Cannabis law in British Columbia (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: British Columbia sets the minimum age at 19 and a public possession limit of 30 g of dried cannabis (or equivalent). Adults may grow up to four plants per dwelling-house if the plants are not visible from a public place. Cannabis is sold through government cannabis stores and licensed establishments, and smoking or vaping is prohibited in listed outdoor and indoor places. Purchases are limited to 30 g per transaction; new drivers have zero tolerance for THC and any driver over 5 ng of THC per ml of blood faces a 90-day prohibition.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Possession for personal usePersonal use by an adult | Permitted within limits [1] |
| Quantity limitsPersonal use by an adult | Adults (19 or over) may possess up to 30 g of dried cannabis (or equivalent) in a public place. [1] |
| Growing at homePersonal use by an adult | Permitted within limits [1] |
| Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adult | Licensed retail stores for adults [1] |
| Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adult | Restricted in some places [1] |
| VisitorsPersonal use by an adult | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum agePersonal use by an adult | 19 years [2] |
| Purchase limit in licensed shopsPersonal use by an adult | Adults 19 and over may buy up to 30 g of dried non-medical cannabis, or its equivalent, in a single transaction. [2] |
| Driving after cannabis usePersonal use by an adult | Drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program have zero tolerance for THC: any amount means an immediate 12-hour licence suspension. Any driver with over 5 ng of THC per ml of blood (or 2.5 ng with alcohol) within 2 hours of driving gets an immediate 90-day driving prohibition. [3] |
Notes
- No more than four plants per dwelling-house however many adults live there; the grower must ordinarily reside there; the plants must not be visible from a public place; not allowed where a licensed child care programme operates in the dwelling-house.
- Consumption is prohibited on school property and, for smoking or vaping, on health board property, at listed outdoor places (sports fields, playgrounds, pools, skate parks), in prescribed areas of parks, at bus stops and in indoor public places; it is also prohibited while operating, or travelling in, a vehicle or boat. Local governments may add rules.
Sources
- BC Laws (King's Printer, British Columbia): Cannabis Control and Licensing Act [SBC 2018] c 29 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of British Columbia: Possession and purchasing limits (cannabis) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of British Columbia: Cannabis and driving (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in Canada and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for Canada
| Possession for personal use | Permitted within limits (source: Department of Justice Canada) |
|---|---|
| Quantity limits | Adults may possess up to 30 g of dried cannabis (or equivalent) in a public place. Young persons may possess no more than 5 g. (source: Department of Justice Canada) |
| Growing at home | Permitted within limits (source: Department of Justice Canada) |
| Sale to consumers | Licensed retail stores for adults (source: Department of Justice Canada) |
| Medical cannabis | Legal for medical use (source: Health Canada) |
British Columbia and neighbouring provinces and territories
| Province or territory | Possession for personal use | Growing at home | Sale to consumers | Use or carrying in public places | Medical cannabis | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Legal within limits (19+) | Yes, up to 4 plants per home | Government and private licensed stores | Not in listed places or vehicles | — | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Alberta | Legal within limits (18+) | Yes, up to 4 plants per home | Private licensed stores | Not in listed places or vehicles | — | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Yukon | Legal within limits (19+) | Yes, up to 4 plants at the dwelling | Private licensed stores | Only at a dwelling-house or prescribed places | — | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Northwest Territories | Legal within limits (19+) | Yes, up to 4 plants per household | Government commission (NTLCC) | Private property (tobacco allowed), trails, parks | — | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in British Columbia
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 80 km/h
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceEarliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor aged 22+ (from 19 Oct 2026)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Cycle (motor assisted cycle) · Minimum age: 14 (light) or 16 (standard)
- Fireworks
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $18.25 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free, conditions apply
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 19 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 19
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 19 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 19
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.