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B.C.'s approach to legalization

Last updated on April 20, 2026

B.C. monitors how cannabis policy is working and makes evidence-informed decisions to evolve policies in support of a strong, diverse, and safe legal sector.

B.C.’s priorities for cannabis legalization include:

  • Ensuring the health and safety of people in B.C.
  • Reducing the size and influence of the illicit market
  • Protecting children and youth
  • Supporting economic development
  • Stopping cannabis-impaired driving

Learn more about B.C.'s cannabis legislation and work to monitor provincial policies.

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Legislation and regulations

Non-medical cannabis became legal in Canada on October 17, 2018.

Health Canada oversees the federal Cannabis Act.

In B.C., additional rules and regulations for legalization are provided under the:

The Motor Vehicle Act gives police the tools to remove cannabis-impaired drivers from the road. Learn more about cannabis and driving.

Do you know the rules?

Learn more about where you can consume and possession and purchasing limits before you use or buy cannabis in B.C. 

Monitoring cannabis in B.C.

The regulated cannabis sector has grown to support over 5000 direct jobs across B.C., and in 2024 contributed $1.7 billion to B.C.’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Monitoring and evaluating the impacts of cannabis in B.C. remains crucial to informing provincial policy and regulation in this evolving sector. 

The BC Cannabis Use Survey monitors shifts in cannabis use, perceptions, and behaviours, and supports evaluation of progress on B.C.’s goals for legalized cannabis.

The 2025 Survey is the third iteration, following versions conducted in 2021 and in 2018 prior to legalization. Findings provide important insights for guiding the development of a strong regulated sector that promotes public health, safety, and responsible cannabis use.

B.C. Cannabis Legal Market Strategy

While most cannabis purchased in British Columbia comes from regulated sources, we know the illicit cannabis market continues to operate, unfairly undermining legal businesses and putting the health and safety of our communities at risk.

B.C.'s Cannabis Legal Market Strategy boosts the province's $1.7-billion cannabis sector by targeting the illicit market through a cross-government plan and actions, with collaboration led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

The Strategy aims to increase legal market capture to 80% by 2028, strengthen legal cannabis businesses across the supply chain, increase consumer awareness and build trusted government-to-government relationships. The Strategy operates with three key goals with associated actions and outcomes monitoring.

Goal 1:

Illicit cannabis is hard to find, unappealing, and unprofitable to sell.

Actions include:

  • Research on consumer choice and influences
  • Targeted education to deter illicit purchasing (especially online)
  • Enforcement and education

Goal 2:

The legal cannabis industry contributes to economic growth in B.C.

Actions include:

  • Provincial changes to improve sales channels and legal access
  • Increased access to government support and streamline regulations (federal and provincial)

Goal 3:

Cannabis is governed collaboratively with Indigenous governments.

Actions include:

Learn more

Download the full strategy (PDF, 7MB)