The Cannabis Act | What Japanese Nationals in Canada Should Know

Update (September 2026): This article was written in 2018, shortly before recreational cannabis was legalized. The Cannabis Act came into force on October 17, 2018, and adults have been able to buy and use cannabis legally in Canada since then. The British Columbia rules below (minimum age 19, up to 30 grams in public, up to four plants per household) remain in effect as of September 2026. Taking cannabis across Canada’s borders, including to or from Japan, remains illegal.

The first thing you must clearly understand is that Japanese laws and regulations may apply even when the act takes place outside Japan. Through the embassy and consulates, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued warnings to Japanese nationals living in Canada, urging them to obey Japanese law and not to get involved with cannabis, even outside Japan.

*In Japan, the possession and receipt (including purchase) of cannabis, among other acts, are illegal and subject to punishment. Since December 12, 2024, following an amendment of the Cannabis Control Act, cannabis has been regulated as a narcotic under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, and using cannabis is now also a punishable offence.

The Act came into force on October 17, 2018. The main purposes of legalization, including for recreational use, are to “restrict youth access to cannabis,” “cut off a source of funding for organized crime,” and “promote responsible cannabis use,” among others.

The detailed rules on how cannabis is regulated are set by each province, within the overall framework of the law established by the federal government. You therefore need to keep in mind that some things, such as the age of majority (the age at which you can buy cannabis), differ from province to province.
Here we introduce the cannabis laws of British Columbia, where Vancouver is located, based on information published by the BC government.

Laws to Protect Children (Minors)

In British Columbia, you must be 19 or older to buy, possess, use or grow cannabis. Smoking or vaping (using an e-cigarette that holds liquid) cannabis is prohibited in public places frequently used by children, such as parks and schools, because cannabis smoke is harmful to children.

Laws to Protect Health

Cannabis affects brain function regardless of age. In particular, it can harm the brains of people aged 25 and under, whose brains are considered to be still undeveloped or developing. You must recognize that cannabis can harm your health and that its effects vary from person to person.

Laws to Keep Communities Safe

Adults can buy cannabis from government-run or private retail stores or online stores. However, you may possess no more than 30 grams of cannabis at a time in public. The places where you can use cannabis (smoking or vaping) are largely the same as where you can smoke tobacco. However, the local government with jurisdiction over the area can set additional restrictions.

Adults are allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants per household. However, the plants must be grown in a place that is not visible to the public.

Drug-impaired drivers are subject to severe penalties, including fines or licence suspension, and in serious cases, imprisonment.

Crossing the Canadian border with cannabis is illegal, whether you are leaving or entering Canada. This applies regardless of your destination. Do not cross the Canadian border with cannabis.

Also, even within Canada, cannabis laws differ from province to province. You must correctly understand the rules at your destination, such as the age at which adults are allowed to buy and use cannabis and where its use is permitted.
*Rules also differ depending on the purpose of cannabis use (medical or recreational).

What the British Columbia government emphasizes is that people’s views and opinions about cannabis use differ from person to person. With this major undertaking by the Government of Canada, it seems essential that people properly understand the facts and are able to express their opinions openly.

What do you think? Let’s continue to think about this together.