Last verified: March 2026

Federal Home Growing Rules

Under the Cannabis Act, adults of legal age can grow up to 4 cannabis plants per household for personal use. This is a per-household limit, not per person — a home with four adults still gets only 4 plants total. Plants must be grown from legally sourced seeds or seedlings (purchased from a licensed retailer or the government online store).

Provincial Exceptions

Provinces can restrict (but not expand) federal home growing rules:

• Quebec: Home cultivation is completely banned. The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously upheld this ban in April 2023 in Murray-Hall v. Quebec, ruling that provinces have jurisdiction to prohibit home growing.
• Manitoba: Made history in May 2025 when it lifted its ban on home cultivation, leaving Quebec as the only province still prohibiting it.
• Newfoundland: Allows 4 plants but restricts growing to indoor only — outdoor cultivation is prohibited.
• All other provinces: Allow 4 plants per household, indoor and outdoor.

Rental and Condo Rules

Landlords and condominium corporations can prohibit cannabis cultivation in rental agreements and bylaws. Even in provinces where home growing is legal, your landlord or strata council may ban it. Growing in a rented property without permission could be grounds for eviction. Always check your lease or condo rules before planting.

Security and Responsibility

While the Cannabis Act doesn't specify security requirements for home growing, you are responsible for ensuring that:

• Plants are not accessible to minors
• Growing operations don't create safety hazards (mold, electrical risks)
• Outdoor plants comply with any municipal bylaws about visibility or setbacks

Illegal Growing

Growing more than 4 plants for personal use, or growing for the purpose of distribution, is a criminal offence. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment depending on the number of plants and circumstances. Growing cannabis from illegally sourced seeds is also prohibited.