Camping with grass? 4 things you need to know
Is it legal to use cannabis while camping in Canada?
- Parks Canada allows cannabis on private property but not in public areas.
- Campgrounds in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta are mostly weed friendly.
- Keep amounts under 30 grams (unless you have a Therapeutic Use Exemption).
- Smoking in the wrong areas can result in hefty fines.
For Canadians, it’s a rite of passage to dust off the boxes that say “camping” and pack them in the car for a weekend in the woods. Especially in summer; Nature is calling us to take full advantage of the sunshine and warm lakes during these fleeting warm-weather months.
Driving out of town and into the beauty of nature offers instant stress relief, but sometimes you just want a little extra support from that old friend. Even though weed is legal nationwide, there are still some places (and people) who frown on taking a hit and even getting a whiff of weed in public.
baby steps, right?
“Each province has its own set of guidelines that must be followed when consuming cannabis in Canadian parks,” explains Owen Allerton, co-owner of Highland Cannabis, a retailer based in Kitchener, Ontario.
“In general, cannabis use is acceptable at most individual campgrounds and hiking trails in Canada, but regulations vary by province.”
explains Allerton
Here are four things you should know about camping with cannabis in Canada this summer:
You can smoke cannabis at most Parks Canada campgrounds, but not in the common areas
Smoking or consuming weed at a campground booked through Parks Canada is perfectly legal. burn it! This is because Parks Canada considers these registered websites to be private areas; You can think of the designated area as your own yard as you roll up or pack a bowl.
However, shared areas on Parks Canada premises such as washrooms, kitchen shelters, parking lots and streets, national historic sites and playgrounds are cannabis no-go zones.
Additionally, some Parks Canada campgrounds adhere to their own rules and can choose whether or not to allow 4/20-friendly activities, even at registered campgrounds.
It’s similar that some grounds prohibit alcohol at different times of the year “to ensure that all visitors enjoy their stay,” a Parks member told CBC.
Ontario, BC and Alberta have the most weed-friendly campgrounds
It should come as no surprise that Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta top the list of the nation’s most weed-friendly campgrounds. All three provinces have an abundance of retail outlets and stunning campgrounds.
In fact, two-thirds of campgrounds in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario have adopted weed, according to a study by Highland Cannabis, and these three provinces have relatively lax rules when it comes to where to get high and consume weed while camping and hiking.
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In Ontario, you can use cannabis in addition to registered campgrounds in Parks Canada public areas such as: But use in public parks across Ontario is not permitted in public areas (e.g. washrooms) or within 20 meters of a playground.
British Columbia and Alberta follow similar parameters. Day-use areas, registered campgrounds, trails, and backcountry all get the green light to light up, but be aware of fire ratings before venturing into those parts. BC has seen its fair share of devastating wildfires, and you don’t want to be that idiot who starts a fire by carelessly tossing a fag in the woods.
Quebec and the prairie have the least weed-friendly camping options
Much like the prairie, Quebec’s view of weed is “a little strained,” says Allerton. “Although cannabis is legal across the country, in Quebec it is only legal if you purchase it through the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC).”
Given these strict laws, it makes sense that the rules for using cannabis while camping in Quebec are also strict.
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The only place you can smoke cannabis in Quebec is at certain Parks Canada campgrounds while at your registered campground; You may not smoke in any public outdoor area (campsite or otherwise).
Fines for violators of smoking cannabis are steep, ranging from $750 to $2,250 if caught breaking the rules.
You can legally carry 30 grams of dried weed (or the equivalent) at a time
If you stock up on booze for a camping weekend, you can drink as much beer or wine as you like. With cannabis, limits work differently. In Canada, under the Cannabis Act, adults may have up to “30 grams of legal cannabis, dried or equivalent in undried form, in public.”
The “equivalent” will vary and be based on the method of consumption. For example, one gram of dried cannabis is equivalent to 15 grams of edibles, meaning you can legally carry 450 grams of your favorite gummies. Concentrates, on the other hand, are equivalent to 0.25 grams of dried product, so you can have 7.5 grams of solid or liquid concentrate on you at once.
Still, it’s important to note that private campgrounds and different communities have different rules about how much you can take with you and where it can be used. Find out about the community and facilities before you leave to avoid confrontation.
Lisa Feleptchuk
Lisa Felepchuk is an experienced lifestyle editor, writer and digital nomad based in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.
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