Learn about cannabis

We've developed laws to regulate distributing, selling, possessing, consuming and growing cannabis for personal use. Watch our video on the 10 things you need to know about cannabis law.

Check with your local municipal government to learn more about whether they've introduced cannabis-related bylaws.

Cannabis research and data

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance in the world and the most prevalent substance used in Canada.

You can find recent cannabis research and data on the Statistics Canada website.

Travelling with cannabis

Cannabis legalization does not mean it's legal to transport cannabis to other jurisdictions. Check the laws of where you're travelling before transporting cannabis from the Yukon to another jurisdiction.

Glossary of cannabis terms

Cannabis

Products derived from the flowers, resins and leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant, Cannabis indica plant or hybrids of the two. Products include dried flowers in the form of “weed,” “pot” or “bud," hashish, hash oil, tinctures and other concentrates such as “dabs” or “shatter.”

Cannabis or marijuana

"Cannabis” describes cannabis products in general and "marijuana” refers to the dried flowers of the cannabis plant.

Cannabis use

Cannabis can be used for medical, recreational, industrial or spiritual purposes.

Medical cannabis

Cannabis products prescribed by a healthcare practitioner to treat a specific medical condition.

Recreational cannabis

Using cannabis products for a “high". The mental and physical effects can include changes in perception and a heightened mood.

THC

THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis known as the “high".

Cannabis consumption

Cannabis can be consumed in the following ways:

• Smoking: Inhaling smoke from joints (paper-wrapped), blunts (tobacco-wrapped), pipes or bongs
• Vaporizing: Inhaling the vapour from heated cannabis using a vaporizer, “vape” pen or e-cigarette
• Edibles: Cannabis can be added to a variety of foods, such as brownies, cookies and candies
• Drinks: Cannabis extracts can be added to any beverage
• Dabbing: Heating cannabis concentrates on a hot surface and inhaling the smoke
• Other methods include tinctures taken orally and lotions applied directly to the skin

You must be at least 19 years of age to buy and use cannabis in the Yukon. This is also the minimum age to buy and consume alcohol.

Cannabis retail locations

You can find a list of licensed retailers ​in the Retail and distribution section.

Possessing cannabis in public for personal use

• You must be at least 19 years of age.
• You can buy up to 30 grams of dried cannabis per purchase. This is the legal amount a person can have in their possession while in public.

Using cannabis for personal use

• You must be at least 19 years of age to consume cannabis.
• Cannabis must be consumed in:
  • a private residence and adjoining property; or
  • another location if it's permitted by regulations.
• Cannabis consumed must be legally obtained.

You cannot consume cannabis by inhaling smoke or vapour in:

• the presence of health or social service providers;
• the presence of another person defined in regulations who does not want to be exposed to smoking or vaping;
• an enclosed space that is a daycare, pre-school or other licensed child care home (it does not matter whether children are present or not); and
• any group-living facility as defined by the Smoke-Free Places Act.

Using cannabis in the workplace

If you’re impaired because you’ve used cannabis or any other substance, it’s illegal for you to be at work. If your impairment is the result of the medical use of cannabis or another substance, talk to your employer. You may be eligible for an accommodation, depending on how safety-sensitive your job is.

Ask your employer about the impairment policy for your workplace. If there is not an impairment policy, ask your employer to establish one and train you and your fellow workers on it.

Landlord and tenant rights

Landlords and tenants should talk about cannabis. Make sure you understand and agree to the rules. Contact the Residential Tenancies Office to apply for a dispute resolution if there is a disagreement.

Now that cannabis is legal:

• Landlords can use tenancy agreements to restrict cannabis use and growth.
• Smoking cannabis is allowed in residences where smoking is currently permitted. There may be some exceptions. The Smoke Free Places Act and the Cannabis Control and Regulations Act have details about specific exceptions and conditions.

Tenancy agreements that include “no smoking” rules include cannabis. The landlord and tenant can agree in writing if the "no smoking" rule does not include cannabis.

This information sheet provides more details for landlord and tenants on cannabis and residential tenancies.

Condominiums

Condominium corporations can make rules that restrict smoking and growing cannabis.

Condo corporations should discuss cannabis with condo owners and make sure everyone understands the rules.

