On top of the Canadian Cannabis Laws listed in the Cannabis Act, provinces also have their own laws and regulations to help govern the productions, usage, distribution, packaging, and sales of cannabis and cannabis-related products and services within their province.
In Ontario, the provincial government passed several of their own laws to ensure recreational cannabis does not impact the province’s youth.
Consumption and Possession of Cannabis in Ontario
In line with the legal drinking and tobacco purchase age in Ontario, the minimum age for cannabis purchases and consumption is set at 19 years old. Anyone 19 or older is allowed to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis in public if they do not have a medical cannabis prescription. Cannabis can legally be consumed in private residences, as well as in certain public areas where the consumption of tobacco products are also allowed. This means places such as hospitals, publicly owned spaces, parks, and indoor common areas are banned. Around schools and playgrounds, you must be at least 20 metres away if you are smoking or vaporizing cannabis. Driving under the influence of any type is illegal and carries large fines in both Ontario and Canada as a whole. If driving under the influence of cannabis, one can face a license suspension, vehicle impoundment, fines, and/or jail time. Commercial drivers and anyone under the age of 21 are not allowed to have any cannabis in their system while driving. When driving or transporting cannabis in Ontario, it must be sealed in a closed package, within the legal limit amount, and out of reach of the driver and passengers.
Cultivation & Growing Cannabis Plants in Ontario
Adults over the legal age are allowed to legally grow up to 4 plants per residence with seeds purchased from a Licensed Producer or the Ontario Cannabis Store. Apollo assists all Canadians in obtaining and registering their ACMPR Personal Production (Grow Your Own) License with Health Canada. In order to legally grow medical cannabis in Canada, you must:
(1) be over the age of 19
(2) have no prior cannabis convictions
(3) be prescribed medical cannabis by a physician
(4) fill out and submit an application to Health Canada
Ontario Workplaces & Cannabis
Ontario has made consuming recreational cannabis in the workplace illegal. In the same way, one should not be intoxicated by alcohol, being intoxicated by cannabis can lead to both disciplinary action and dismissal by one’s employer. If using medically with a prescription from a physician, patients need to ensure they’re not intoxicated in the workplace and that they’re able to perform their duties appropriately.