Frequently Asked Questions

The term “cannabis” describes cannabis products in general, as opposed to the commonly used term “marijuana”, which only describes parts of the plant. Cannabis is a broad term derived from the leaves, flowers and resins of the Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica plants, or hybrids of the two. These products exist in various forms and are used for different purposes (e.g., medical, recreational, industrial).  

Cannabis can be used in many ways, some which may lead to second-hand smoke/vapour. Uses include smoking, vaporizing, eating in food, drinking, dabbing, putting drops under the tongue, or applying it directly to the skin in a lotion.  

Cannabis is currently legal for medical purposes. This means that individuals with a prescription can purchase cannabis from licensed medical cannabis producers.

Cannabis legalization refers to making cannabis legal for non-medical purposes. This is commonly referred to as recreational or personal use. 

The Alberta government has set the minimum age for purchase and consumption at 18. This is in line with Alberta’s minimum age for purchasing and consuming alcohol and tobacco, as well as the federal government’s minimum age for consuming legal cannabis. 

Albertans will have two options for purchasing recreational cannabis:

• Privately run retail stores
• Government-operated online sales

Physical retail locations are subject to government regulations and the terms of licences granted by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), including the details above.

Consumers are limited to 30 grams of cannabis per transaction, which is also the legal public possession limit. Consumer education will be embedded in the retail of cannabis, and retail outlets will display point-of-purchase signage and other materials to educate customers about making responsible choices about cannabis.

Online sales and home delivery are only available through a single website operated by the AGLC. No other online sales or deliveries are permitted in Alberta. This is in response to concerns raised by Albertans about the need for strict control over age-verification processes during the initial sale and at the time of delivery. It also gives Albertans confidence in their purchases, as there is a single online source for recreational cannabis in the province. 

Though cannabis cafes and lounges are not currently permitted, the legislation also gives the authority to regulate these establishments should the government decide to allow them later.

Edibles are now legal for sale as per the federal and provincial regulations.

The federal government is responsible for home cultivation. Under the federal legislation, adults will be able to grow up to 4 plants per residence from seeds purchased from licensed cannabis retailers. 

Renters, condo-dwellers and those who live in multi-family dwellings may be restricted from growing cannabis in their homes based on rules established in rental agreements or condominium bylaws.

• The City of St. Albert is accepting development permit applications.
• Business Licence applications for cannabis retail stores will be accepted after applicants have been issued a development permit.

To learn about the application process, visit the Cannabis Application Process and Package page.