Crowded stores, no parking space and busy streets — the holiday shopping rush can make finding the perfect cannabis gift a hassle. Online shopping can offer a reprieve from the hectic rush, but it’s crucial to understand the laws and regulations before sending a bit of bud to a loved one.

Can I buy weed for someone in another province?

“Ontario residents are not allowed to order recreational cannabis online from another province or territory.”

Cannabis sales regulations, including age restrictions and online sales, are handled at the provincial level, as per The Cannabis Act.

“Ontario residents are not allowed to order recreational cannabis online from another province or territory,” Brian Gray, a spokesperson with the Ministry of the Attorney General in Ontario wrote in an email. “Other provinces and territories have similar restrictions.”

For this reason, products purchased on regulated sites can only be shipped within the province or territory. So unless you have friends or family in the province you are ordering from, you won’t be able to cross-border shop for cannabis. It is legal to mail the cannabis yourself.

“A maximum of 30 g of dried, recreational cannabis can be shared with other adults, including by mail,” Gray added.

The legal age to buy cannabis is 19 years old in every province and territory aside from Quebec (21 years old) and Alberta (18 years old).

Sales in each province and territory differ

Each legal government cannabis site has slightly different wording but all sites note that products can only be sent within the province or territory and a person with government-issued ID must receive the order. iStock / Getty Images Plus

Nova Scotia won’t allow shoppers access to NSLC (Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation) Cannabis site without first visiting a store and presenting a valid identification to receive an online access code.

New Brunswick allows visitors to pursue online and send cannabis to different addresses within the province, the Cannabis NB site explains. “By law, Cannabis NB is only permitted to sell cannabis and accessories within the Province of New Brunswick. If you purchase cannabis or accessories online, your billing address can be from outside of New Brunswick, but your shipping address must be located within the Province,” the fact section reads.

Alberta appears to be mocking their neighbours to the east. “We ship all over Alberta. Sorry, Saskatchewan – you’re out of luck,” the fact page reads.

Manitoba’s online sales are handled by private licensed stores. In Nunavut, online shopping is relegated to two producers — Tweed and Vertical Cannabis. Each legal government cannabis site has slightly different wording but all sites note that products can only be sent within the province or territory and a person with government-issued ID must receive the order.

Last-minute shoppers

For shoppers who leave purchases until the last minute, check the shipping times before you order. The OCS (Ontario Cannabis Store) offers same day and next-day shipping for customers in Toronto. “If you live in Toronto, you may have the option of having your order delivered the same day you place it,” the site reads. However, those living in rural areas in Ontario, delivery can take up to 10 business days.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, it can take up to seven days just to process the order.

Cross-Canada cannabis gift ideas

For shoppers who leave purchases until the last minute, check the  shipping times before you order. Etsy

Alberta

After a stressful holiday season, a dose of Sundial Calm Zen Berry ($32.99) may prove to be soothing. Sundial is in the “Alberta’s own” section on the province’s online shop, so this is a great way to buy local. Zen Berry is described as an indica-dominant, mid-THC hybrid strain. “Its sweet flavour is tempered with the slightest hint of earth.”

Ontario

The modern Malua Concrete Jar ($35) is a beautiful gift choice for the elegant person on your list. The jar has a walnut lid for air-tight storage and a discrete look to fit into modern décor. The container has split-storage to keep two strains separate with built-in markings to remember what is inside.

New Brunswick

These Luky 8 Candles ($11.99) are a uniquely New Brunswick gift, hand-poured right in the province. These are fast-acting, odour-neutralising candles, and these beauties are free of toxins and safe for use around people and pets.

British Columbia

Add a bit of bliss to the holidays with B.C.’s own Blissco Pur Dew CBD oil ($79.99). The oil is a new product on the British Columbia site. Made from cannabis oil and MCT (Medium Chain Triglyceride) carrier oil with Blissco’s CO2 extraction method ensuring the retention of terpenes. With 750 mg of CBD per bottle, this could be the perfect gift to bliss-out on.

Newfoundland and Labrador

For the do-it-yourself person on your list, Newfoundland and Labrador offer cannabis plants. Eve & Co. clone plants ($39.99) come in four different varieties — The Optimist, Free Spirit, Boss, and Advocate. The THC and CBD percentage are listed for each plant. All clones are cut to order and take approximately two weeks to grow before they are ready for their new home.

PEI

The Canadian Lumber Greens rolling paper ($2.04) would make a colourful stocking stuffer. These one-and-a-quarter wide papers include filter tips. They are made with natural, unbleached and untreated hemp paper, and the red and green packaging makes these papers a festive choice for the holidays.