About 20 minutes on foot from Scotiabank Arena to a licensed waterfront dispensary, with straight answers on the cannabis rules around the arena and South Core.
From Scotiabank Arena, the nearest licensed dispensary on the waterfront is Sugar Beach Cannabis, about a 20-minute walk at 192 Queens Quay East. Walk south to Queens Quay, turn east and follow the water past Sugar Beach to Sherbourne Common.
South Core has grown into one of downtown's densest pockets of condos and office towers, and the arena brings big crowds on top of that. This guide is for anyone in the area, whether you live in South Core, work in one of the towers, or are passing through on an event day: how to reach the store, what the rules are around the arena, and how to keep your trip quick.
How to get there from the arena
Scotiabank Arena sits at Bay Street and Lake Shore Boulevard, just south of Union Station. The store is due east along the water.
- Leave the arena and head to Bay Street.
- Walk south on Bay Street to Queens Quay, where the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal sits at the foot of Bay.
- Turn left and walk east along Queens Quay.
- Cross Yonge Street, where Queens Quay West becomes Queens Quay East.
- Continue past the Redpath sugar refinery and Sugar Beach.
- About 3 minutes past Sugar Beach, you will reach Sherbourne Common. The store is at 192 Queens Quay East, Unit A5, right beside it.
The full walk takes about 20 minutes. TTC bus routes run along Queens Quay East if you would rather ride part of the way.
Coming from elsewhere in South Core
If you are starting from a condo or office tower in South Core rather than the arena, the idea is the same: get to Queens Quay, then head east. For starting points further north, our Financial District guide and Union Station guide cover routes from King and Bay and from the station.
Your questions about cannabis around the arena
The arena area raises a few specific questions. Here are the answers, based on Ontario's cannabis laws.
Can you use cannabis inside the arena?
No. Ontario bans smoking and vaping cannabis in enclosed public places and enclosed workplaces. An indoor arena is an enclosed public place.
What about outdoor venues and plazas?
Ontario bans smoking and vaping cannabis in reserved seating areas at outdoor sports and entertainment venues. It also bans it on restaurant and bar patios, in public areas within 9 metres of a patio, and in sheltered outdoor areas with a roof and more than two walls, such as bus shelters. Around the arena, with so many restaurant and bar patios nearby, those rules cover a lot of space.
Is it legal to carry cannabis to an event?
Federal law lets adults carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent, in public. Health Canada's possession calculator converts other formats. Whether a venue allows you to bring cannabis inside is up to the venue, so check its policies before you go. The straightforward option is to leave your purchase at home.
What if I drove downtown?
Ontario's cannabis and driving rules say cannabis cannot be transported in a vehicle if it is open and out of its original packaging, or if it is readily available to anyone in the vehicle rather than packed in baggage. Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal, and Ontario's impaired driving page says the penalties are the same as for alcohol-impaired driving. Read more in our cannabis and driving guide.
Keeping the trip short
South Core is a busy part of the city, and nobody wants to spend extra time waiting at a counter. The fastest way to shop:
- Open the live menu on your phone.
- Choose your products. Each one shows a regular price and a lower member price.
- Place your order online.
- Walk over, show government-issued photo ID, pay and pick up in store.
Walk-ins are welcome too. If you have not used the order-ahead system before, our pickup guide explains how it works.
What you will find on the menu
| Category | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Dried flower | Whole, dried cannabis flower |
| Pre-rolls and blunts | Ready-made, pre-rolled cannabis |
| Vapes | 510-thread cartridges and all-in-one disposables |
| Edibles | Solid cannabis foods with THC and CBD on the label |
| Beverages | Cannabis drinks |
| Extracts and concentrates | Rosin, live resin, diamonds and hash |
| Oils and drops | Measured liquid formats |
People choose products by THC and CBD content and by terpene profile. If you are new, start low and go slow, and ask staff to walk you through the label. For medical questions, talk to a healthcare provider.
Living in South Core?
If you live in one of the area's condo towers, the rules at home are worth knowing. Ontario allows smoking or vaping cannabis in a private residence, but not in indoor common areas of condos and apartment buildings. Your condo rules or lease may add further limits. Our condo and rental rules guide has the details.
Wherever you live, store cannabis locked and out of reach of children and pets.
Visit Sugar Beach Cannabis
Sugar Beach Cannabis is at 192 Queens Quay East, Unit A5, Toronto, ON M5A 3Y4, about a 20-minute walk east of Scotiabank Arena along the waterfront. Order online and pick up in store from our live menu, or walk in. 19+ only, with government photo ID.
Call 437-780-0285, email tim@sugarbeachcannabis.com or reach us through the contact page. Learn more about the store.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a dispensary near Scotiabank Arena?
Sugar Beach Cannabis at 192 Queens Quay East, Unit A5, is about a 20-minute walk from the arena. Walk south on Bay Street to Queens Quay, then east along the waterfront to Sherbourne Common.
Can you smoke cannabis at Scotiabank Arena?
No. Ontario bans smoking and vaping cannabis in enclosed public places, and an indoor arena is an enclosed public place. Ontario also bans it on patios, within 9 metres of patios, and in reserved seating at outdoor sports and entertainment venues.
Can I bring cannabis to an event downtown?
Federal law allows adults to carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent, in public, but venues set their own entry policies. The simplest choice is to buy before or after and keep your purchase sealed at home.
How can I make the trip quick?
Order online from the live menu before you leave, then pay and pick up in store with your photo ID. Walk-ins are also welcome.
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.
