Cannabis in Surrey
Surrey, one of B.C.'s largest cities, had no legal cannabis stores until August 29, 2025, nearly seven years after legalization. Council now allows a fixed 12 stores, two in each of six town centres, each at least 200 metres from schools, community centres and other cannabis stores. Surrey borders Washington State, and taking any cannabis across that border is illegal.
Why did Surrey go so long without cannabis stores?
When cannabis became legal in October 2018, Surrey kept its bylaw barring cannabis retail, and in early 2019 the city said it wasn't accepting applications. While neighbours such as Delta and New Westminster approved stores, Surrey residents had to buy online or travel to another city.
That changed in April 2024, when council unanimously approved a framework for a limited number of stores. The city ran a call for expressions of interest, received 31, and in November 2024 picked eight operators for twelve locations. Each still needed a rezoning, a city business licence and a provincial licence, and individual applications drew some opposition at council, including from the mayor. The first store opened in Newton on August 29, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 17, 2018 | Legalization; Surrey keeps its ban on cannabis retail |
| January 2019 | City confirms it is not accepting store applications |
| April 2024 | Council unanimously approves a framework for up to 12 stores |
| November 2024 | Eight operators selected from 31 expressions of interest |
| August 2025 | 11 of 12 locations have final rezoning |
| August 29, 2025 | First legal store opens |
How does Surrey regulate cannabis stores?
Surrey is one of the few large Canadian cities with a hard cap. The framework allows two stores in each of six town centres: Whalley/City Centre, Guildford, Fleetwood, Newton, Cloverdale and South Surrey. That means stores are spread evenly across the city rather than clustering on one strip. Every store must also be at least 200 metres from schools, community centres and existing cannabis stores.
Because the cap is set by council, new operators can't simply apply for a fresh location; any expansion would need council to change the framework.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total stores | 12 |
| Per town centre | 2 |
| Town centres | Whalley/City Centre, Guildford, Fleetwood, Newton, Cloverdale, South Surrey |
| Minimum distance | 200 m from schools, community centres, other cannabis stores |
| Approvals | Rezoning, city business licence, provincial licence |
Where can you smoke cannabis in Surrey?
Surrey follows the provincial rules: no smoking or vaping cannabis in municipal parks except designated areas, at playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks or pools, or within 6 metres of doors, windows, air intakes and bus stops (see the B.C. rules). Surrey's own smoking bylaw also covers vaping at transit stops and near building openings. Your own home, subject to strata or lease rules, is the dependable place.
What should visitors to Surrey know?
You must be 19 to buy or use cannabis in B.C. South Surrey sits on the U.S. border, with the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings. Carrying any amount of cannabis into the U.S. is illegal, even though Washington State has legal cannabis, and failing to declare cannabis when returning to Canada is a serious offence. To check a product's contents, see how to read a cannabis label.
