Cannabis Regulation

Licenses are required to grow and process cannabis for commercial use. There are rules that growers must follow to secure their facilities such as installing alarm systems and fencing off growing areas. Employees holding certain positions must have security clearance.

All cannabis must be tracked so there is a record of the amount produced, inventory and sales volume. Cannabis products cannot contain nicotine, caffeine or alcohol.

Cannabis is sold to the public through private retailers overseen by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA). SLGA determines how many retail licenses to issue and the requirements to become a licensed retailer. Communities can decide that they do not want a licensed cannabis retailer in their community.

Licensed retailers can only sell cannabis obtained from a licensed producer. Retailers can only sell to people 19 or older and stores are required to demand proof of age. There is mandatory training for anyone working in a retail cannabis store. Municipalities can use their authority to pass bylaws to determine where licensed cannabis retail stores can be located and to require them to purchase a business licence.

Cannabis and cannabis accessories cannot be sold in vending machines or other self-serve or dispensing devices. Individuals may, however, purchase from licensed retailers online.

There are strict rules about how cannabis can be promoted and packaged. Promotion must be informational or relate to brand preferences. Promotion material and cannabis packaging cannot...

• appeal to youth
• include false, misleading, or deceptive information
• use sponsorship, testimonials, or endorsements
• depict persons, celebrities, characters, or animals
• associate cannabis with a way of life such as one that includes glamour, recreation, excitement, vitality, risk or daring

In Saskatchewan individuals 19 or over can...

• purchase dried cannabis, edibles, extracts or topicals from a licensed retailer
  
• possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis or the equivalent of 30 grams of dried cannabis in the non-dried form (edibles, extracts or topicals) in a public place
• distribute - not sell- up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent of 30 grams of dried cannabis in non-dried form (edibles, extracts or topicals), purchased from a licensed retailer or legally grown, to another person who is also 19 or older
  
• cultivate up to four cannabis plants in their home from a licensed producer of seeds or seedlings
• make cannabis products from cannabis purchased from a licensed retailer for their own use, such as food or drink, in their own home provided that organic solvents are not used

Individuals under 19 cannot possess or distribute any cannabis in Saskatchewan.

Provincial non-criminal penalties apply to people under 19 who possess or distribute any cannabis. Criminal charges can be laid if someone under 18 possesses or distributes more than 5 grams of cannabis.

There are significant fines for minors who commit a cannabis-related offence or for adults who are involved.

Cannabis cannot be used by anyone in...

• vehicles
• public places
• places where there are young people under 19 (schools, daycares etc.)
• rental units if the landlord has rules against the use of cannabis in rental units

Landlords can also prohibit possessing, growing or selling cannabis in a rental unit. Condominium boards may also be allowed to regulate possessing, growing or selling cannabis in condos.

It is a criminal offence to drive if you have a higher concentration of THC in your bloodstream than allowed under the Criminal Code, discussed here.

In addition there are consequences under provincial law for driving if a test of your bodily fluids shows that you have any THC in your system. The police can demand that you take a bodily fluid test if they reasonably suspect you have any drugs in your system.

The consequences under provincial law include immediate roadside suspension of your license and impoundment of your vehicle. You will lose your licence for 3 days for a first offence – this suspension goes up to 90 days after repeated offences. Vehicle impoundments start at 3 days and go up to 14 days for repeated offences. If someone under the age of 16 is in the vehicle, you will lose your licence and your vehicle for 7 days for a first offence. For repeated offences with someone under the age of 16 in the vehicle you will lose your licence for 120 days and have your vehicle impounded for 60 days. You will also be required to attend a mandatory education program.

It is illegal to take cannabis across a Canadian border regardless of whether cannabis use is legal in the country you are visiting.

Provinces can have different rules about things like the age limit for buying or possessing cannabis. If you are thinking about travelling with cannabis or using cannabis in another province find out what the laws are in that province first.