The Legal Status of Cannabis in British Columbia

British Columbia permits non-medical cannabis for adults aged 19 and older through a regulated public and private retail system. Its home-possession allowance is substantially higher than the public limit, while home growing and public smoking remain subject to specific restrictions.

Public and Home Possession Limits

Adults may possess up to 30 grams of dried non-medical cannabis, or its equivalent, in public and purchase that amount in a single transaction. At home, the limit is 1,000 grams of dried cannabis or equivalent per household, not per adult. The province’s possession and purchasing guidance confirms these distinct limits.

Use package equivalencies when combining different product types. A gram of concentrate is not counted in the same way as a gram of dried flower. Authorized medical patients may have additional allowances with the required documentation.

Buying from Public and Private Retailers

The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) operates government BC Cannabis Stores and the provincial wholesale system. Licensed private retailers also sell non-medical cannabis, with the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch responsible for their licensing and regulation. The LDB’s cannabis information site provides industry information.

Consult the province’s legal-purchasing guide when checking a shop or online seller. A store’s legal status should be verified through the regulated system rather than inferred from its storefront or website.

Private retail delivery is also permitted under conditions. The delivery guidance permits orders placed in store, online or by phone and sets a 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. delivery window, subject to tighter local or Indigenous-government limits. Confirm the retailer’s actual service area and delivery requirements before ordering.

Where Smoking and Vaping Are Allowed

Adults can generally smoke or vape cannabis where tobacco smoking and vaping are permitted, but additional cannabis restrictions apply. It is inaccurate to describe every outdoor public place as prohibited, or to assume that every tobacco-permitted location automatically qualifies.

The province’s consumption guide explains restrictions around public buildings, workplaces, transit locations, facilities used by children and other designated places. Local and Indigenous-government bylaws may be stricter. Check park and campsite rules before using cannabis during an outdoor trip.

Since February 2024, provincial rules have allowed cannabis smoking and vaping on public patios where tobacco smoking and vaping are already allowed, subject to other applicable rules. The LCRB’s patio bulletin confirms the change. It does not authorize consumption inside cannabis retail stores or override a municipal patio ban.

Rental Homes and Strata Properties

Landlords and strata corporations can restrict non-medical cannabis smoking and growing. The province’s tenancy guidance also addresses smoke and odour affecting other residents’ quiet enjoyment.

Review the agreement and building rules before consuming or growing. Owning cannabis legally does not resolve a dispute over smoking in a unit, on a balcony or near shared areas.

Growing Up to Four Plants

Adults may grow up to four non-medical plants per household at their ordinary dwelling, using legal starting material. Plants must not be visible from a public place. Growing indoors or outdoors may be possible, subject to property and local restrictions; there is no blanket indoor-only rule.

The Cannabis Control and Licensing Act sets further conditions, including restrictions at homes used for licensed childcare and on growing at multiple dwellings simultaneously. The province’s growing guide explains the household allowance. Adding another adult does not double it.

Driving and Vehicle Transport

Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal. Graduated-licensing drivers face additional zero-alcohol and zero-drug restrictions; check ICBC’s licence requirements for the conditions attached to your licence.

For ordinary non-medical transport, the province permits up to 30 grams or equivalent in original unopened packaging, or opened/unpackaged cannabis kept inaccessible to the driver, such as in the trunk. The cannabis-and-driving guide explains these rules. Transport permission does not authorize smoking or vaping in the vehicle.

Medical authorization does not excuse impaired driving. Arrange alternative transport before consuming, and check both the possession rules and the permitted consumption location when travelling within the province.