Growing cannabis

Personal use

People who are at least 19 years of age can grow up to 4 cannabis plants for personal use.

• You can only grow plants from legally obtained seeds or plant material.
• You can only grow these plants at your private residence and adjoining property.
• There's a limit of 4 plants per household, not per person.

Commercial use

Find out how to apply to be a licensed cannabis producer.

Provide youth with facts about the effects of cannabis so they can make informed decisions about using it. Start talking with your kids when they are between 11 and 15 years old. Ask them what they know about cannabis and how their friends are talking about it.

If you think your kids are using cannabis or other drugs, identify the reason why they might be using or starting to self-medicate.

Yukon youth cannabis use

You can find the latest data in the Health Indicator Collection section of the Cannabis Yukon annual report.

Impaired driving is illegal. It does not matter if it's due to alcohol or drugs.

Drug-impaired driving offences are currently, and will continue to be, addressed through the:

• Criminal Code of Canada; and
• Yukon Motor Vehicles Act and Regulations.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon are both updating their respective legislation to further address drug-impaired driving.

The RCMP are the enforcement authority for all types of impaired driving.

Using cannabis can:

• make you feel relaxed and happy, and it's just as likely to make you feel anxious and paranoid;
• decrease your ability to concentrate, remember, think and make decisions (if your use begins early and is frequent, these effects can be long-term);
• affect the part of your brain responsible for decision making, social behaviour and personality;
• slow your reaction time and affect your ability to drive; and
• impair your ability to perform high-speed activities such as biking, skiing or playing sports.

Impairment can last for more than 24 hours after use. This is well after other effects have faded.

Short-term and long-term risks

We have some understanding of short-term risks of cannabis use, such as its effects on memory, attention and psychomotor function. 

Our knowledge of long-term risks of cannabis use is limited. This is because cannabis use has been prohibited so there has not been time to undertake any comprehensive studies. Long-term risks may include permanent harm to mental functioning, risks of depression and anxiety disorders.

Cannabis can be addictive. About 1 in 11 people who use cannabis will become addicted. That risk rises to about 1 in 6 for people who started using cannabis as a teen.

Risks to children and youth

Your brain is not fully developed until your mid-20s. Using cannabis before you’re 25 can lead to permanent cognitive problems and can increase the risk of development issues.

Risks associated with consuming cannabis

Consuming cannabis can increase health risks depending on the potency of the product and how often you use it.

Driving while impaired by cannabis is associated with an increased risk of accidents and fatalities.

Using cannabis with alcohol may pose an incremental risk for impaired driving and may damage your lungs, making it harder to breathe and increasing the risk of chronic lung disease. It may also increase your risk of lung cancer, especially if you already smoke tobacco.  

• Mixing cannabis and alcohol can have unpredictable effects card
• 10 ways to reduce risks to your health when using cannabis

Risks to vulnerable populations

The more you use cannabis, the higher your chances are of developing schizophrenia and other psychoses. It can also lead to social anxiety and paranoia.

Using cannabis frequently during pregnancy may lead to a lower birth weight of the baby and affect the development and learning skills of your child. Learn more by visiting the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada website.

Risks related to interactions with the illegal cannabis market

Using unsafe products that are illegally produced can expose people to violence and exposure to more harmful and illegal substances. Additional risks include arrest, a criminal record or imprisonment. 

Safer ways to use cannabis

It’s best to wait until you are over 25 to avoid any risk of developmental delays. Consider non-smoking methods and choose cannabis with lower THC levels. Do not use cannabis every day and do not drive while high.

If you choose to consume cannabis – start low, go slow

Start with a low amount of THC and wait to feel the effects before you take more. This will help minimize health effects and the risks of overconsumption. Cannabis can be consumed in different ways. 2 common ways are inhalation (smoking or vaping) and ingestion (eating or drinking). Each way carries different health and safety risks.

Inhalation: 

• Start with 1 or 2 puffs of a vape or joint with 10% (100 milligrams per gram) or less THC.
• Effects felt in seconds to minutes.
• It can take up to 30 minutes to feel the full effects.

Ingestion:

• Look for products that contain 2.5 milligrams of THC or less.
• Effects felt within 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• It can take up to 4 hours to feel the full effects.

Other resources

Take care with cannabis
Safe cannabis storage