Learn About Laws

Key Points: 

• Minimum age: 19 years old (same as alcohol) 
• Age verification: You will be required to show a valid ID if you appear to be a minor
• Maximum public possession: 30 grams of dried cannabis or an equivalent amount in other forms (edibles, concentrates, etc.) 
• Possession by minors: Illegal
• Public consumption: Prohibited in all public places, including parks, streets, and sidewalks. 
• Private consumption: Permitted in your own residence, but not in common areas of multi-unit like hallways or balconies. Consumption is also allowed in your campsite at Provincial, Regional and Federal parks.
• Driving under the influence: Illegal, with penalties similar to driving drunk. 
• Purchase: Only authorized retail stores can sell cannabis. 
• Responsible purchasing: Start with low doses and wait for the effects to kick in before consuming more. 
• If a customer appears intoxicated, budtenders must refrain from selling cannabis and may need to assist the individual in finding alternative transportation or support. 
• Adults aged 19 and older to grow up to four cannabis plants per household. 

Legalization: 

• Saskatchewan legalized recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older on October 17, 2018, 
• Cannabis is regulated by Health Canada and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), who ensure compliance with provincial laws and regulations.

Age Limit: 

• The legal age to purchase and consume cannabis in Saskatchewan is 19 years old. Minors are strictly prohibited from accessing cannabis or related advertising, both in retail stores and online. 
• Cannabis retailers are required to demand proof of age if the customer appears to be minor on all transactions involving cannabis and cannabis accessories, including deliveries. 

Identification: 

• Valid government-issued photo ID with a date of birth is required for all customers, regardless of age. Acceptable forms of ID include driver’s license, passport, and other government-issued IDs. 
• Customers who appear to be under 25 years old must provide proof of age before a sale is completed. 

Maximum Quantity Sold: 

• In a single transaction, a cannabis retail stores may sell no more than 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent, to a retail customer. 
• Additionally, in a single transaction, a cannabis stores may sell no more than 4 cannabis plants to a customer. 

• The equivalency of 1 gram of dried cannabis is determined as follows: 5 grams of fresh cannabis, 15 grams of solids containing cannabis, 70 grams of non-solids containing cannabis, 0.25 grams of cannabis concentrates, 570 grams of cannabis beverages, or 1 cannabis plant seed 

Note: Individuals can possess a maximum of 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent in other forms in public spaces.

Consumption: 

• Consumption of cannabis is prohibited in public places, including parks, streets, and public transportation. Consumption while driving or operating machinery is also illegal. 
• Cannabis consumption is allowed in private residences but not in common areas of multi-unit apartments. 
• In Parks Canada’s campgrounds, cannabis consumption will be limited to a visitor’s campsite (with a valid camping permit). It’s important to note that public consumption is not permitted in common areas within campgrounds (e.g. playgrounds, kitchen shelters, washrooms, trails, roads). This also includes Provincial, Regional and Federal Parks.

Product Offerings and Excise Stamps: 

• Only cannabis products purchased from licensed Saskatchewan wholesalers can be sold in retail stores.  
• Cannabis products sold through licensed retailers must be affixed with excise stamps issued by the provincial government. 
• These excise stamps serve as a form of taxation and regulatory control, indicating that the products have been legally produced and sold within the province. 
• Excise stamps are typically affixed to the packaging of cannabis products, such as dried flower, pre-rolled joints, edibles, concentrates, and extracts. However, not all cannabis products require an excise stamp – low-THC cannabis products, prescription cannabis drugs, and products intended for export are among those that are exempt. 
• Customers can verify the authenticity of excise stamps on cannabis products by checking for specific security features, such as holographic elements or unique serial numbers.

Decode the security features on Saskatchewan’s cannabis excise stamp to ensure product authenticity and protect yourself from illegal counterfeits.

Budtender Laws: 

• Budtenders must complete CannaSell certification, which covers cannabis legislation, responsible sales practices, and product knowledge. They are expected to promote responsible cannabis use and advise customers on potential risks. 
• Budtenders have the right to refuse sale to customers for various reasons, including intoxication, exceeding purchase limits, or suspicious behavior. 
• Budtenders may not definitively know if a customer has consumed an intoxicating substance but must assess if a customer appears intoxicated and refrain from selling cannabis if so. 

Delivery: 

• Delivery orders should be processed from the retail stores or an approved storage facility listed on the permit. 
• Deliveries cannot be completed if the recipient is intoxicated or appears to be under 19 years old. Minors cannot participate in any aspect of delivery, and cannabis must be packaged to be non-visible. Additionally, ID is required for delivery, unless it’s a common carrier, in which case you will be required to show a valid ID if you appear to be under 25 years old.