Prohibition on places of cannabis consumption
Where can’t I consume cannabis?
There are currently bylaws in Greater Sudbury that regulate smoking tobacco in designated public places and workplaces. The bylaws do not include cannabis at this time.
As per the Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017 (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act) and SFOA 2017 Regulation (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act), it is illegal to vape, smoke, or hold lighted cannabis in [3] [4]:
- enclosed public places and enclosed workplaces (includes workplace vehicles)
- schools (includes the property) and a building or the grounds surrounding the building of a private school (including within 20 meters from the property of a school)
- any indoor common area of a multi-unit dwelling
- child care centres, home child care centres, and any place where an Early Years Program or service is provided
- the reserved seating area of a sports arena or entertainment venue
- hospitals (including the property), psychiatric care facilities (including the property), and long-term care facilities (any area indoors and within a 9-metre radius surrounding any entrance or exit)
- restaurants or bar patios (including within a 9-meter radius of a bar or restaurant patio)
- motor vehicles when a person who is less than 16 years of age is in the vehicle
- children’s playgrounds and all public areas within 20 metres of any point on the perimeter of a children’s playground
- sporting areas and public areas within 20 metres of any point on the perimeter of a sporting area or a spectator area adjacent to a sporting area (some exceptions apply to certain locations)
- community recreational centre (includes the property and 20 meters from the property’s perimeter)
How far is the buffer zone around schools?
Public areas within 20 metres of any point on the perimeter of a school are prohibited vaping or smoking areas. [4] SFOA 2017 Regulation (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act)
Are people allowed to consume cannabis on the street?
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act does not prohibit people from consuming cannabis on the street if users are not within prohibited areas. Currently, there are no bylaws prohibiting people from consuming cannabis on the street.
Are people allowed to consume cannabis on patios at branches of the Royal Canadian Legion or other veterans’ organizations?
Cannabis cannot be smoked or vaped on patios, including those operated by a branch of the Royal Canadian Legion or another veterans’ organization. [4] SFOA 2017 Regulation (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act)
Can a person consume cannabis while driving?
No. As per the Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017 (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act), it is illegal to smoke cannabis in any manner while driving or as a passenger in a vehicle or boat. In any scenario, if a person who is less than 16 years old is present in the vehicle or boat, consuming cannabis is prohibited. Cannabis impairment can last, unknowingly, for a prolonged period of time. [1] Driving after using cannabis can lead to an injury to yourself or someone you care about, a license suspension, an arrest, and even a criminal record. Impaired driving is 100% preventable. [5]
Can cannabis be consumed in a boat?
The SFOA 2017 (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act), and SFOA 2017 Regulation (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act), prohibits the smoking of cannabis as a driver or passenger in a boat regardless of whether the boat is in motion. Cannabis can be consumed in a boat with permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking and sanitary facilities, while the boat is at anchor or is secured to a dock or land and is being used as a residence. It is prohibited to smoke cannabis on boats that are being used to carry passengers for hire.
Can cannabis be consumed while driving a snow machine?
As per the SFOA 2017 (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act), it is prohibited to smoke cannabis as a driver or passenger on a snow machine regardless of whether the snow machine is in motion.
Can cannabis be consumed in a recreational vehicle (RV)?
As per the Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017 (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act), and SFOA 2017 Regulation (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act), cannabis can be smoked in a motor vehicle that is equipped with permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking facilities, such as a recreational vehicle, while it is parked in a place that is not a highway and is being used as a residence.
Can cannabis be consumed in a houseboat?
As per the SFOA 2017 (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act), and SFOA 2017 Regulations (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act), cannabis can be consumed in a boat with permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking and sanitary facilities, while the boat is at anchor or is secured to a dock or land and is being used as a residence. It is prohibited to smoke cannabis on boats that are being used to carry passengers for hire.
Can a home health care worker prevent a person from consuming cannabis in their presence?
Yes. Every home health care worker has the right to request a person not vape, smoke, or hold lighted cannabis in the home health care worker’s presence while they are providing health care services. [3] SFOA 2017 (Government of Ontario, Smoke-Free Ontario Act)
1 Eastern Ontario Health Unit, “Cannabis Summary,” 2018.
3 Government of Ontario, “Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 26, Sched. 3,” 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/17s26.
4 Government of Ontario, “O. Reg. 268/18: GENERAL,” 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/180268.
5 Government of Canada, “Don’t Drive High,” 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/don-t-drive-high.html.
This item was last modified on October 18, 2018