Cannabis possession on a boat (Official rules for cruising in Ontario Canada)

[Rob Toronto]

When legalization was finally implemented, I decided to contact the Government of Ontario to get clarification on the rules for cannabis possession on a boat.

It is basically the same rules as it is for alcohol, but I thought I'd post their reply to my inquiry in full for those who are interested.
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Thank you for your email in regards to rules for cannabis on boats which are also residences. As the Executive Director of the Ontario Legalization of Cannabis Secretariat, I am pleased to provide a response.

As a result of the federal government’s decision to legalize cannabis on October 17, 2018, provincial legislation has passed with rules to keep cannabis out of the hands of children and youth, while keeping our roads safe and eliminating the illegal market.

Ontario passed legislation to align rules concerning vaping and smoking cannabis with the Smoke Free Ontario Act (SFOA), 2017. Please be advised that under the SFOA, any form of consumption of cannabis in a vehicle or boat is prohibited. As the Smoke Free Ontario Act is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care (MOHLTC), you may wish to direct any further inquiries related to places of use of cannabis and the Smoke Free Ontario Act to the MOHLTC.

The Cannabis Control Act, 2017 sets out rules respecting the transportation of cannabis in vehicle. Under the Act, no person shall drive or have the care or control of a vehicle or boat, whether or not it is in motion, while any cannabis is contained in the vehicle or boat. However, the prohibition does not apply to cannabis that a) is in its original packaging and has not been opened or b) is packed in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to any person in the vehicle or boat. This is similar to the existing provincial restrictions on the transportation of liquor.

Regulations have also provided exemptions for vehicles and boats that are residences. You may wish to visit the following link to the O. Reg. 30/18 under the Cannabis Control Act, 2017, and see the exemptions under Section 5.1: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulati...is+control+act

Under Section 5.1 of the regulations for the Cannabis Control Act, 2017, section 12(1) does not apply to motor vehicles as defined in the Highway Traffic Act that are equipped with permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking facilities, while parked in a place that is not a highway or a King’s Highway within the meaning of that Act and are being used as a residence. Similarly, the regulations also exempt a boat with permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking and sanitary facilities, other than a boat used to carry passengers for hire, while the boat is at anchor or is secured to a dock or land and is being used as a residence.

For more information on the provincial cannabis framework and other resources please visit Ontario.ca/cannabis.

Thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,
Renu Kulendran

Executive Director

[bletso]

Makes sense and seems reasonable.