Zero tolerance for young and novice drivers, federal THC limits, roadside and criminal penalties, and how to carry cannabis in a car legally in Ontario.
In Ontario it is illegal to drive while impaired by cannabis, illegal to consume cannabis in any vehicle or boat that is being driven or will be driven, and drivers who are 21 or under, novice drivers and commercial drivers must have no cannabis in their system at all. Penalties start at the roadside with licence suspensions, fines and vehicle impoundment, and a conviction can bring a criminal record.
This guide sets out the rules as of 2026, with the official source for each.
The three rules to remember
- Don't drive impaired. Ontario's cannabis and driving page says driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal, and the same rules apply to boats, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.
- Don't consume in a vehicle. You can't consume cannabis, by smoking, vaping or eating, in a vehicle or boat that is being driven or will be driven. That applies to passengers too.
- Carry it properly. It is illegal to transport cannabis in a motorized vehicle, such as a car or boat, if it is open and not in its original packaging, or if it is not packed in baggage and is readily available to anyone in the vehicle.
Ontario also notes that the effects of cannabis can last up to six hours or longer. If you have consumed, don't drive. Take transit, a taxi or ride with a sober driver.
Zero tolerance: who can't have any cannabis in their system
Ontario's zero tolerance rule covers drivers who:
- Are 21 or under
- Hold a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence
- Are driving a vehicle that needs an A to F class licence or a CVOR certificate
- Are operating a road-building machine
These drivers must not have any cannabis in their system as detected by a federally approved drug screening device. Ontario says medical cannabis users are exempt from the zero tolerance requirement but can still face penalties if they are impaired.
How police test for cannabis
Police can use roadside drug screening equipment and sobriety tests. The federal Department of Justice explains that oral fluid drug screeners can detect some drugs, including THC, in saliva, and police can demand a sample if they reasonably suspect drug use. A positive screen can support a later demand for a blood sample. Police can also require a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation.
The federal THC blood limits
Under the Criminal Code and the federal Blood Drug Concentration Regulations, the blood levels that matter are measured within two hours of driving:
| THC level in blood | What it means |
|---|---|
| 2 ng to under 5 ng per mL | A less serious summary offence, with a maximum fine of $1,000 |
| 5 ng or more per mL | The more serious drug-impaired driving offence |
| 2.5 ng or more per mL plus 50 mg or more of alcohol per 100 mL | The combined alcohol and THC offence |
There is no reliable way to know your own blood THC level, and impairment can be charged on its own. The only safe plan is not to drive after consuming.
Ontario roadside penalties
These come from Ontario's impaired driving page and apply immediately, before any court case.
All drivers who fail or refuse a drug or alcohol test, or perform poorly on a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation:
| Occurrence | Licence suspension | Vehicle impoundment | Program | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 90 days | 7 days | 8-hour education course | $550 |
| Second | 90 days | 7 days | 16-hour treatment program | $550 |
| Third | 90 days | 7 days | 16-hour treatment program plus 6 months of ignition interlock | $550 |
A licence reinstatement fee also applies each time your licence is suspended.
Young and novice drivers (21 and under, or a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence) who break the zero tolerance rule face a 7-day suspension and a $250 penalty for a first occurrence, 14 days and $350 for a second, and 30 days and $450 for a third, plus education or treatment programs and a fine of $60 to $1,000 if convicted.
Commercial drivers face a 3-day suspension for each occurrence, with penalties of $250, $350 and $450.
Criminal penalties
A conviction for drug-impaired driving is a criminal matter. The Department of Justice lists a mandatory minimum $1,000 fine for a first offence, a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail for a second and 120 days for a third. Refusing to provide a sample carries a mandatory minimum $2,000 fine for a first offence. Causing bodily harm or death carries far heavier sentences.
On top of that, Ontario's licence penalties after a first criminal conviction include a suspension of at least one year, a mandatory education or treatment program, and an ignition interlock for at least one year. Penalties climb steeply for second and later convictions, up to a lifetime suspension.
Picking up from our store by car
If you drive to pick up an order at Sugar Beach Cannabis, keep the products sealed in their original packaging and put them in the trunk or a closed bag out of reach. Don't open anything until you are home and done driving for the day. If you are coming on foot or by transit, TTC bus routes run along Queens Quay East and Union Station is about a 20-minute walk.
Responsible use, in short
- Never drive, ride or operate a boat after consuming cannabis.
- Start low and go slow, and remember effects can last for hours.
- Keep products locked and away from children and pets.
For the rest of Ontario's rules, read Ontario cannabis laws explained. For where consumption is allowed once you are home or out, see where you can smoke cannabis in Toronto. Travelling further? Read flying with cannabis from Toronto.
Visit Sugar Beach Cannabis
Sugar Beach Cannabis is at 192 Queens Quay East, Unit A5, Toronto, ON M5A 3Y4, in East Bayfront beside Sherbourne Common and about a 3-minute walk east of Sugar Beach park. Browse the live menu, order online and pick up in store, or walk in. Every product shows a regular price and a lower member price. We are 19+ only and you will need government photo ID. Questions first? Call 437-780-0285, contact us or read more about us.
Frequently asked questions
Is there zero tolerance for cannabis and driving in Ontario?
Yes, for some drivers. Drivers 21 and under, G1, G2, M1 and M2 licence holders, drivers of vehicles that need an A to F licence or CVOR, and road-building machine operators must have no cannabis in their system. All other drivers can be charged if they are impaired or over the federal THC blood limits.
What is the legal THC limit for driving in Canada?
Having 2 ng to under 5 ng of THC per mL of blood within two hours of driving is a less serious summary offence. 5 ng or more is the more serious offence, and 2.5 ng of THC combined with 50 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood is also an offence. Impairment can be charged on its own at any level.
How do you transport cannabis in a car in Ontario?
Ontario says it is illegal to transport cannabis in a car or boat if it is open and not in its original packaging, or if it is not packed in baggage and is readily available to anyone in the vehicle. Keep it sealed in its original packaging and in the trunk or a closed bag out of reach.
Can a passenger consume cannabis in a car in Ontario?
No. Ontario bans consuming cannabis in any form, including smoking, vaping and eating, in a vehicle or boat that is being driven or will be driven. The rule applies to everyone in the vehicle.
This article is general information about cannabis rules and products in Ontario, not legal or medical advice. Rules change: check the official sources linked above. Cannabis is for adults 19+. Never drive impaired.
