The legal cannabis consumption age in an authorized cannabis retailers in the province of Ontario is 19 years of age.
- You must request identification from anyone who appears to be under 25 years old and confirm that they are at least 19 years of age before allowing them to enter the store (Ontario Regulation 468/18 ).
- Sale of cannabis to persons under the age of 19 is prohibited under the Cannabis Control Act, 2017 .
The minimum age to work in a licensed cannabis retail store is 19 years of age.
Best practices for checking ID
Be consistent
- To make sure your patron is of legal age, you must ask for ID to verify the age of anyone who appears underage, every time.
- Do not make assumptions based on appearance, familiarity, or frequency of visits.
Take time to examine the ID
- Examine the ID by hand – do not rely on a quick glance.
- Check that the photo matches the individual and that the birthdate is accurate.
- Ensure the ID is valid, government-issued and not expired.
Ask questions when unsure
- Request a second piece of ID.
- Ask the customer to confirm details on the ID (e.g., birthdate, postal code).
Say "No" if the ID is not valid
- Decline sale or service and state that the law prohibits sale or service to minors.
- Be professional and courteous.
- Refer to signage.
- Request assistance from a supervisor / manager or colleague, if necessary.
Handling an abusive customer
- Sometimes, it is hard to tell if a patron is 19 years or older and asking for their ID can make them unhappy or upset
- Stay calm, professional and courteous.
- Stand your ground. By law, you are required to check a person’s ID if they appear underage.
- Request assistance from a supervisor or manager, if necessary.
- Notify the authorities (local police), if necessary.