Cannabis legalization

Yukon’s Proposed Framework at a glance

The Government of Yukon is proposing direct control of cannabis distribution and consumption upon legalization. This will allow us to carefully manage legalization and enforce the rules surrounding it. The legislation will allow for future changes that reflect Yukon’s interests and values.

Legal age

Yukon proposes setting the minimum age for the legal possession, consumption and cultivation of cannabis at 19.

Possessing cannabis

In Yukon, adults 19 and older would be allowed to have up to 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent in public. People under age 19 would not be allowed to purchase or possess any cannabis.

Growing cannabis

Yukon proposes allowing adults to grow up to four plants per household for personal use.

Consumption of cannabis

The new act would limit recreational consumption to privately owned residences and adjoining property, where permitted by the owner, while providing for the potential to allow consumption in other spaces in the future.

Distribution of cannabis

The Government of Yukon would be the only body with authority to import, warehouse, transport and otherwise distribute recreational cannabis within Yukon for commercial purposes.

Retail of cannabis

Yukoners will have legal access to cannabis upon federal legalization next year. Our proposed approach acknowledges the need for more time to develop regulations and develop a licensing system for private retail.

Survey results at a glance

The survey consisted of an introductory section with general questions, and seven optional sections about specific topics.

There were 3,172 responses to the introductory section, and between 2,416 and 2,817 responses to each of the seven optional sections.

• 97 per cent of respondents were Yukon residents, and 80 per cent were residents of Whitehorse.
• 81 per cent of respondents support the federal government’s plan to legalize cannabis.
• More than 85 per cent of respondents support Yukon’s priorities of focusing on public health, harm reduction, preventing negative impacts on youth, and displacing illegal activity.
• About 75 per cent agreed that it is either completely or somewhat acceptable to occasionally smoke or eat cannabis for recreational purposes.

Setting the legal age

• 45 per cent of respondents stated that the minimum age for possessing, purchasing, or growing cannabis should be 19 years.

Possession

• 71 per cent said Yukon should set the personal possession amount for dried recreational cannabis at 30 grams, the same as the limit set by the federal government.

Personal cultivation

• 65 per cent of respondents agreed that Yukon should allow for four plants per household, the same as the limit set by the federal government.

Consumption

• 58 per cent of respondents agreed that there should be limitations on public consumption of all forms of cannabis (e.g. smoked, eaten, mixed in drinks, etc.).
• 77 per cent of respondents agreed that people should be allowed to smoke cannabis on private property.

Distribution

• 70 per cent of respondents agreed that the Government of Yukon government should, in some way, oversee or manage the distribution of cannabis.

Retail sale

• 51 per cent favoured allowing sales of cannabis using a mixture of government and private retail stores.
• 24 per cent favoured a model that includes only private stores.
• 19 per cent favoured selling cannabis exclusively through government-operated stores.

Safety

• 80 per cent of respondents agreed that there should be zero tolerance for any alcohol or drugs for new drivers and drivers under the age of 21.

Education

• 82 per cent of respondents stated that there should be public education in stores that sell cannabis.