Marijuana laws throughout the world are in a constant state of flux, and if you aren’t paying close attention to the news, new government legislation may slip past your awareness. You may have heard from friends or family that weed is legal in Canada as of 2018, but you want to be sure. It may be legal to buy in-person from an official dispensary, but is it legal to purchase cannabis online too?
According to the law, it depends on where you are. If you stay on the right side of the law, you can enjoy weed at your leisure or use it for medicinal purposes. After you find a suitable retailer, there are a few things you still need to keep in mind for your safety.
Legalities of Weed
It is legal to consume weed for recreational or medicinal purposes in Canada, but there are a few restrictions. The Cannabis Act gives each of the 13 provinces and territories the flexibility to create their own rules. In general:
- The legal age for purchasing weed is 19 years, except for Alberta (18) and Quebec (21).
- You can only buy weed from licensed retailers.
- The legal limit on how much weed you can carry on your person and how much you can possess or share with other adults is 30 grams.
- Weed, much like cigarettes, cannot be consumed in public spaces.
Each province has its own rules, and you must understand and follow the laws according to the area in which you live. Although weed is now technically legal in every province, each has notable restrictions and specificities:
- British Columbia has a minimum purchase age of 19. It has government-run physical and online stores along with private physical stores.
- Ontario also has an age restriction of 19 but only has private physical stores and online government-run stores.
- Quebec’s age limit is highest at 21. It only has government-run physical and online stores.
Every province has a restriction of 30 grams or an equivalent amount. Equivalency is a measurement the government uses to measure cannabis products using dry cannabis as a base. For example, 1 gram of dried cannabis is equivalent to:
- 5 grams of fresh cannabis
- 15 grams of edibles or
- 0.25 grams of concentrates
Note that the restriction applies to how much of each type of cannabis product you can purchase from a retailer. Accuracy in the labeling of equivalencies is crucial for retailers who wish to remain on the right side of the law.
Buying Weed Online
Legalization has allowed users to order weed online and have it delivered to their doors. Bear in mind that age limits for each province still apply to online sales. Once a retailer verifies your age, you will be able to make a purchase. The retailer will then package and ship your order in the mail. You can buy weed through an online dispensary in Canada that holds a private license or through your local government website.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing rules, many provinces had to rethink some of their weed delivery regulations. One of the changes resulting from the pandemic is click-and-collect ordering. The customer orders and pays online for the product then picks it up at the physical store. In the past, the government has allowed retail stores to stay open as an essential business.
Tips for Buying Weed Online
Weed products are consumed in myriad ways, including oral ingestion or inhalation. The health implications of a growing number of users, and the importance of product safety, are why the government has gone to great lengths to create a safer market. As a responsible user, your job is to follow the law, stick to prescribed doses, and engage in intelligent consumer behavior. When you buy weed online, you should:
- Check and make sure that it is from a licensed online retailer.
- Ensure that the retailer uses secure payment options.
- Know whether the store is established and reputable.
- Read online reviews of the retailer’s products or ask your friends for recommendations.
- Look into their shipping and delivery policies.
- Consider the product’s quality and pricing.
- Never purchase weed from an illegal retailer or one that looks suspicious.
If you plan to buy weed, you initially have to register with a licensed online retailer. After that, you can order directly from their website.
Weed Right to Your Door
Buying your weed online is undeniably convenient. You can now place orders directly from home. You have at your fingertips a world of strains, edibles, concentrates, and other cannabis products. Make sure to always purchase from a licensed retailer and stay on the right side of each province’s unique laws. Practicing smart consumer behavior will make your weed journey much safer and more enjoyable.
