Vacationing in Canada: A guide to legalization for travelers – Updated (II)

Ontario

Popular Destinations:  Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara, Kingston, Prince Edward County, Muskoka

Vibe:  Super diverse cultural melting pot with lots of lakes and wine as well as cities and fine dining!  Toronto is one of North America’s largest cities and is sort of like Canada’s New York (but arguably friendlier).  In fact, the cost of film production in Canada is much less than the United States, and many popular shots of “New York” in movies are actually shot in Toronto.  Head north of Toronto to enjoy super the super posh cottage region of Muskoka.  Head west and find yourself at one of the wonders of the world and one of our wine regions—Niagara Falls.  Head east and you’ll hit another wine region, Prince Edward County along with a lot of farmland along the way.  Keep going east and you’ll hit Kingston (where I’m from) and Canada’s oldest city.  If you still want to day trip you can go even further east and hit our country’s capital, Ottawa, and you can thank our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, for legalizing cannabis!

• Minimum Age to Purchase, Possess and Share Cannabis:  19+
• Where to Purchase:  An unlimited number of privately owned retail stores that will begin selling April 1, 2019.  Until then, cannabis can be purchased online only through a government run site and municipalities will be deciding on further licensing and whether they want to opt out.  After April 1, 2019 authorized stores will purchase cannabis and some accessories exclusively from the provincial government.
• Other Details:  Ontario will allow cannabis in any place that tobacco is currently allowed (but not in cars, boats, workplace or any place where children congregate and always at least 9 m. from a door).  Cannabis may only be transported in vehicles if it is “packed in baggage that is fastened.”

Prince Edward Island

Popular Destinations:  Charlottetown, Summerside, Montague, Cape Bear, Malpeque Harbour, West Prince

Vibe:  Small-town feeling with a generous helping of maritime charm!  Prince Edward Island is our smallest province and recognized for its red soil and sand that emerges from the breakdown of red sandstone, and its unique red sandy beaches.  A visit to Malpeque Harbor (where the oysters come from) reveals the devoted fishing culture of the residents of the island. The Bay is a beautiful, sparkling view during the night as anglers fish with bright lamp stands on in the sea. Cape Bear is a location known for high cliffs and home to the seals-mammals.

• Minimum Age to Purchase, Possess and Share Cannabis:  19+
• Where to Purchase:  The government will be handling all sales through a website and four government store locations, in Charlottetown, Summerside, Montague, and West Prince.  No alcohol is allowed to be sold at any of these locations.
• Other Details:  Prince Edward Island will allow smoking in private residences and are currently deciding whether to also allow it in designated public spaces. Cannabis may only be transported in motor vehicles in unopened packaging.  When an open package is being transported, it must be secure and inaccessible to anyone in the vehicle.  

Quebec

Popular Destinations:  Montreal, Quebec City, Magog, Gaspe, Mont Tremblant, Mont St. Anne, St. Donat.

Vibe: European and distinctly proud of their heritage and culture which they preserve and protect.  Quebec is the home of poutine, is French speaking in most of the province (where signs must be more French than English), and a great place to ski on the east coast (with beautiful little skiing villages like St. Donat, Mont Tremblant and Mont St. Anne).  You will also find the world famous Ice Hotel (a hotel literally made of ice) and some of the most breathtaking fall foliage in the whole world. 

• Minimum Age to Purchase, Possess and Share Cannabis:  18+ (but 21+ is being considered)
• Where to Purchase:  Société Québécoise du Cannabis (a government owned store) will sell cannabis online and at 20 store locations come legalization.
• Other Details:  Cannabis will be allowed to be smoked in private residences.  Cannabis will not be allowed in places where tobacco is also prohibited and extend further to public spaces like parks and bus stops.  Cannabis is also prohibited in workplaces, post-secondary educational institutions, enclosed spaces where sports, recreational, judicial, cultural or artistic activities or conferences are held, as well as common areas of residential buildings comprising two or more dwellings.  Youth under 18 who are caught possessing cannabis will be liable for a fine.  Home growing is not allowed and you are allowed to store only 150 grams.

Saskatchewan

Popular Destinations:  Saskatoon, Regina, Moosejaw, Maple Creek.

Vibe:  Strong indigenous roots with plenty of freshwater natural resources.  The major tourist attractions in Saskatchewan are the region’s uncrowded national parks, unspoiled waterways, and vast boreal forests.  While a sprawling prairie covers most of Saskatchewan’s southern half, its northern section contains the majority of the province’s legendary 100,000 lakes. With water being such a prominent feature, it’s no surprise most visitors take a trip to Saskatchewan to canoe, fish, kayak, and swim in some of the world’s least-spoiled lakes and rivers. Other popular activities include golfing, horseback riding, hiking, and observing the region’s abundant animal life.

• Minimum Age to Purchase, Possess and Share Cannabis:  19+
• Where to Purchase:  You’ll be able to buy cannabis through private websites and at 51 private store locations that will be supplied by Licensed Producers throughout Canada.  Alcohol will not be allowed to be sold at these locations.
• Other Details:  Saskatchewan will allow adults to consume cannabis in a private residence, but will not allow cannabis in vehicles, public spaces, as well as schools and daycares. Provincial legislation will require cannabis being transported in a motor vehicle to be either in an unopened package, or secured in an inaccessible space.

Yukon

Popular Destinations:  Kluane National Park, Mount Logan, Whitehorse.

Vibe: Rugged, mountainous outdoor experience that combines the best of Alberta, BC and the Territories!  Mount Logan is Canada’s largest mountain (and North Americas second largest).  Come to Yukon for hunting, angling, canoeing/kayaking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing and dog sledding. You can even see the Northern Lights and glacier waters here too!  While the Yukon is generally more mild in temperature than the other territories, it can also become the coldest place in North America (reaching records of below -60C).

• Minimum Age to Purchase, Possess and Share Cannabis:  19+
• Where to Purchase:  The government will be selling at one lonely store and otherwise online.  Private stores will eventually be allowed.
• Other Details:  Yukon will allow adults to consume cannabis in a private residence or adjoining property, but won’t allow them to smoke or vape in a public space.  Home growing is allowed, but like British Columbia, the plants must be out of public view.  Adults must take reasonable steps to ensure children do not have access to cannabis.