Table 2:

Description of how each Canadian province and territory is allowing cannabis retail and online sales*

JurisdictionRetail model in April 2019Online salesLegal age for cannabis purchase, yrRestrictions on hours of operation†Restrictions on proximity to schools
Province
British ColumbiaGovernment: via BC Cannabis Stores, a division of BC Liquor Distribution Branch
Private: via licensed retailers approved through BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch		Yes, via BC Cannabis Stores190900–2300None identified in legislation
AlbertaPrivate: via licensed cannabis retailers approved through Alberta Gaming, Liquor and CannabisYes, via Cannabis Alberta181000–0200100 m from a school
SaskatchewanPrivate: via licensed cannabis retailers approved through Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming AuthorityYes, via licensed private retailers’ websites190800–0300 except Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 (0800–0330)None identified in legislation
ManitobaPrivate: via licensed cannabis retailers approved through Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of ManitobaYes, via licensed private retailers’ websites190800–0000 except Nov. 11 (1300–0000)None identified in legislation
OntarioPrivate: via licensed cannabis retailers approved by Alcohol and Gaming Commission of OntarioYes, via Ontario Cannabis Store190900–2300150 m from a school or a private school
QuebecGovernment: via Société Québécoise du cannabis, a subsidiary of the Société des alcools du QuébecYes, via Société Québécoise du cannabis18None identified in legislation250 m from preschool education services, or elementary or secondary school instructional services with the exception of Montréal (150 m)
New BrunswickGovernment: via Cannabis NBYes, via Cannabis NB19None identified in legislationNone identified in legislation
Nova ScotiaGovernment: via Nova Scotia Liquor CorporationYes, via Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation19None identified in legislationNone identified in legislation
Prince Edward IslandGovernment: via Prince Edward Island Cannabis Management CorporationYes, via PEI Cannabis190900–2300 except Sunday (1200–1700)None identified in legislation; as per FAQs on buying cannabis in PEI, “each location is a respectful distance from schools”
Newfoundland and LabradorPrivate: via licensed cannabis retailers approved through Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor CorporationYes, via CannabisNL190900–0200A board shall not issue a licence to an applicant where the premise will cause inconvenience to a place of worship, school or hospital
Territory
Yukon TerritoryGovernment: via Yukon Liquor Corporation
Private: via licensed retailers approved through Yukon Liquor Corporation		Yes, via Cannabis Yukon190900–0200150 m from each part of a building that is an elementary or secondary school
Northwest TerritoriesGovernment: via Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis CommissionYes, via Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission19None identified in legislationNone identified in legislation
NunavutNo retail stores open as of May 17, 2019Yes, via approved agents for online sales from Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis19Maximum of 12 h during any 24-h periodNone identified in legislation

  • Note: FAQ = frequently asked question.

  • ↵* Sources are provided in Appendix 1.

  • ↵† In some jurisdictions, hours may be subject to further restriction by municipalities and/or Indigenous nations for the area in which the store is located.