Laws surrounding sales of online weed Canada may seem relaxed, but that’s not exactly the case. Anyone ordering medical cannabis in Canada must be a registered applicant with Health Canada. They must also order directly from licensed medical marijuana producers.
Canada’s current medical cannabis laws only permit a direct transfer from a licensed producer to a registered patient. In fact, the patient must first apply to the authorized grower’s program as a client before they can order cannabis online.
Canada Post also has its own set of strict rules for how medical marijuana can be sent in the mail.
These facts may confuse some people because medical cannabis can seem like it can easily be obtained. But, just because Canada law enforcement does not prosecute certain sales doesn’t make these activities legal.
And, of course, everything is set to change once Canada legalizes recreational cannabis.
To help clear some confusion and learn how legal online weed Canada deliveries work, continue reading to learn more.
How to Legally Buy Medical Marijuana Canada
To legally buy online weed in Canada, someone must receive a medical note prescribed by their doctor.
Doctors are authorized to recommend medical cannabis Canada for the following conditions:
- Nausea after chemotherapy
- Loss of appetite or body weight because of cancer or HIV/AIDS
- Pain and muscle spasms because of multiple sclerosis
- Chronic pain
- Insomnia or depression from a chronic disease
- Symptoms encountered during end-of-life (palliative care)
- Other symptoms, as determined by your healthcare practitioner
Typically, primary care doctors will not recommend medical cannabis until other treatments have been unsuccessful. But, some medical professionals are more willing than others to recommend marijuana as a treatment.
Once your medical professional has determined that medical marijuana can help your symptoms, they will complete a document detailing their findings.
This document contains your information as a patient along with a daily recommended quantity of dried medical cannabis. The document also specifies how long the patient should consume marijuana.
Finding a Licensed Medical Cannabis Canada Producer
Once a patient receives a medical document, they can submit it to their choice of licensed producer of medical marijuana.
There are 89 total authorized, licensed MMJ producers in Canada. You can look them up on a list provided by Health Canada.
After submitting your medical document, you can get approved by the grower and begin receiving shipments through the mail.
Is It Legal to Buy Online Weed Canada for Medical Purposes?
Yes, plenty of authorized cannabis producers allow for purchases online. In fact, you can often submit your document online and then receive approval by email.
After being approved, you can order up to a 30-day supply of medical marijuana Canada at a time. The maximum quantity of medical cannabis you will be allowed to possess at a time is 150 grams (5.3 oz).
Receiving a mail order after buying online weed Canada is incredibly convenient. For some patients who have mobility issues or lack of transportation, it’s the only way they can receive their medicine.
Most licensed producers offer a huge variety of marijuana strains for sale online. You can often select the strain according to your symptoms or personal preferences.
You can continue receiving shipments of medical marijuana for as long as your medical document is valid — up to one year. After that, the document must be renewed by your healthcare professional.
What Are Canada Post’s Rules for Shipping Weed Bought Online?
According to the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, no carrier other than Canada Post can ship medical marijuana. Canada Post also holds strict rules on how medical cannabis is shipped.
For instance, all packages must be sealed so that there is no marijuana odor. The package must not be labeled in a way to reveal its contents, either. Recipient information, including full name and address, should be clearly displayed.
What About Ordering from Dispensaries and Other Businesses?
Currently, medical marijuana Canada cannot be legally sold in a retail environment. This fact may confuse people because these cannabis shops seem like they are everywhere.
That’s because the sale of retail marijuana is currently “tolerated” or “overlooked” by Canada and Provincial law enforcement officials.
“Officers have a considerable amount of discretion which they use,” Mark Pugash, spokesperson for the Toronto Police, told Now Toronto. “We have a large number of competing priorities and so we make decisions about where we think our resources will do the most good and where they’re most needed.”
Similarly, Canada Post does not actively screen or inspect mail if it has been properly packaged.
Some people have been arrested for receiving medical marijuana Canada shipments in the mail, but the arrests or seizures are much rarer than in the United States.
In fact, one activist recently mailed medical cannabis Canada samples to every Liberal MP in parliament. So far, no arrests have been made or investigations started in response.
When Will It Be Legal to Buy Online Weed Canada for Recreational Purposes?
Justin Trudeau introduced legislation to legalize recreational marijuana use in Canada last year. The original timeline for implementing the bill — and legalizing weed for all Canadians — was summer 2018.
Unfortunately, the legal cannabis bill has hit a procedural snag. It cleared the House but has been delayed for review in the Senate. Many believe that the bill won’t be in effect for 2018.
But, the medical cannabis Canada industry is eagerly preparing for legal recreational sales. Overproduction has caused prices to drop, and many cannabis producers have gone on a hiring spree.
In effect, everyone is gearing up for the day that marijuana will be easier to access by all.
The current system of ordering cannabis online in Canada is seen as a burden to patients by many. Others want to see an end to harmful policies that pass up on economic opportunities.
When the time comes, legal Canada weed will be a boon to cannabis lovers and the economy alike. That’s something we can all raise our bongs to for a hearty toast!
