Recreational Cannabis Regulations
Regulations concerning the consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes in British Columbia have been designed in accordance with Federal regulations. However, they also feature restrictions / allowances that are specific to the Province. If you enjoy smoking cannabis, make sure that you’re doing so in accordance with BC marijuana laws. We have listed them below so that you can gain a strong understanding of BC’s cannabis smoking regulations.
BC Regulations:
- The minimum age for recreational use of cannabis is 19 in British Columbia.
- Areas of allowed use – private residences, most outdoor public places, designated guest rooms like hotels and motels, residential vehicles and boats, and scientific research and testing facilities.
- Areas of controlled use – long-term care homes, certain retirement homes, and residential hospices. As well as provincially-funded supportive housing, and designated psychiatric facilities or veterans’ facilities.
- Areas where use is prohibited – anywhere tobacco smoking and vaping are prohibited. As well as playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, and other places where children commonly gather. Also prohibited on school properties and in vehicles.
- Driving restrictions are a fundamental part of BC smoking regulations. Driving while under the influence of cannabis is strictly prohibited by law in British Columbia. Failure to abide by this legislation can result in any or all of the following repercussions:
- Immediate license suspension
- Financial penalties
- Possible vehicle impounding
- Possibility of criminal record
- Possibility of jail time
- Place of purchase restrictions – BC marijuana laws dictate that you can only buy cannabis through government-run stores and privately-owned ones. There is to be no cohabitation between cannabis products and alcohol.
- Possession restrictions – individuals aged 19 and up are legally allowed to have a maximum of 30 grams of dried cannabis in their possession in public at any time.
- Transportation restrictions – product transported in a motor vehicle must be sealed in original packaging or located so that it is inaccessible to vehicle occupants.
- Growing restrictions – individuals aged 19 and up are legally allowed to grow up to four plants per residence, not per person.
- Workplace regulations – consuming recreational cannabis in the workplace is illegal in British Columbia, unless otherwise explicitly specified by the ownership or management.
BC Smoking Regulations for Medical Marijuana
In compliance with the Cannabis Act of October, 2018 individuals who have received authorization from the regulatory body of the Canadian Province where they reside may purchase, possess, and consume medical cannabis without personal storage limits in the home. The public possession limits are as follows; the lesser of 150 grams or a 30-day supply of dried cannabis (or the equivalent in cannabis product) in addition to the 30 grams allowed for non-medical purposes. Individuals must be able to provide documentation of their medical marijuana authorization if in public possession of cannabis.
Municipal Variances; Recreational & Medicinal Use
There are no variances between the Province and its BC smoking regulations pertaining to cannabis and regulations for individual municipalities in the Province. Provincial regulations will apply to all cities, towns, and elsewhere in British Columbia.
