Quick answer: In Ontario you must be 19 or older to buy, use, carry or grow cannabis. You can carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis (or the equivalent) in public, grow up to 4 plants per household, and consume at home and in many outdoor public places, but not in enclosed public spaces, workplaces, on patios or near schools and playgrounds. Driving high is a criminal offence, and drivers 21 or under or with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence must have zero cannabis in their system.
Cannabis has been legal in Canada since 2018, but the rules aren’t the same everywhere. Ottawa sets the national framework, and Ontario adds its own rules on age, where you can consume, and driving. Here’s a plain-English summary of what applies in Ontario in 2026. It’s general information, not legal advice.
Ontario Cannabis Laws at a Glance
| Topic | The rule in Ontario |
|---|---|
| Legal age | 19 or older to buy, use, possess or grow |
| Public possession | Up to 30 g of dried cannabis, or the equivalent |
| Sharing | Up to 30 g with another adult 19+ |
| Home growing | Up to 4 plants per household, not per person |
| Edibles | No more than 10 mg THC per package |
| Extracts and topicals | No more than 1,000 mg THC per package |
| Where you can’t consume | Enclosed public spaces, workplaces, patios, school grounds and playgrounds, vehicles and boats being driven |
| Driving | Impaired driving is a criminal offence; zero tolerance for drivers 21 and under and novice drivers |
| Legal retail | The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS.ca) online, and AGCO-authorized retail stores |
Legal Age
The minimum age in Ontario is 19, the same as for alcohol. That applies to buying, using, carrying and growing cannabis, and age is checked at purchase and on delivery. More detail is in our guide to the legal age to buy cannabis in Ontario.
How Much Can You Carry?
Adults can carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent, in public. For other products, 1 gram of dried cannabis equals 5 g of fresh cannabis, 15 g of edibles, 70 g of liquid product, 0.25 g of concentrate, or 1 seed. The limit covers everything you’re carrying combined. Our weed measurements guide shows what 30 g looks like for each product type.
Where You Can and Can’t Consume
| Usually allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Private homes, including porches, balconies and backyards | Enclosed public places and all workplaces |
| Many outdoor public places, such as sidewalks and parks | Indoor common areas of condos, apartments and university residences |
| Designated hotel, motel and inn guest rooms | Restaurant and bar patios, and within 9 m of a patio |
| Parked vehicles or boats used as a residence | Schools, playgrounds and within 20 m of their grounds |
| Publicly owned sports fields and outdoor hospital grounds | |
| Vehicles and boats that are being driven |
Leases, condo rules, employers and municipal bylaws can add more limits. Smoking or vaping in a banned place can bring fines of up to $1,000 for a first offence and up to $5,000 for repeat offences. For London specifics, see where you can smoke weed in London, Ontario.
Growing Cannabis at Home
Each household can grow up to 4 plants, no matter how many adults live there. Growing is allowed at home, not at a place of business, and plants should come from seeds or seedlings bought from a legal source. Your lease or condo rules may restrict growing, so check first. Browse cannabis seeds, or read autoflowering vs feminized seeds.
Driving and Transporting Cannabis
- Driving high is a crime. Penalties can include an immediate licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, fines, a criminal record and jail time.
- Zero tolerance: drivers 21 or under, drivers with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence, commercial drivers who need an A to F licence or CVOR, and road-building machine operators can’t have any cannabis in their system.
- How long to wait: Ontario says impairment can last 6 hours or more, depending on THC and how you consumed it. Edibles can last much longer.
- Transporting: in a vehicle, cannabis must be in its original, unopened packaging, or packed in baggage that isn’t readily available to anyone in the vehicle.
Buying Cannabis in Ontario
Under Ontario’s rules, legal recreational cannabis is sold online through the Ontario Cannabis Store and in person at stores authorized by the AGCO, some of which offer delivery or pickup. Authorized products carry the standard cannabis symbol, health warnings, child-resistant plain packaging and an excise stamp. Here’s how to read a cannabis label. Medical cannabis is a separate system; see recreational vs medical cannabis in Canada.
Travelling With Cannabis
Taking cannabis across the Canadian border, in either direction, is illegal, even if it’s legal where you’re going. Within Canada, each province has its own age and possession rules. Our guide to travelling with weed has the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal age for cannabis in Ontario?
You must be 19 or older to buy, use, possess or grow cannabis in Ontario.
How much weed can I carry in Ontario?
Up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent in other products, in public.
How many cannabis plants can I grow in Ontario?
Up to 4 plants per household, regardless of how many adults live there.
Can I smoke weed in my car if it’s parked?
Only if the vehicle is parked and being used as a residence, such as a camper. You can’t consume cannabis in a vehicle that is being driven.
Can G1 or G2 drivers have any cannabis in their system?
No. Ontario has zero tolerance for G1, G2, M1 and M2 drivers, drivers 21 or under, and commercial drivers.
Sources
- London Police Service: Cannabis FAQs
- Ontario Cannabis Store: Legal use of cannabis in Ontario
- Ontario.ca: Cannabis and driving
- Ontario.ca: Where you can’t smoke or vape in Ontario
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws can change, so check the official sources above. Cannabis is for adults 19+ in Ontario.
Buy weed online in Canada · Same-day weed delivery in London, Ontario on weekday orders placed before noon (12:00 PM EST).
