buy weed online

How to Buy Weed Online Legally

Buying legal cannabis online in Canada now comes with clarity, certainty, and security. You can explore your options, find perfect products, and get them shipped straight to your door. By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll know how to buy weed online with confidence.

Buying Weed Online in Canada

Do you want to order weed online? Whether you are new to cannabis or an experienced connoisseur, navigating the online marketplaces can seem daunting at first. Thankfully, it has never been easier to get legal weed delivered straight to your door.

Since the legalization of cannabis in Canada on October 17, 2018, Canadians have gained access to buying it online. No matter which province or territory you reside in, there are online options to get weed delivered. 

Legally buying weed online is easier than it has ever been. The online marketplaces are constantly expanding into new strains and new product types. This scenario makes it impossible for recreational consumers to get bored or deal with going dankrupt.

Here are the tips to help you confidently buy cannabis online.

1. How Do I Buy Cannabis Online legally?

When it comes to buying marijuana online, it all depends on where you are in Canada. Depending on the province or territory, there are minor differences in the online experience and process. The first consideration is the age of access for your jurisdiction. In Alberta, for example, you must be at least 18 years old. As for Quebec and every other province and territory, you must be 19. As long as you meet the legal age for buying weed, you are good to go.

The next question you may have is, ‘where can I buy weed online?’ The answer to this also depends on where you are situated. Each province and territory has determined the precise rules for themselves. That said, every jurisdiction must offer Canadians access to buying cannabis online, wherever people live.

Each province or territory controls wholesale cannabis purchases, and many also host government-run online marketplaces. For example, Ontario has the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), British Columbia operates BC Cannabis Stores (BCCS), Alberta runs Alberta Cannabis (AC), and New Brunswick operats Cannabis NB CNB  .

The first thing you’ll notice when reaching any of these online marketplaces is that you’ll be asked to confirm your age. If you are not asked to do so, you are likely looking in the wrong place.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the only provinces that allow private companies to sell cannabis online. These marketplaces are regulated and approved by the provincial governments. Specific companies have been approved to sell cannabis online. If you’re wondering how to find these official stores, keep reading.

Where do I go for more information? A quick google search can help you find the official government page for cannabis information in your jurisdiction. These are the best resources for official details specific to that province or territory. You can use these resources to answer all the exact questions you may have about cannabis rules that matter to you.

2. What Cannabis Product Types are Available Online?

When it comes to buying cannabis online, you have hundreds of options to explore and consider. The only limitation you’ll have to keep in mind is that your purchase has a cap on it. Generally, it is either 28-grams or 30-grams of THC. Each purchase cannot go over that limit. All products that are not dried flowers will present an equivalency amount for this quota. So what products are offered?

In Canada, you can legally buy an array of different product types. You have the option of buying seeds, plants, dried flowers (buds), edibles, infused beverages, extracts, and topicals. Extracts include vape carts, concentrates like shatter, and THC oils. Since legalization, there has been an explosion of product offerings in all domains. You now have more options for topical products, infused beverages, and concentrates than ever before.

While going with the standard dried flower is never a bad idea, take your time and explore the other product offerings available to you. Due to the limitations on how much you can buy, sometimes the process is a bit of a mix and match to find the perfect combination.

3. Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid Strains? 

Like with the different product types, the choice of cannabis strains is entirely up to you and your goals. Whether you go with sativa, indica, or hybrid strains depends on what you want to get out of your high. That said, every product is unique, and each person reacts differently to cannabis products. No matter what you decide, always start low and go slow.

Generally, there are typical effects associated with indica and sativa strains. Indica strains produce a body high, complete with sedation, relaxation, and appetite stimulation. On the other hand, sativa strains lead to a head high, inspiring creativity, socialization, and physical activity. Broadly between the two, sativa is better for daytime, and indica is better for promoting couch-lock and sleep.

As you can see, which strain you buy will depend on what your goal is. When it comes to hybrid strains, they tend to fall somewhere between the two types. A sativa-dominant hybrid may act more like a classic sativa. An indica-dominant hybrid acts more like a classic indica. When it comes to your exact reaction, there are many variables at play, so there is a bit of trial-and-error needed to find that perfect strain for you.

Related article: Your Beginner Guide to Marijuana Strains

4. What Factors Should I Consider Before Buying Cannabis?

When exploring the different products, you should review the THC/CBD content, terpene content, production practices, and price. Newcomers to cannabis should look for strains that have at least some CBD content. It would be even better to seek balanced strains with equal THC/CBD percentages. More experienced consumers can seek out as high THC content as they find appropriate for your tolerance level.

Terpenes should not be forgotten, as they provide the aroma and flavor behind strains. If you are new to cannabis, you may not yet know much about terpenes beyond these facts. When it comes to terpenes, it is all about personal preference. Some people enjoy the citrus scent of limonene – others like the pine aroma of alpha-pinene. Find the terpenes you enjoy and use them as a guide to finding the perfect strains.

For dried flowers, you can also explore where and how the plants were grown and produced. There are large differences between small-batch and greenhouse-sized grow operations. Furthermore, hand-trimming and proper drying/curing are essential to creating the best bud possible. Generally, you’ll pay more for this quality, but you get what you pay for. 

For infused edibles and beverages, the critical factor is the THC content. By law, edibles can contain no more than 10mg of THC per package. And so, there is not much variability in the market at this point. Still, there are delicious cookies, gummies, seltzers, and more.

5. How does the shipping Work?

Depending on where you are located, shipping can range from being free to $6-8. On delivery, you must verify your age with a piece of ID. Another member of your household can accept the package and show their ID instead.

During the COVID-19 crisis, there have been some changes and adaptations that may alter the situation. For example, Ontario started providing free delivery. At the same time, BC stopped delivering to houses (you have to pick it up at your nearest Canada Post). Refer to your specific online retailer to learn about shipping policies.

6. Security

The best part about buying legal cannabis online in Canada is the security:

  1. You can be assured that everything you are doing is legal.
  2. These official sources take privacy very seriously.
  3. You no longer have to deal with shady back-alley deals and random bags of weed.

Taken together, you can get the exact product you want, legally, while resting comfortably that your data is secure.

Related article: The Average Cost of Buying Cannabis in Ontario

Becoming an Expert at Buying Weed Online

While the process may seem daunting, it only takes a little bit of effort to open the wide world of legal cannabis in Canada. We discovered how easy it is to find a safe and secure online retailer for your province or territory. Once you find the correct source, you’ll gain access to a vast assortment of different products. This array of choices is fantastic for consumers, so take the time to explore all the options available to you. Use the tips provided here to find the perfect strain and product for you and your goals.