Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Canada law
Cannabis laws in Quebec City follow Canada’s national law. The rules here are set by the broader jurisdiction, and city-level differences are uncommon.
Recreational cannabis is fully legal for adults (typically 19+, varying slightly by province). Medical cannabis is integrated into the regulated system. Possession up to 30 grams in public is permitted, with licensed retail sales available.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Legal (adults 19+)
- Medical: Legal
- Possession: Up to 30g public permitted
- Buying/Selling: Legal from licensed stores
- Tourists: Can purchase if meeting age requirements
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
Weed was illegal in Québec when this was written. Getting caught smoking in public usually meant losing the joint, sometimes getting searched and being told to take it out of sight.
Rules on adult personal possession have changed since this account. See Marijuana Laws.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Three or four friendly conversations could get you somewhere in good weather. In the upper town, Place d’Youville was one spot, though police were paying more attention to it. The Plains of Abraham had room to walk and plenty of chances to catch the smell. Officers were easier to see there, too. Around the walls of Old Québec and the city parks you might run into somebody rolling a joint.
On June 24, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day brought crowds estimated at 200,000–350,000 to the area. People smoked and drank while bands played the main stage, sometimes until sunrise.
Québec City marijuana prices
- About C$10 for 1 g
- C$160–230 for 28 g, an ounce of premium weed
Types of Marijuana
Québec Gold had a reputation for being strong. Even the street weed was generally rated well. The usual words were “pot,” “weed” or “marijuana.” Some people also knew beu, ganja or herbe à clown.
More Information
January was a different story: cold, fog, rain and very few people on the street. A visitor and some European backpackers struck out. A couple of locals wearing pot-leaf gear got sketched out when asked, although most were friendly and offered suggestions. In bad weather, the leads in Old Québec were down to maybe a McDonald’s or the bars downtown.
At a head shop by the old wall, a worker said to come back at nine. Other plans got in the way. The next day, a different worker asked, “Looking for something to smoke?” then said, “No, no,” and looked uncomfortable. No weed came of it. In better weather the parks in Old or New Québec were a likelier bet.