Nearly one in five people in Quebec consume cannabis. However, growing it at home is not allowed, except for medical reasons.
In 2018, the federal government of Canada legalized cannabis. But it’s important to note that this did not mean growing cannabis at home was automatically legal in all provinces.
The federal government introduced nationwide rules that allow citizens to grow up to four cannabis plants at home.
But each province can set its own rules, as long as they don’t contradict the federal ones. So, the Quebec government decided to ban people from growing cannabis at home. The Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that the prohibition in Quebec is constitutional since its goal is to protect public health and safety, areas that are the province’s responsibility.
So, if you’re 21 or older, it’s legal to buy and possess cannabis, but it’s forbidden to have a cannabis plant or to grow one.
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Did you know? Although the Canadian government legalized growing cannabis at home, Quebec banned it in 2018. In 2019, a citizen challenged this ban, and the Superior Court sided with them. The Court of Appeal, however, overturned that decision. The case reached the Supreme Court in April 2023, which confirmed the Quebec government’s right to ban home cultivation. Today, growing cannabis at home is still illegal in Quebec and can lead to a fine. |
Is growing cannabis at home a crime?
Unlike other provinces, Quebec makes it a criminal offense to grow four cannabis plants or less at home unless you have a valid medical reason. Despite the federal government decriminalizing it, in Quebec this could still be considered an illicit possession of cannabis. Offenders could face up to five years in jail.
Also, under the Cannabis Regulation Act, you could be fined $250 to $750 for growing four or fewer cannabis plants at home in Quebec. If you repeat the offence, the fine is doubled!
In addition, growing five cannabis plants or more (without authorization) is considered a crime nationwide and can lead to prosecution.
| ERRATUM In a former version, we mentioned that growing four cannabis plants or less in Quebec is not considered a criminal offense and could only lead up to a fine of $250 to $750. We apologize for the confusion. |