Prohibition on sale, possession, and cultivation of cannabis

Is cannabis legal?

Cannabis is legal as of October 17, 2018 when the federal Cannabis Act is in force. [2]

Are cannabis edible products legal?

The sale of cannabis edible products (Government of Canada, Department of Justice) and concentrates will be legal for sale approximately one year after the Cannabis Act has come into force on October 17, 2018. [2]

Is Public Health Sudbury & Districts responsible for the sale or purchase of cannabis?

No. Public Health is not responsible for the sale or purchase of cannabis.

What is the age of legal consumption?

In Ontario, the age of legal consumption is 19 and over. Public Health is advising the public to visit the Ontario Cannabis website (Government of Ontario, Cannabis legalization) for more information.

Where can cannabis be purchased in Ontario?

Cannabis can be purchased (Government of Ontario, Cannabis legalization) through an online retail store, the Ontario Cannabis Store.

When will a person be able to purchase cannabis from a retail store?

The regulated private retail model for cannabis will begin on April 1, 2019.

What rules surround opening a retail cannabis store?

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will be the provincial regulator authorized to grant store licenses. The legislation (Government of Ontario, Cannabis legalization) gives municipalities the flexibility to opt-out of having cannabis retail stores in their communities, before January 22, 2019. The Ontario Cannabis Store will be the exclusive wholesaler and distributor to private retail stores.

2 Government of Canada, “Cannabis Legalization and Regulation,” 2018. [Online]. Available: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/cannabis/.

Expand All

Close All


This item was last modified on October 18, 2018