As of Wednesday October 16, you’ll no longer be running afoul of the RCMP if you decide to light up recreationally while in country. Toking skiers and riders rejoice!
Just as long as you keep a few (generous) rules in mind:
- Parks Canada considers tents to be temporary domiciles, and hence allows campers to indulge inside, but bans the use of marijuana in common areas such as “playgrounds, kitchen shelters, washrooms, trails, or roads.”
- As always, smoking on commercial aircraft is not permitted. Canada will not, however, prohibit edibles and other non-smokable forms of cannabis from being consumed on or before flights, ferries, or cruises, so long as the passenger’s behavior does not put fellow passengers or crew in danger.
- It remains illegal to take cannabis across Canada’s national borders, even to a jurisdiction where it’s been legalized.
- As within states in the U.S. where the drug has been legalized, municipalities and other local governments reserve the right to put their own laws in place governing its use. It is the responsibility of visitors to verify the specific laws for the province, territory, or jurisdiction they are visiting.
These rules don’t seem to be particularly harsh compared to U.S. states where marijuana has been legalized. And it always helps to keep the golden rule in mind if pot does happen to be your cup of tea. Be discrete, be courteous, and be safe.
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Find out more here: Cannabis legalization | The National Conversation
