It’s the one-year anniversary of the legalization of marijuana in Canada. Although medicinal marijuana was available for years prior, October 17, 2018, was the first time that Canadians could smoke recreational cannabis legally.
The Cannabis Act made possessing and consuming cannabis no longer an offence. However, it also introduced a bunch of new rules governing exactly when and where it was legal to do so. Additionally, provinces introduced their own regulations governing cannabis use.
Although it has been legal for a year now, many people still aren’t 100% sure where they are allowed to smoke a joint. Arguably, police in BC took a relaxed approach to smoking in public prior to legalization. This has contributed to the confusion over whether it is now legal to smoke in public or not.
This blog will break down the regulations governing where the law tells us it is OK to possess and smoke cannabis.
Can I smoke cannabis in public?
The Cannabis Control and Licensing Act sets out BC’s rules when it comes to the use of cannabis.
Anyone over the age of 19 is allowed to purchase, sell or consume cannabis. They are allowed to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis in a public place.
You are also allowed to smoke in public in BC with several important exceptions. Smoking and vaping cannabis is prohibited everywhere tobacco smoking and vaping are prohibited. That means smoking cannabis in indoor public places such as public transport facilities, workplaces, restaurants and bars is a no-go. If you’re unsure about whether you can smoke a joint somewhere, it’s a good idea to ask yourself the question, would I be allowed to smoke a cigarette here?
Other prohibited public places
Other locations where the use of cannabis is prohibited are playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks and any other place where children commonly gather. The use of cannabis is also not allowed on school property.
Vehicles
The Act also prohibited the use of cannabis in vehicles, whether you are a passenger or the driver.
Can I smoke cannabis at home?
You are free to smoke at home, however, if you rent, some building agreements may have clauses specifically banning the use of cannabis inside. So it’s a good idea to check.
What about growing cannabis?
The law states you may to grow up to four cannabis plants per household, with no height restrictions. However, you still need to be careful about exactly where you are growing them. They must not be visible from public spaces off the property. So you cannot have plants growing in your front yard. Keeping plants indoors, away from the windows or somewhere a person walking by would not see them is fine.
Home cultivation is banned if your home is used as a daycare.
Potential punishments
As well as establishing regulations, the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act creates a number of provincial offences. Each offence may result in a fine ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, imprisonment for three to 12 months or both.
Here is our guide about some other important rules about cannabis use:
If you are charged with an offence under this act, we recommend you hire a lawyer to fight it for you. Acumen Law Corporation is ahead of the curve when it comes to the new marijuana laws and we can help.
Call us for a free consultation on 604-685-8889.
my 4 grandchildren live next to a chain pot smoker in a townhouse complex. She and her son smoke constantly in the back yard which joins to my grandchildren. They have to stay inside all day in the summer to avoid inhaling the cannabis. They also cannot have their windows open in their complex. Why is there no regulation to protect children ? Plus these people have a 10 month old child inhaling it every day ? but because it is their private property they are allowed to smoke even though the air is public.
then stfu and move
lmaoo
I am an active person who work from home these days due to critical situation of covid. Every afternoon i go out to do some exercise either at a park or at the beach. Unfortunately people keep smoking weed almost everywhere and it seems there is no where you can do exercise or relax in this city. So sad to see those who are sensitive to smoke has no right to enjoy fresh air.
Do you understand that a lot of people smoke for pain, illness, trauma etc? If you didn’t understand, I’m glad you do now. If you did understand, you choose to let a lot of less privileged people suffer rather than be slightly inconvenienced. And both of those situation speak volumes to ignorance and apathy.
Buddy if you can’t relax just smoke a little
Agreed. There are other ways to get the medicinal effects of marijuana other then smoking. I find marijuana smoke nauseating and it frustrated me to be enjoying to e in the beach only to be inundated with marijuana smoke. (And as someone with trauma who takes cannabis drops for sleep it isn’t like o don’t understand it’s use )
Right on, thanks! Haha
I am all for safe inhalation sites …
You go to a location like a pub …
smoke your marijuana for an hourly fee …
How do I open a safe inhalation store ???
I’m curious if pot smokers would be OK if I threw my drink in someones face. Maybe it’s even a healthy drink I use for arthritis perhaps. Upset maybe? Smoke is not the same.
We were just up in Canada for the fireworks festival and people were lighting up in a crowd of 10K or more. The smoke was directly coming into our face and also many little kids trying to enjoy the event. To me, the fact that people are lighting up in this type of environment show a sense of entitlement and no shits given for others.
So if I was walking down the street drinking a bottle of whisky what would the cops do. Yet dopey can walk down the street smoking a stinking joint polluting every one else air and this is okay, there is something wrong with this picture.
I think you need to go smoke you need a break my dawg
These self-entitled pot smokers medicinal or not, must by law have an effective peripheral air-filter within their respective home/residence to be considerate to others as others are required to respective of them. Fundamental fairness to breath clean air for all is not an unreasonable ask by any means!
Chronic pot smokers should move next to a coal burning factory to gain some perspective on empathy for asthmatics, COPD, allergic or individuals who have a right to clean air!
@FreshAir I’m asthmatic and still smoke pot bud. Asthma people and people with COPD don’t usually care just don’t blow it in there face … the smell contains no THC and it’s impossible to get high off fumes… You should smoke one bud
I’m asthmatic and smoke pot … the pot secondhand smoke contains nothing harmful unless you directly blow it right at someone’s face even then it contains no thc or anything after someone smoked it and had everything absorbed in there lungs … Do research on it before you speak.. second hand pot smoke may be nussiance for 10 mins while someone smokes but you can always just walk away from it or close you damn windows
Some people get sick from the smell and little children should not be exposed to the smock just so you can have fun. Smoke in your own dwelling with your windows shut if you enjoy it so much.