TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL

At what age am I legally allowed to smoke?
In Alberta you are not legally permitted to smoke until you are 18 years old. This includes all tobacco, from cigarettes and cigars to pipe tobacco. It is illegal to even have tobacco on you if you are under 18.

However, if you are a First Nations youth you are allowed to smoke if you are smoking for a traditional cultural or spiritual purpose. If it is not cultural or spiritual, then it is illegal to smoke if you are under 18.

Legal Authorities
  • Prevention of Youth Tobacco Use Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. P-22, s.2
  • Prevention of Youth Tobacco Use Regulation, Alta. Reg. 149/2004, s.4 – exception
At what age am I legally allowed to drink (alcohol)?
You have to be 18 years old to drink in Alberta. You are not allowed to drink, buy, or have any alcohol until you have turned 18. The only exception is if your parent or guardian gives you alcohol in your home. It cannot be a friend’s parent or guardian; it has to be your own at your house.
Legal Authorities
  • Gaming and Liquor Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. G-1, s.1(1)(w)
  • Gaming and Liquor Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. G-1, s.87(1)
  • Gaming and Liquor Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. G-1, s.87(3) – exception
Is even a small amount of marijuana illegal?
Yes, there is no exception for small quantities of marijuana. Any amount is illegal to have, buy, sell, or grow.

A very few people are allowed to have marijuana for medical purposes – a ‘Medical Marijuana exception’ – but you must have a ‘Authorization to Possess’ issued by the Government of Canada to be allowed to have marijuana for medical purposes.

Legal Authorities
  • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. 1, s.4(1) – possess (2)- buy
  • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. a, s.5 – traffic
  • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. 1, s. 7- grow
  • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. 1, Schedule II
  • Marihuana Medical Access Regulations, SOR/2001-227, s.2
Driving drunk is illegal, but is driving high?
Yes, driving while high is illegal. Driving while impaired by drugs (including marijuana) is an offence under the Criminal Code.
Legal Authorities
  • Criminal Code, R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s.253