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Cannabis Policy & Resources
Learn how we support the public health approach to non-medical cannabis, which includes helping local governments with their community-based actions.

Cannabis policy & legalization
Since October 17, 2018, as per the provincial Cannabis Control and Licensing Act – Bill 30, adults residing in B.C. who are 19+ years of age are legally able to:
- Carry up to 30 grams of dried non-medical cannabis, or its equivalent, in a public place
- Buy dried or fresh cannabis and cannabis oil from a provincially-licensed retailer
- Grow non-medical cannabis at home, up to a maximum of four cannabis plants per residence
- Possess up to a maximum of 1,000 grams of dried non-medical cannabis, or its equivalent, in a non-public place, such as at your home
- Make cannabis products, such as food and drinks, at home as long as organic solvents are not used to create concentrated products
The possession limits outlined in the Cannabis Act are based on dried cannabis. Equivalents have been developed for other cannabis products to identify what their possession limit would be. As of Oct. 17, 2019, edible cannabis products and concentrates are also legal for sale.
Supporting a public health approach to cannabis
With the legalization of non-medical cannabis, it is important that we respect the philosophy of choice and that we support people to make informed choices.
Like other health authorities, Interior Health supports a public health approach to non-medical cannabis, which includes helping local governments with their community-based actions. This includes making best efforts to reduce public smoking and vaping of cannabis (e.g., strengthening smoke-free bylaws); focusing on land use management that enhances food security; and supporting education and awareness efforts.
Interior Health is focused on:
- Protecting public health and ensuring the safety of our patients and clients.
- Taking care of our staff, physicians, and volunteers by updating policies and procedures to address the impacts of legalization.
- Partnering with provincial and federal governments to:
- Help people, including health-care providers and community leaders, understand the risks of using non-medical cannabis
- Minimize harms associated with its use
Legally sold cannabis is safest
While cannabis is legal in Canada, illegal products continue to be sold and consumed which come with increased health implications.
- Is quality controlled and tested for harmful levels of contaminants
- Is tested for accuracy of THC and CBD levels, so you know exactly what you're buying
- Can be recalled by manufacturers, licence holders or Health Canada if there's a potential safety or quality issue
- Requires a federally-issued license in order to cultivate, process and sell cannabis for both medical and non-medical purposes
- Is not tested or quality controlled and may contain harmful levels of contaminants, including:
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Mould
- Cutting agents
- Bacteria
- Shows levels of THC and CBD that may be unknown, misleading or false
- May be produced and sold using products or practices that could harm you
- Can contain harmful levels of THC, resulting in accidental poisonings, visits to the emergency department and hospitalizations, particularly in children
- Could put you at risk for identity theft and financial fraud
Illegal edible cannabis products can cause serious harm when consumed, especially by children or pets.
Similarly, synthetic cannabis products (also known as “K2” or “Spice”) are psychoactive designer drugs derived of other plant materials and sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids, that when consumed attempt to mimic the effects of cannabis. However, some synthetic cannabinoids are 100x stronger than THC. Importantly, these products do not contain any real cannabis and can mimic the effects of amphetamine, cocaine, or psychedelic drugs, with significant negative side effects that can include:
- High blood pressure
- Blurred vision
- Heart attack, vomiting
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Severe anxiety, paranoia and psychosis
- Death
Because of the similarity to natural cannabis products, it is illegal to produce, buy, or sell synthetic cannabis products.
Any products with flashy packaging, pictures, catchy names, strange THC symbols or that mimic popular name brands are illegal and unregulated, should not be consumed and should be reported to your local law enforcement.
Learn more about how to recognize and identify illegal cannabis products
Information & resources
Explore our cannabis hub for specific information for families, youth, older adults and health professionals.
Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation (Government of Canada)
Bill 30 – 2018: Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (Legislative Assembly of British Columbia)
Cannabis (Cannabis Information | Government of British Columbia)
Canada's Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (CAMH)
Reduce Your Risk: Choose Legal Cannabis (Government of Canada)
Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (Government of Canada)
Cannabis Regulations: Edibles, Extracts & Topicals (Government of Canada)


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