Smokin' in the 6ix: Guide to Cannabis Laws in Ontario

Amanda Breeze
Jul 12
3 min read

Text "Smokin' in the 6ix" in blue and black. Below, "Quick Guide to Cannabis Laws in Ontario" and "Art Cody Vangogh" in small font.

Cannabis is entirely legal to purchase and enjoy in Canada.

Attracting millions of tourists every year, it's still heavily regulated and the rules vary by province. Here’s what you need to know before sparking up in the city to enjoy your cannabis adventures responsibly.

Red Toronto Raptor joint with black spots holds a basketball. It has blue and white jersey on its body. Set against a black background.

Where Can I Light Up?

Anywhere you can smoke a cigarette, you can smoke a joint. Toronto is a laid-back city, and the cannabis culture here is more about courtesy than concealment. Plenty of folks enjoy a puff in the park or walking down the sidewalk. Overall, just be mindful of the people around you to avoid lighting up near families or kids. If you’re concerned about the smell, don’t be.

Smoke-free Ontario

To keep public spaces smoke-free, Ontario does have fairly strict regulations on cigarettes, cannabis, and vaping. Most smoke-free areas are obvious. Still, here's a short list of places where smoking is a no-go: building entrances, playgrounds, hospitals, enclosed public spaces, bus shelters, and, this goes without saying, but any spot with a ‘No-Smoking’ sign. The weird one for international visitors is bars and restaurants: you cannot smoke inside or outside, including outdoor patios.

Cannabis lounges are not legal... yet.

There's a growing push for cannabis-friendly social spaces in Canada. Advocates like Alexis Dickson, founder of Camp Canna, are at the forefront of lobbying for safe, dignified consumption spaces and consumer-friendly spaces for consumers.

You can order cannabis delivery!

Cannabis can be purchased online and delivered to wherever you’re staying. I know it’s hard to believe, but weed is literally legal in Canada. You can straight up order it on Uber! Delivery Drivers will ask for ID, so have it ready and don’t forget to leave a tip! Tipping culture in

Ontario is 15-18%.

You can buy weed at any dispensary.

Any adults aged 19 and older can possess and purchase cannabis from 200+ retail shops and also online! To buy cannabis in Ontario, all you need is a valid piece of ID, like a driver's license or passport. The public possession limit across all of Canada is 30 grams, which can be dried cannabis or its equivalent in edibles and concentrates.

There are many cannabis shops across Toronto, typically with opaque windows, so minors can't look in. Don't be shy! Going to a dispensary is like shopping at any other store. The staff are super knowledgeable and there to help.

You can’t see your weed before you buy it.

Canada has strict cannabis regulations, and everything is pre-packaged before it’s shipped to dispensaries. Be nice to your budtenders; they will recommend the newest and freshest products in store.

Friendly reminder for international visitors: Expect your purchase to be slightly more than the listed shelf price. Ontario has a sales tax that is automatically added to your total at the register.

Share with friends!

You can totally grab an ounce and split it with your best buds or spin a preroll with strangers. Just remember: Adults only! It’s a criminal offence to share or sell cannabis to minors.

Vehicle Warning:

No matter how cold it gets in winter, do not get caught hotboxing a car. Cannabis consumption is prohibited in vehicles, even if it's parked. There are strict penalties for driving under the influence, so if you take a road trip, keep your stash in the trunk.

You should probably avoid driving in the city altogether. Downtown traffic is terrible, and Toronto is a perfectly walkable city with affordable public transit. There are also many rental bikes and designated bicycle lanes. Just watch out for other cyclists! In the hierarchy of road rage, bikes rule this city.

Paper joint figure with yellow hair holds a red and white ball. It wears blue shorts, an orange top, and shoes. White background.

CODY VANGOGH @codyvangogh Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Cody VanGogh is one of Canada's most renowned joint-rolling artists. Over the past decade, Cody has rolled his way across the country, crafting jaw-dropping joints from iconic characters to imaginative monsters. All smokable, too! Pushing the boundaries of what's possible with rolling papers and weed, he's rolled for some of the biggest names in the game, including Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and MGK.