The short answer is that, yes, you can legally buy CBD oil in Canada. This is due to The Cannabis Act, which came into effect on October 17, 2018, and which made it legal to buy, sell, and use cannabis products in Canada.
However, there are some restrictions when it comes to CBD oil for sale in Canada. For example, it must be sold by a licensed retailer, and it must be labelled correctly.
In this guide, we'll provide you with more information on the purchase and use of CBD in Canada to help you stay on the right side of the law.
The History of CBD Legislation in Canada
Marihuana Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR)
CBD oil was first legalised in Canada in 2001 when the country enacted the Marihuana Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR). The MMAR allowed people with certain medical conditions to possess and use cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations
In 2003, the Canadian government passed the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR), which established a system of licensed producers that could provide cannabis to patients with a doctor’s prescription.
Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations
The MMPR was replaced by the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) in 2016. The ACMPR expanded the list of medical conditions that could be treated with cannabis, and it also allowed patients to grow their own cannabis or designate someone to grow it for them.
The Cannabis Act
The Cannabis Act, which came into effect on October 17, 2018, made it legal to buy, sell, and use cannabis products in Canada. This includes CBD oil. However, there are some restrictions on the sale of CBD oil. For example, it must be sold by a licensed retailer, and it must be labelled correctly.
Cannabis for Recreational Use in Canada
The Cannabis Act provided for the following rights for cannabis users -
Persons aged 18 or older can:
- Possess up to 30 grams of dried or “equivalent non-dried form” in public.
- Make cannabis-infused food and drinks "as long as organic solvents are not used to create concentrated products."
- Grow up to four cannabis plants from "licensed seed or seedlings" in a household, although Quebec and Manitoba chose to be excluded from this aspect of the legislation.
How Easy is it to Become a Seller of Cannabis in Canada?
To become a licensed producer of cannabis in Canada, there is a lengthy application process that potential producers must go through. The requirements include having a secure facility, meeting good production practices, and ensuring that the cannabis produced is safe for consumption.
In order to sell cannabis products, retailers must obtain a licence from their provincial or territorial government. Retailers are also required to comply with strict packaging and labelling requirements set out by Health Canada.
Because of these restrictions, the cost of cannabis products in Canada is relatively high, often 10-15% higher than in the neighbouring US.
So, Could I just Bring CBD from the US to Canada?
It is illegal to bring cannabis products into Canada from the US, even if you are carrying it for personal use. If you are caught bringing cannabis into Canada, you could face criminal charges, and that's no matter how much cannabis you have with you. Even if you are authorised to use it for medical purposes in any form and if you are travelling to or from an area where cannabis has been legalised or decriminalised.
When entering Canada, you must declare any CBD that you’re carrying to the Canadian Border Services Agency.
Receiving or sending cannabis in any form into or out of Canada by mail or courier is also illegal. So don't think that you can import cheaper CDS products from the USA! Any unauthorised purchases from outside Canada (online or other) will be confiscated at the border, and not only do you lose your purchase, but you could also be arrested and prosecuted.
How About Delta 8 THC?
Yep, that too is legal in Canada, as are all the naturally-occurring analogs of THC.
THC is the main psychoactive component of cannabis. It is what gets you "high." CBD does not have this effect.
Delta 8 THC is a minor cannabinoid that is found in cannabis plants. It is similar to THC, but it is less psychoactive, which means that most people find that it gives them a more chilled and relaxing effect.
The Bottom Line
Yes, you can buy CBD oil in Canada legally. The Cannabis Act, which came into effect on October 17, 2018, made it legal to buy, sell, and use cannabis products in Canada. This includes CBD oil. However, there are some restrictions on the sale of CBD oil. For example, it must be sold by a licensed retailer, and it must be labelled correctly.
