Cannabis in Regina
Public consumption is banned across Saskatchewan, so in Regina cannabis is for private property only. The local story is zoning: Regina started with a buffer of about 183 metres between stores and schools, and in 2021 council cut it to 60 metres over the objections of both school boards.
Where can you consume cannabis in Regina?
Only on private property. The Cannabis Control (Saskatchewan) Act bans consumption in any public place, and Regina has no designated consumption areas or lounges (see the Saskatchewan rules). Landlords and condo boards can ban cannabis in their buildings, so check before you light up in a rental.
How does Regina regulate cannabis stores?
In 2018 council kept stores at least one block, 600 feet (182.88 metres), from places frequented by young people, and made the buffer reciprocal so new schools and parks couldn't open that close to an existing store. An attempt to halve it failed on a split vote.
In November 2021 the planning commission voted 8-1 to keep the old distance, backed by the public and Catholic school boards; Regina Public Schools said 22 schools could be affected. Council reversed that on November 10, 2021, with only one councillor opposed. The mayor called 182 metres from a school "a little extreme". Council also widened the number of zones where stores can open to 13.
Under the zoning bylaw a store now needs 60 metres from another store, schools, day cares, active parks, and community centres, libraries and enclosed rinks. Downtown, only the store-to-store distance applies. A site that falls short must go through a discretionary use review that looks at sightlines and physical barriers. Unlike Saskatoon, Regina charges no special cannabis licence fee beyond normal permit costs.
| Rule | 2018 | Since the 2021 amendments |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from schools and youth-frequented sites | 182.88 m (600 ft) | 60 m |
| Downtown | Same as elsewhere | Store-to-store distance only |
What's the history of legal cannabis in Regina?
Saskatchewan issued its first store permits by lottery in 2018. Regina got six, and 157 applicants entered for them, about a 3.8% chance each. None was ready on October 17, 2018, so Regina buyers drove to a store in the RM of Edenwold, east of the city. By late November there was still only one legal store in Regina, and it had to close temporarily that month because supply ran out. The last of the six original permits didn't open until October 2019. The province removed its cap on store numbers in September 2020.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 2018 | Six Regina permits drawn by lottery from 157 applicants |
| October 17, 2018 | Legalization; no Regina store ready |
| November 2018 | Regina's only store closes temporarily for lack of supply |
| October 2019 | Last of the six original permits opens |
| September 2020 | Province removes the cap on store numbers |
| November 10, 2021 | Council cuts the school buffer to 60 m |
What should visitors to Regina know?
Use cannabis only where you're staying, and check the hotel or rental's rules first. Southern Saskatchewan borders North Dakota and Montana, and taking any amount of cannabis across the US border is illegal in both directions, even where it is legal in a US state. Within Canada you can fly with up to 30 grams. For what's in a product, see how to read a cannabis label.
