Cannabis is no more an illegal substance in Canada. It was legalized in October, 2018 in the nation.
Canadians can now possess and grow marijuana.
But this “liberty to use cannabis” has come with certain restrictions. Did you know you can carry a certain amount of marijuana? The law doesn’t allow you to grow more than 4 weed plants. Driving under cannabis influence can make you subject to lifetime imprisonment. Above all, marijuana laws are different in British Columbia than Alberta.
It simply means that one needs to abide by the laws while using or growing marijuana in Canada.
While these laws might be strenuous, the country has done her best to regulate the cultivation and consumption of cannabis which might otherwise go out of hand again. These laws are important to prevent the abuse of cannabis. That’s why we can say that when it comes to cannabis legalization, Canada is doing the right things.
Here we will understand the reasons how Canada’s cannabis law has kept things under control.
Varying Laws from State to State:
The Cannabis laws are not the same throughout Canada. While the basic norms of the laws remain the same, it varies in each province or territory. Provinces and territories can have their own limitations on the use and sale of weed within their jurisdiction.
For Example, the province of Alberta has set a minimum age for using cannabis is 18 years while a cannabis user should be 19 years old in British Columbia. Ontario allows you to grow weed at home while you cannot do this in Quebec. The public use of smoking or using marijuana is only allowed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
Therefore, make sure to abide by the cannabis laws of your territory or province to avoid getting penalties.
Limiting the Cannabis Possession:
A person can carry only the certain amount of marijuana as prescribed by their province or territory.
Generally, a person can keep up to 30 grams of dried legal cannabis or the similar amount of equivalent cannabis products like liquid (50 grams), fresh cannabis (5 grams) and plant seeds. However, the regulations regarding the storage of weeds at home vary based on province. In Quebec, a person can’t store over 150 grams of dried cannabis at home. British Columbia has recently allowed a domestic possession of up to 1,000 grams of marijuana or the equivalent.
Overseeing the Cannabis Stores:
In Quebec, Ontario, and most of Atlantic Canada, Cannabis stores are operated by local governments, just like alcohol stores. In the rest of Canada, private retailers (overseen by the provincial government) sell cannabis. You can also buy cannabis online.
Introducing Smoking Rules for Public Places:
Again, it depends on the province or territory.
Most states’ marijuana smoking rules in public are similar to tobacco consumption laws. For example, you aren’t allowed to smoke or vape cannabis in schools, playgrounds or public areas used by kids. The cannabis rules in Alberta permit smoking where tobacco is used. In Nova Scotia, cannabis can be smoked anywhere.
Given the varying rules in each state, refer to federal and provincial websites to get clarity on the regulations for each province and territory.
Restricting the Transportation of Cannabis at Canadian Border:
The transportation of cannabis while entering or leaving Canada is illegal, regardless of the quantity, permission for medical use or legalization of weed in the state where you are travelling to or from. You should declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency. Otherwise, it would be considered a serious criminal offence, leading to your arrest and prosecution.
However, you can carry marijuana on a flight between two Canadian cities, as long as you abide by the cannabis laws. For example, you are allowed to bring an ounce of cannabis on a flight from Vancouver to Montreal. The cannabis can be packed in your checked bag on domestic flights. Shipping of marijuana parcels from one Canadian town to another is also allowed.
Not Allowing Driving Under Cannabis Influence:
Contrary to popular belief, cannabis can affect one’s driving ability of driving.
It reduces concentration and attention span as well as leads to slower reaction time and compromised perception of time and distance. And taking cannabis with alcohol increases the risk up to 40 percent.
There is not a limited amount of cannabis have been set for drivers yet as the result varies from person to person. However, it is still an offence to drive under the influence of marijuana. Driving with 2 ng of THC per ml of blood can lead to the penalty of 1,000 CSD. A repeated offence several times can attract both fine and life imprisonment.
Regulating the Cannabis Production at Home:
The cannabis act allows adults to grow up to 4 cannabis plants per household. If the property has more than one adult, they’re still allowed to have a total of four cannabis plants between them. It requires you to get a license from Health Canada if you are growing marijuana for sale. ). If you have more than one home, you can only grow cannabis at the home where you usually live. You can’t grow cannabis on the property where you don’t live.
The cultivation of marijuana is only permitted in a dwelling-house that is your permanent or temporary residence (mobile homes are also included).
The weed can be grown at the connecting parts of your home, including garden, touching lands, greenhouses and garages.
So, we can conclude that Canada has introduced efficient laws to regulate the consumption and cultivation of cannabis in the nation.
