Recreational cannabis has been legalized officially in Canada, this means some provinces will allow for home growing. However, there are certain laws in place to control the production, distribution, possession, and sale of cannabis in the various provinces of Canada.

Under the Cannabis Act, adults can cultivate up to 4 cannabis plants per household. This limit is not based on the number of people, so whether you live with family members or alone you are only allowed to grow four plants. Here are the recommended security and safety measures for growing cannabis in Canada.

General Security and Safety Recommendation for Growing

It is your responsibility under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) to ensure that all cannabis products or possession are secure and other people can’t access them. Take measures so that people don’t know you are producing or growing marijuana for your own medical purposes. So ensure the plants can’t be seen from outside of your house or yard and also limit marijuana smells coming from the production site.

Outdoor Production

When producing in an outdoor setting, the boundary of the land you are producing from should not have any common points with a boundary of the land where a public playground, school, and other public place persons under the age of 18 frequent. You can also install a tall fence with either an alarm system or a locking gate to help keep the area secure.

Indoor Production

When growing indoors, ensure there is enough ventilation to remove excess humidity and moisture to stop the build-up of mold in the building or on the plants. If you want to change your electrical system or the structure of your home, it is important to seek the advice of a licensed professional so you are in compliance with your provincial and municipal building codes.

Storage

You should consider installing strong locks on the doors to the areas where you store or produce cannabis or install an alarm or home monitoring system. You should ensure you store your cannabis and cannabis products in childproof containers if you have children to avoid accidental ingestion.

Health Precautions

If you will use chemicals such as pesticides, it is important to ensure they are safe for use on a plant. You are not permitted to use any organic solvent such as benzene, butane, chloride, methyl, or chlorinated hydrocarbons when making cannabis products such as butter or oil.

How Much Can You Keep

You must destroy any excess cannabis you produce that is more than you are authorized to store or process to stay within the authorized possession and/or storage limit all the time. A great way to dispose of excess cannabis is to blend it with your cat litter to mask the odor before placing it in your regular garbage.

Cannabis Growing Laws by Province or Territory in Canada

Although the federal Cannabis Act allows for the legal use of cannabis, the various territories and provinces are to enact regulations and restrictions regarding the production, distribution, sale, and use of cannabis.