Country profile · Americas
Canada
National adult-use legalisation since October 2018 under the Cannabis Act, with provincially run retail.
Adult-useLegalAdults may lawfully possess cannabis under national law (the United States is counted at state level).
MedicalEstablishedA functioning prescription market with domestic or imported supply.
RegionAmericas
Last reviewedStatuses reviewed quarterly by our newsroom
The law in brief
National adult-use legalisation since October 2018 under the Cannabis Act, with provincially run retail. Medical access dates to 2001 and Canada is the largest exporter of medical cannabis to Europe.
Our classification for Canada: adult use legal, medical cannabis established.
Adult-use: LegalAdults may lawfully possess cannabis under national law (the United States is counted at state level).
Medical: EstablishedA functioning prescription market with domestic or imported supply.
Key dates and latest developments
Data is Becoming Cannabis’ Most Valuable Crop
Business
Isreal Reopens Canadian Cannabis Dumping Case, This Time With a Route Around Its Finance Minister
International Regulation
How Countries Legalise Cannabis Matters More Than Whether They Do, Lancet Review Finds
International Regulation
European Cannabis Insights Summit 2026: Patients & Politics Post-Reclassification
Data & Analysis
