Cannabis rules in Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia you have to be 19 to buy, possess, grow or use cannabis. You can smoke it outdoors where tobacco smoking is allowed, but not on provincial beaches, in provincial parks (outside a rented campsite) or near playgrounds and trails. Adults can grow four plants per household, and the government-owned NSLC is the only legal seller, in stores and online.
What is the legal age for cannabis in Nova Scotia?
The legal age is 19 to use, buy, grow or possess cannabis. Anyone under 19 caught with cannabis has it seized and faces a fine of at least $250, and selling or giving cannabis to someone under 19 can bring a fine of up to $10,000.
Nova Scotia's rules come from its Cannabis Control Act and the Smoke-free Places Act, on top of the federal Cannabis Act. The province raised fines and added mandatory minimums when an amended Cannabis Control Act was proclaimed on June 25, 2026. This is general information; the law is what counts.
How much cannabis can you have in Nova Scotia?
Adults 19 and over can carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis or the equivalent in public, the federal limit. There's no set limit at home as long as it's for personal use, and the province asks that you store it safely away from children and pets.
Making your own edibles at home for personal use is allowed. Selling homemade edibles, including at restaurants or markets, is illegal under federal law.
Where can you smoke weed in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia treats cannabis smoke and vapour like tobacco under its Smoke-free Places Act, so you can generally smoke outdoors wherever tobacco is allowed. The outdoor exceptions are broader than many people expect: no smoking or vaping on provincial beaches or in provincial parks except inside a rented campsite, within 20 metres of an outdoor playground or public sports venue, on or within 9 metres of a public trail, within 4 metres of a workplace entrance, window or air intake, on restaurant and bar patios, or on school grounds. Violations can bring a fine of up to $2,000.
Municipalities can pass stricter bylaws, and some have, so check local rules in the town you're in. Indoors, smoking is banned in public places, workplaces and the common areas of apartment buildings. Renters should check their lease, since landlords can add rules on smoking and growing cannabis to an existing lease with written notice at least four months before its anniversary date.
| Place | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Your home or private property | Allowed, subject to your lease |
| Sidewalks and outdoor public spaces | Allowed where tobacco is, unless a municipal bylaw says otherwise |
| Provincial parks and provincial beaches | Only inside a rented campsite |
| Within 20 m of a playground or public sports venue | Not allowed |
| On or within 9 m of a public trail | Not allowed |
| Restaurant and bar patios | Not allowed |
| Indoor public places and workplaces | Not allowed |
| Any vehicle, including boats | Not allowed, for drivers or passengers |
Can you grow cannabis at home in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Adults can grow up to four plants per household, and each apartment in a house or building counts as its own household. Municipalities can pass bylaws that limit growing further, and landlords can restrict it in rental units if they give tenants proper written notice.
How do you buy cannabis legally in Nova Scotia?
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC), a Crown corporation, is the only authorized retailer of recreational cannabis. Adults 19 and over can buy at designated NSLC stores or order online from the NSLC for home delivery. You can see legal cannabis stores on WeedDB.
Since April 2025, regulations have also let Mi'kmaw communities sign agreements with the NSLC to open NSLC-regulated cannabis stores on reserve.
Driving, travel and tips for visitors
Cannabis in any form can't be used in a vehicle by the driver or passengers, and the rule covers all motorized vehicles, including boats. When you transport cannabis, the province applies the same rule as alcohol: it has to be in a closed, sealed package out of reach of everyone in the vehicle.
Federal law makes it a crime to drive with 2 ng or more of THC per ml of blood within two hours of driving, with tougher penalties at 5 ng or more. Nova Scotia adds its own licence suspensions: if police suspect cannabis impairment but don't have grounds for a criminal charge, they can suspend your licence for 7 days on a first incident, 15 on a second and 30 on a third. A charge after a field sobriety test means an immediate 24-hour suspension, and confirmed impairment means 90 days. Drivers in the graduated licence program face zero tolerance, and the rules apply to medical cannabis users too.
Visitors need to be 19 and carry photo ID. You can bring legally bought cannabis from another province within the 30 gram limit, but Nova Scotia's smoking rules apply once you're here. Never take cannabis across the US border or any international border, even if it's legal where you're headed. Our label guide helps you compare products in store.