Canada legalized marijuana and CBD on October 17, 2018. The Cannabis Act in Canada covers both cannabis and CBD, and they are both regulated in the same manner.
Any consumer in Canada over the legal age of the majority in their province can purchase CBD in Canada online or from a local licensed dispensary without a prescription.
The legal laws surrounding cannabis in Canada also apply to CBD, making it difficult for other areas in the world, such as the USA, to operate here.
We expect this to change in the future as more and more of the United States gets on board with marijuana legalization.
This article will explore everything there is to know about buying CBD in Canada, and how to find the best products.
Regulations on buying CBD in Canada
The regulation of buying CBD in Canada in the Cannabis Act states that only licensed CBD companies can extract, produce, and sell CBD.
Here in Canada, it doesn't matter whether the CBD product has THC in it or not; the same rules apply. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid in Canada that will not produce a high, unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
Getting a license to sell cannabis and CBD is a complicated process that can cost upwards of $250K to get started, and the approved application time can take up to one year.
Legal fees, application fees, and the lengthy application process deter many CBD companies elsewhere in the world from even attempting to get licensed here; this is why you don't see many international brands that ship here.
Do you need a prescription to buy CBD oil in Canada?
No, you don't need a prescription to buy CBD in Canada. CBD is legal in Canada as of 2018 and can be purchased online or from a legal dispensary.
How to buy CBD in Canada
Buying CBD in Canada can be done in one of two ways. It is available for purchase at both a legal local dispensary or you can shop online for it. To shop online for Canadian CBD, you'll need a credit card or a Canadian bank account set up for E-transfer.
Buying CBD online in Canada
This is by far the easiest way to go about purchasing CBD oil and other CBD products in Canada. It is as simple as finding a reputable company, going on to their website, selecting the products you want, and waiting for them to be delivered.
Any reputable company should have third-party testing done on their products (COA), use organically grown hemp, and have good reviews surrounding both the company and products.
There are many benefits of buying CBD oil online. There is no travelling to the store, waiting in lines, it ships directly to your door, and often there are better deals to be had.
Many companies offer promotional sales and coupon codes online year-round for their online customers. You won't see these kinds of deals in a storefront. Shipping times are generally very short, 2-5 days.
Buying CBD in a dispensary in Canada
Numerous dispensaries have been established in almost every major Canadian city, and a quick google search for cannabis and CBD dispensaries in your location will tell you the closest ones.
The benefits of buying from a local dispensary are seeing the product in person and talking with an actual person about any questions or concerns you may have about it. You'll also have the product on the same day.
The downsides to buying your CBD products from the dispensary are that they often carry a few items from a company and not the whole product line. To get full access to every product, you'll have to head online.
The biggest advantage to buying CBD online in Canada vs buying it in-store is the sheer variety that the online companies have to offer. Buying online is the recommended way to go.
Tips for buying CBD online in Canada
- Buy CBD from 100% Canadian CBD companies only
- Make sure the products are third party tested
- Read reviews and verify the company is legitimate before making a purchase
- Shop around to find good deals and utilize coupon codes like these to save money
- Don't buy on looks alone - a great looking label isn't a guarantee of a great product - read the COA (certificate of analysis)
Can I cross the Canadian border with CBD?
It is illegal to transport any cannabis product over the Canada/USA border, including CBD. This is because CBD is regulated in Canada the same as cannabis. Even if the state that you're travelling to has legalized, it doesn't matter. It is regulated at the federal level at the border.
The same applies when travelling to any country other than the United States. Even if the country has legalized it, it is still illegal to cross the Canadian border with CBD or cannabis.
The fines and potential jail time are not worth the risk of trying to hide it and getting caught. If you are travelling to another country and want to use CBD, do your research ahead of time and find a reputable CBD company to buy from there, and leave it when you return home to Canada.
What CBD products are available to buy in Canada?
Canada has a great CBD market, which includes many different types of CBD products. When shopping online, you're sure to find whatever you are looking for.
- CBD oils/tinctures
- CBD gummies
- CBD capsules
- CBD topicals (lotions, creams, salves)
- CBD vapes
- CBD patches
- CBD isolate/distillate
- CBD for pets
- CBD beauty products
How to choose a good CBD company online in Canada
There are a few rules to follow if you plan on buying CBD oil online in Canada. Follow these tips to ensure the company that you are buying from is legit and follows good manufacturing and selling processes.
Make sure the company is located in Canada
With the popularity of CBD skyrocketing in the past few years, numerous companies have popped up online. With this comes shady sellers who are only trying to make a buck and often sell products containing no CBD. International sellers have capitalized on this, so it is important to establish that the company you're buying from is 100% owned and operated in Canada.
Third party testing and published lab reports
This is one of the most important parts of buying CBD products in Canada online. These tests, called COA's (certificate of analysis), detail the cannabinoid content, terpenes, and any toxin, pesticides, heavy metals, and any other potentially harmful chemicals.
A third-party lab must do these reports, not the company itself, as it is very easy to fake an online report.
Choose CBD products made with organically grown hemp
While it is growing, the hemp plant can suck up any potentially harmful chemicals from the soil, water, and air around it. Good CBD products start with organically grown hemp, which is grown without the use of pesticides.
Research the company and read reviews
Research the companies that you are interested in online, and read the reviews. Legitimate CBD companies will have good reviews that detail both the products and the company itself.
Final thoughts on buying CBD in Canada
Whether you're looking for CBD to help treat anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or stress, you're sure to find what you're looking for from a dispensary or online.
The legalization of CBD in Canada and marijuana has made Canada one of the best places to be in terms of being able to buy these types of products. There is a ton of variety of CBD products available online, and you don't need a prescription to buy.