{"id":3318,"date":"2018-09-07T17:44:30","date_gmt":"2018-09-07T17:44:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/laws-and-regulations\/british-columbia"},"modified":"2024-08-20T13:39:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T13:39:58","slug":"british-columbia","status":"publish","type":"law","link":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/laws-and-regulations\/british-columbia","title":{"rendered":"British Columbia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tIs weed legal in British Columbia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

British Columbia, Canada, home of the BC Bud of cannabis lore, has had legal access to adult use marijuana since Oct. 17, 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The British Columbia Legislative Assembly in August 2018 passed <\/span>Bill 30 \u2013 2018: Cannabis Control and Licensing Act, <\/span><\/a>which governs adult-use marijuana.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tWhat is B.C. Bud?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With favorable growing climates, particularly in areas such as Fraser Valley, Okanagan, and Vancouver Island, as well as the influx of-seed-carrying United States expats seeking to avoid Vietnam War duty in the 1960s, <\/span>British Columbia weed culture began to thrive<\/span>. It is the home to world-renowned strains, informally called B.C. Buds. The western Canadian province has also been a player at the forefront of the country in advocacy for legalization, not to mention consumption. According to <\/span>Canada's 2017 Cannabis Provincial and Territorial Economic Accounts statistics<\/span><\/a>, British Columbia is the No. 1 producer of cannabis in Canada and No. 2 in per-capita consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tIs marijuana legal in Vancouver?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Regulated use of medical marijuana has been legal in <\/span>Vancouver, British Columbia<\/span> since 2001 and remains in effect.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with the passage of legalized medicinal and recreational use, British Columbia took steps to increase penalties for driving while impaired and keep cannabis away from minors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving while impaired is illegal nationally, and British Columbia has imposed a pair of additional penalties and regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In British Columbia, a 90-day Administrative Driving Prohibition will be assessed to a driver whom officers reasonably believe operated under the influence of drugs and\/or alcohol based on blood or fluid analysis or evaluation by a drug recognition analyst.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also in British Columbia, there is a zero-tolerance policy for the presence of THC for new drivers in the Graduated License Program.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under federal guidelines, those found to drive while impaired face tiered penalties. On Dec. 18, 2018, the as part of an overall reform to the criminal codes for transportation offences will be in enforced. Among the changes, police will have greater latitude in stopping suspected impaired drivers and compelling the motorists to submit to an oral or blood screening device regardless of discernible signs of impairment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legal limit for THC in the bloodstream is two (2) nanograms per milliliter. A nanogram is one-billionth of a gram. Concentrations between two (2) and five (5) nanograms result in a fine up to $1,000. Concentrations of 5 or more nanograms will result in a $1,000 minimum fine on the first offense, imprisonment of 30 days or more on a second offense, and 120 days or more on a third offense. Drug-impaired driving accidents can range from 18 months to as much as life imprisonment for a fatal accident.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Providing marijuana to a minor is punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to 14 years in jail.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minors will face fines up to $2,000 if found in possession of cannabis according to Vancouver marijuana laws.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone found intoxicated in public or behind the wheel of a car, or anyone who has exceeded the amount he or she can carry or grow will also face fines up to $5,000 the first time or $10,000 on second offences, with potential jail time ranging from three to six months under <\/span>British Columbia marijuana laws<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tWhere is it safe to purchase weed in British Columbia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Private businesses in British Columbia will be allowed to open cannabis stores under the umbrella of the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, which has released information on <\/span>applying for a license<\/span><\/a>. Operators will be required to undergo a federal background check.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

T<\/span>he BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) will oversee the stores, online sales, and be the sole wholesale distributor of non-medical cannabis. It will open under the brand name BC Cannabis Stores.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both government-run and private retail stores will only be permitted to sell a maximum of 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent in oil or seed, to an individual at one time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BC Cannabis Stores will be the province's sole online cannabis retailer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, formerly the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, is responsible for licensing private, non-medical cannabis retail stores and monitoring compliance of both government-run and private stores.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stores can only sell cannabis and accessories. They may not sell other items, such as tobacco, liquor, or snacks, and are not allowed to co-locate with another business.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illegal sale of cannabis can result in a number of provincial offences ranging from $2,000 to $100,000 in fines, as well as three to 12 months imprisonment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tWhere is it safe to consume cannabis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Smoking will be allowed on private property and residences with the property owner's approval. For rental properties, landlords can write-in or continue cannabis smoking restrictions similar to those for smoking tobacco and other substances. Landlords can also add restrictions to growing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoking marijuana will generally be allowed in public spaces where tobacco smoking and vaping are permitted.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person will not be allowed to consume cannabis in public where tobacco smoking of vaping is prohibited. This includes:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n