TORONTO CANNABIS 101

With Toronto's status on the rise, we're sure you've got questions about how to fully immerse yourself in the cannabis culture. Here's a quick hit list of where to buy cannabis in Toronto, where to roam, and what to eat.

OK, so what are the rules for smoking cannabis in Toronto?

As long as you’re over 19, you can smoke cannabis in a private residence or in public. You’re not allowed to smoke anywhere that you can’t smoke cigarettes -- so no hotel rooms, restaurants, right outside of public doorways, etc. Keep it out of your car, and don't drive under the influence. And don't carry more than an ounce (30g) you.

Where can I buy cannabis?

There are about a dozen legal dispensaries in Toronto, which you can locate via the provincial government’s legal cannabis website, the Ontario Cannabis Store. Shops have different vibes ranging from Apple Store to Starbucks to upscale fast-food restaurant, but all sell similar stuff: flower, pre-rolls, oils, softgel capsules, and edibles at prices starting from about $7.50 Canadian dollars per gram. Keep an eye out for illegal dispensaries, like CAFE, which look virtually the same as legal shops, but aren’t regulated.

These are our favorite spots to stock up:

The Hunny Pot Cannabis Co: The city’s first legal pot shop (built in an old strip club) spans three floors and has qualified budtenders with iPads to walk you through your purchase.

Tokyo Smoke: Owned by Canopy Growth, Tokyo Smoke has three legal dispensaries with over 125 strains and tiny sniffing pods or “scent orbs” to have a whiff before you buy. Tokyo Smoke also has coffee shops, which sell accessories but aren’t permitted to sell cannabis.

Canna Cabana: One of Toronto’s newest shops, Canna Cabana has a fun tropical-themed vibe and helpfully offers a place to recycle wasteful plastic packaging.

Nova: Similar to a fast-food joint, Nova has a big screen listing its offerings including “Black Market Buster’ deals that can drop prices below $7 per gram. Drop in on Thursdays for “Cannabis 101” education sessions.

Canvas: Toronto’s first women-owned dispensary opened in the east end at the end of 2019 and has a friendly forest-themed vibe with grassy walls that resemble cannabis flower.