Possession & Equivalents

 

On October 17 (2018), the Federal Government of Canada made it legal for an adult to purchase, possess, consume or cultivate cannabis products.

 

Today, an adult may only purchase dried cannabis, cannabis oil extracts, cannabis seeds or cannabis seedlings. Other cannabis products, such as edible or beverage products and concentrates, are to be introduced by October 17, 2019.

 

The federal Cannabis Act allows for the sale and purchase of cannabis seeds and seedlings only. A plant that is flowering may not be legally sold.

 

Legal Age: Adults must be of legal in their Province or Territory to be allowed to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis, or equivalent, in a public place. Check out our Travel Map to see the regulations across Canada.

 

Young people — those under the legal age of 18 — will not be allowed to purchase or possess any cannabis.

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This zero tolerance approach means that youth who possess more than 5 grams of cannabis will continue to be subject to criminal charges under the federal legislation. Youth who possess 5 grams or less will not be subject to criminal charges (which could negatively impact their future), but will be subject to seizure of the cannabis, notification of parents or guardians, and penalties similar to those for underage possession of alcohol or tobacco.

 

Possession Equivalencies to Dried Cannabis

 

The individual public possession limit for cannabis is 30 grams, or cannabis equivalent, of dried cannabis flower.

 

Cannabis Equivalents were developed by the Government of Canada to recognize conversion ratios for the public possession of cannabis products that are not dried flower. Such products include infused cannabis oils or beverages, cannabis seeds, fresh cannabis, edible products or concentrated products.

 

According to Schedule 3 of the federal Bill C-45 Cannabis Act:

 

One (1) gram of dried cannabis is equivalent to:

• 5 grams of fresh cannabis

• 15 grams of edible product

• 70 grams of liquid (e.g. oil) product

• 0.25 grams of concentrates (solid or liquid)

• 1 cannabis plant seed

 

Thirty (30) grams of dried cannabis is equivalent to:

• 150 grams of fresh cannabis

• 450 grams of edible product

• 2100 grams of liquid (e.g oil) product

• 7.5 grams of concentrates (solid or liquid)

• 30 cannabis plant seeds