation of cannabis by its residents. This means that carrying any plant could result in a monetary penalty.
7. You can’t cons cannabis use illegal and drive.
Driving under the influence is illegal. If the level of THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis) in your blood is above the legal limit, you will be arrested and charged with a felony. The amount of THC in your system determines the severity of the offense. Check out our piece on drunk driving for additional info.
A “zero-tolerance” policy will soon be implemented in Quebec. This means you cannot legally operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis. You won’t face criminal charges, but you might have to pay a fine and forfeit some points if caught. In addition, for the next 90 days, your driving privileges will be revoked. This zero-tolerance policy isn’t in place now, but it will be soon.