If you choose to purchase or use cannabis it is important to know the law and understand the health effects in order to make an informed decision.

Cannabis Information You Should Know

Recreational cannabis has been legalized by the Federal Government and detailed information on Canada’s cannabis laws can be found on their website.

Ontario’s cannabis laws have been put in place to help keep cannabis out of the hands of children and youth, keep our roads safe and combat the illegal market. Specific laws are now in place about how, where and who can buy and possess cannabis in the province. The government is also moving forward with a tightly regulated private retail model for cannabis that would launch by April 1, 2019.

Medical cannabis will continue to be subject to different rules than recreational cannabis.

A few basic laws to know around purchasing, possession, use, driving, growing, and edibles.

  • Status: If 19 years or older it is legal to buy, have and grow cannabis in Ontario.
  • Purchasing: In Ontario, it is legal to purchase cannabis online through the Ontario Cannabis Store. The Ontario government is still determining how non-medical cannabis will be purchased in person.
  • Possession: One person can have 30g of cannabis in public
  • Use: Cannabis can be smoked or vaped anywhere tobacco use is permitted. Some spaces cannabis cannot be consumed are any enclosed public spaces, workplaces, bar or restaurant patios, near playgrounds or in vehicles or boats.
  • Driving: Drug-impaired driving is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. There is a zero-tolerance policy in Ontario, meaning young, novice or commercial drivers are not allowed to have any cannabis in their system when driving a motorized vehicle.
  • Growing: One home can grow up to four plants (not per person). Seeds must be purchased online from the Ontario Cannabis Store.
  • Edibles can be made at home, but they are illegal to sell or buy. The Canadian Government will address legalization of the sale of edibles in 2019. 

 

  ONTARIO CANNABIS ACT     CANADA CANNABIS ACT  

 

Drug Impaired Driving

Our Drug and Alcohol Impaired Driving page provides information on impaired driving by drug, how do police test for it, and what are the consequences.

Just like alcohol, you are not allowed to possess cannabis in reach of a driver, unless it is unopened and in original packaging or stored in baggage that is fastened closed or not otherwise readily available. These rules apply to cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, or any motorized vehicle, whether the vehicle is in motion or not. The legislation is set up to restrict the ability to consume while operating a vehicle.

Hash Out the Law Video

A short video on a few of the basic laws on cannabis.

Health and Legal Information on Cannabis

Kingston Police has partnered with KFL&A Public Health, The City of Kingston, and Frontenac County Paramedic Services to provide information and education to our community on cannabis.

#HashOutTheFacts

@KFLAPH @FPSParamedics @KingstonPolice @cityofkingston