What are the Ontario Rules for Buying and Consuming Marijuana?

[Natashia Brooks]

On October 17, 2018, recreational marijuana (cannabis), is legal in Canada. Each province has its own rules for buying and using marijuana.

In Ontario, a lot of the laws around the use and purchase of marijuana are similar to the province's alcohol and tobacco laws.

Who Can Buy it?

You must be 19 years or older to buy, use, possess and grow recreational marijuana. It is a crime to share marijuana among minors.

Where Can I Buy it?

The Ontario Cannabis Store will allow you to purchase up to 30g (about an ounce) of dried recreational cannabis at once for your personal use.

The only pace that legally sells recreational cannabis is the Ontario Cannabis Store. It will still be illegal to buy it from anyone other than government-approved retailers.

Every municipality in Ontario has the power to decide where and how many retail stores they want.

You can grow up to four plants per household (not per person), and you will be able purchase legal seeds or seedlings at the Ontario Cannabis Store.

It can be used in many places.

If you are caught in public with possession of marijuana you will be allowed to have up to 30 grams (about one ounce) of dried marijuana on you at any time.

It can only be used in:

a private residence (your home or someone else's), including the outdoor space (for example, a porch or back yard)

Your unit, or on your balcony if you live within a multi-unit building such as an apartment or condo. This will depend on the rules of your building or your lease agreement.

many outdoor public places (parks, sidewalks)

You are not permitted to use it in:

Private residences, such as retirement and long-term care homes

schools or places where children gather (parks, playgrounds, childcare centres)

workplaces

motorized vehicles or while driving

publicly owned places (sports field

Restaurant and bar patios

sheltered outdoor areas where public frequents (bus shelters)

These rules were put in place to protect the public from second-hand smoke and to reduce exposure for young adults and youth to marijuana.

You can face a maximum of:

$1,000 for a first offense

Repeat offenses at $5,000

Driving under the Influence

It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs just like it's illegal to drink and drive. Like other drugs, marijuana can slow down your reaction times and increase your chances of getting in an accident.

If marijuana is found to have impaired you, you could be subject to severe penalties.

Suspend immediate your licence

Fines (money penalties).

possible vehicle impoundment

possible criminal record

possible jail time

Breathalyzer-type devices will be allowed to be used by police officers on the roadsside to measure your intoxication from marijuana use. Once a federally approved device is available, the devices will be used to help police enforce the law.

Learn more about the different offenses and penalties for impaired driving from the Ministry of Transportation.

Zero Tolerance

If you're a commercial, novice, or first-time driver of a motor vehicle, you won't be allowed to smoke marijuana.

Are 21 or less

Have a G1, G2, or M1 licence

are driving vehicle that requires an A-F driver's licence or Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR)

Driving a road-building machine

What are the Health Risques?

Marijuana, like alcohol and tobacco has its health hazards.

The brain function of adults affected by marijuana is affected at all ages. This includes effects on:

Pay attention

Memorization

Learning

The more you use marijuana, the more it will affect your brain. The brain doesn't stop growing until the age of 25.

Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should abstain from smoking marijuana. Marijuana poses a danger to the newborn baby. Heavy marijuana use has been linked to lower birth weight and exposure to THC (or "tetrahydrocannabinol" - the chemical responsible for most of the psychological effects) can affect a baby's brain development.

While research is still inconclusive, there are some additional findings about the effects of THC for babies. Your child may have been affected if you were a mother who used marijuana while pregnant.

memory or attention problems

Problems controlling impulses

Problems with school dispensaryincanada.com performance

Marijuana and Travel

Canada's legalization of marijuana will not affect Canada's existing border rules. It is still illegal to import or export marijuana products. Criminal charges could be brought against you if cannabis products are imported into Canada.

This applies even if you are traveling to or from a country where marijuana has been legalized or decriminalized.

Just because marijuana is legal in Canada it does not mean that the same laws apply when travelling abroad. If you visit another country, you will still be subject to its laws. Do your research to find out the rules of that country's government before you go.

Canadian citizenship doesn't give you any immunity or preferential treatment. If you have previously used drugs, including marijuana after it becomes legal in Canada, you may still be denied entry to a country.

Many countries, including the United States have a zero tolerance policy regarding illegal drugs. This includes possession and use. For even small amounts of drugs, severe penalties can be imposed.

Travel to the United States

It is illegal to import cannabis goods from Canada to the United States, even if you are traveling to a state that has legalized marijuana. If you are found with marijuana, you could face criminal charges and even jail sentence.

Learn more about international travel and cannabis by visiting the Cannabis and International Travel websites of the Government of Canada.

For More Information

Consultation paper: Legalization of Cannabis In Ontario - This report is based on the public consultation that was conducted by the Government of Ontario in order to decide how to regulate cannabis. You can find the Government of Ontario website.

Cannabis- All the facts about marijuana at the Government of Canada website.

Alcohol, Drugs and Travel- Provides advice and information to help you understand and manage the risks associated with drugs and travel. The Government of Canada.