Canada’s coolest cannabis-friendly cities of the year

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Cannabis is federally legal in Canada – but that doesn’t mean that all Canadian cities are created equal when it comes to weed.

While the country boasts a wide variety of cities that feature exceptional cannabis culture from coast to coast, here are three of our favourite weed-friendly cities in which to get high — and enjoy the view.

Montreal, Quebec

Although Quebec has a well-earned reputation as one of the least cannabis-friendly provinces in Canada, the city of Montreal is, in some ways, an island of tolerance amidst a sea of over-regulation in la belle province.

While still subject to the nannyism and restrictions set in place by the province, Montrealers have long-smoked cannabis pretty much everywhere in public with impunity (although now it’s actually legal anywhere you can smoke cigarettes). The city also offers a plethora of scenic places to consume, from the top of the mountain to the charming Old Port to the walkways of beautifully-lit, Eiffel-designed Jacques Cartier Bridge.

And although its government-run SQDC locations are few and far between, the city is home to an utterly thriving illicit market if you know who to ask. As a bonus, most unregulated retailers, be they a sophisticated operation or just a friendly local dude, offer delivery – a definite plus between the frigid months of November and March.

Toronto, Ontario

Another city that allows public smoking in many places, Toronto also offers a decent number of dispensaries and lots of smoke spots, as well as being one of the highest cities in the world.

The city offers a plethora of pleasant places to consume, including most of the Don Valley, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Cherry Beach, and the Toronto Islands (which feature several public beaches and an amusement park).

Toronto also hosts one of the larger annual cannabis-related protests in Canada and it’s home to one of the only legal consumption lounges in the country, the iconic Hotbox Café, which has been a Kensington Market staple for decades.

Added bonus: The province-run Ontario Cannabis Store has started offering same-day delivery to cannabis lovers in many parts of the city.

Calgary, Alberta

Alberta has asserted itself as the Canadian capital of regulated cannabis in 2019, securing 22 per cent of the legal market. Licensed dispensaries are popping up like mushrooms all over the province, and the city of Calgary is no exception.

Having invested millions in cannabis-related costs since legalization, the city has featured a cannabis-friendly folk festival, the popular Hempfest Expo, and is now home to a few production facilities.

One caveat: Public smoking (of recreational cannabis) is verboten, so even though you can find a pot shop literally everywhere, you might have to spend a little more time searching for a place to smoke up.

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