Since October 17, 2018, Canada has legalized national sales and shipping of recreational cannabis under the Cannabis Act. While possession, personal cultivation, and retail sales are governed provincially, shipping is regulated federally. Licensed sellers, licensed producers, and eligible individuals can indeed ship cannabis—but within a strict legal framework.
1. Eligibility to Ship & Receive
- Licensed sellers (provincial retailers or federally licensed producers) may ship cannabis (flower, edibles, extracts, and topicals) across Canada using regulated carriers.
- Individuals may mail home‑grown cannabis or licensed extracts/edibles to other adults in Canada, provided it is purchased from a licensed source or home-cultivated within limit.
- Age verification: Both sender and recipient must be of the Canadian legal age—19 in most provinces, 18 in Alberta, and 21 in Quebec.
2. Permissible Products & Quantity Limits
| Product Type | Maximum Per Shipment |
|---|---|
| Recreational cannabis | 30 g of dried cannabis or equivalent |
| Medical cannabis | Up to 30× the patient’s daily prescription (e.g., 60 g for 2 g/day) |
| Cannabis plants | Up to 4 plants per household; not allowed in Manitoba or Quebec |
| Cannabis seeds | No national limit—but banned in Manitoba/Quebec |
| Extracts, edibles, topicals | Treated same as dried flower—up to 30 g equivalent |
Cross-border shipping is strictly illegal. Any cannabis leaving Canada violates both Canadian and foreign laws, even where cannabis is legal abroad.
3. Packaging & Carrier Requirements
- Carrier choice: Shipment must use tracked delivery from an approved service (Canada Post, private courier).
- Canada Post regulations:
- Sender must be a licensed seller.
- Final package weight must be at least 50 g (inner + outer) to qualify.
- Recipient must provide Proof of Age and signature on delivery; ID verification if under 30.
- Inner packaging (for all carriers) must be:
- Odour‑resistant (sealed plastic, vacuum pouch),
- Tamper‑evident,
- Leak‑proof.
- Outer packaging should be:
- Plain and unbranded,
- Discreet, with no cannabis logos or wording,
- Sufficient to control odour.
4. Provincial Variations & Restrictions
Provinces may impose stricter rules:
- Quebec & Manitoba: No shipping of plants or seeds.
- Age of majority: Varies (21 in Quebec, 18 in Alberta, 19 elsewhere) .
- Some provinces may restrict delivery to regulated suppliers or curb-home-version transfers.
5. Import/Export & Border Rules
- Canada permits import/export of cannabis exclusively for medical, scientific, or industrial purposes and only with proper Health Canada permits.
- Recreational imports or exports without permits are illegal.
- Cross-border travel with cannabis, even to legal U.S. states, is a criminal offence.
Quick Summary
Canada’s cannabis shipping system balances nationwide legalization with tight regulatory oversight:
- Licensed sellers, medical patients, or home growers can ship within the country under strict limits.
- Quality packaging (tracked, odour‑sealed, tamper‑resistant) and verified delivery (age checks, signature) are mandatory.
- Quantity caps, provincial restrictions (like no plants in Quebec/Manitoba), and discreet containers uphold safety.
- No international shipping or border crossing without legal permits.
Referenced Links
- Health Canada’s Cannabis Act and regulations on domestic shipping and licensed delivery.
- Canada Post’s guidelines on packaging, proof‑of‑age, signature, and minimum weight for legal shipments.
- Health Canada’s import/export permit guide for medical or scientific cannabis transfers.
- CBSA’s border policy reminder: “Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out.”
For licensed businesses, always consult the full Cannabis Regulations (SOR/2018‑144, section 291), and check provincial rules regularly for updates.
By adhering to these guidelines, Canadians and licensed retailers can confidently ship cannabis safely and legally—without venturing beyond the law.