Where you can consume

Understand the rules and restrictions about where you can consume cannabis.

On this page

• Consuming cannabis in public
• Consuming cannabis at home
• Rental properties
• Strata corporations
• Vehicles and boats 

Consuming cannabis in public

Adults can generally smoke or vape cannabis in a public place where smoking and vaping tobacco is allowed.

Smoking and vaping cannabis is also allowed in designated smoking areas.

Designated smoking areas must meet certain criteria such as:

• Not substantially enclosed
• Doorways, windows, and air intakes between the building and smoking area are closed while the smoking area is in use. Doorways may be used for entering and exiting

Rules around smoking and vaping vary from community to community. Some communities restrict cannabis use or smoking. Always look up the local rules and bylaws before you consume cannabis.

Smoking or vaping cannabis is not allowed:

• At playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, swimming pools and spray pools. This includes any decks or seating areas associated with these places
• In provincial, regional or municipal parks, except in some designated areas and campsites
• In, on, or near school properties, including:
  • Roads and highways that pass or run alongside schools
  • Sidewalks that pass or run alongside schools
  • Parks and playgrounds on school grounds or adjacent to schools
• Inside public buildings or workplaces, or within six metres of air intakes, windows, and doorways attached to these places
• Within six metres of a bus stop, transit shelter, train station, ferry dock or similar place

Consuming cannabis at home

There are no restrictions for adults using cannabis in privately owned homes.

Rental property owners and strata corporations can restrict or ban non-medical cannabis smoking or growing from their properties.

Adults may also grow cannabis at home, with some restrictions.

Rental properties

Rental property owners may restrict tenants from smoking or growing cannabis. For more information, visit:

• Smoking and cannabis during a tenancy

Quiet enjoyment for tenants

Tenants in B.C. have the right to the quiet enjoyment of their rental unit, which includes being free of excessive smoke or odour.

Tenants concerned about excessive cannabis smoke or odour should contact their landlord. If a resolution through the landlord cannot be found, tenants may seek dispute resolution through:

• The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB)

Strata corporations

Strata corporations can pass bylaws that restrict or ban cannabis smoking or growing. 

Under the Strata Property Act, strata corporations can pass bylaws with a ¾ vote of owners.

The Province's website on strata housing provides more information on strata bylaws and rules.

Vehicles and boats

Getting behind the wheel while impaired by drugs is dangerous and against the law. Learn more about cannabis and driving.

It is illegal to consume cannabis:

• While operating a vehicle or boat, or
• As a passenger in or on a vehicle or boat

It is also against the law to operate a vehicle or boat if you know another person present is consuming cannabis. These general prohibitions apply regardless of whether the vehicle or boat is in motion.

An adult 19+ may consume cannabis in a vehicle if:

• The vehicle is a motor home, camper, or trailer
• It is being used as a temporary or permanent residence, and
• It is parked in an area where camping is allowed, provided it is not a public road or forest service road

An adult 19+ may consume cannabis on a boat if:

• It has permanent sleeping accommodations, cooking facilities, and a toilet,
• It is being used as a temporary or permanent residence, and
• It is moored or anchored

On commercial vessels, adult passengers may consume cannabis if:

• They are a passenger on a commercial boat that allows the consumption of cannabis onboard,
• They have an assigned enclosed room, and
• The cannabis is only consumed in their assigned enclosed room