Is It Legal to Use Marijuana in Alberta, Canada?

The rules and laws about cannabis use in Canada are largely determined at the Federal level. However, individual provinces and territories have some say on the specifics of how the issue is handled.

Is Marijuana legal in Alberta, Canada? With the Cannabis Act, Marijuana has been legal in Alberta and everywhere in Canada, since October 17, 2018. This includes both recreational and medicinal use.

The Canadian Cannabis Act legalized and created regulations for the possession, use and sale of cannabis products. This brought it from the illegal underground world to a legal, commercial, but regulated world.

Medicinal use of marijuana was already allowed in Canada under certain circumstances, but this opened the door to a wider recreational audience.

Marijuana Restrictions in Alberta

While the Cannabis Act is a Federal law that applies across Canada, there are certain nuances that are managed provincially.

One example of this is that you must be 18 years old to possess or use marijuana in Alberta. Other provinces and territories have set that limit to 19 years old.

Provincial and Territorial Jurisdiction

Provinces and territories have jurisdiction over:

  • how cannabis is sold
  • where stores may be located
  • how stores must be operated
  • who can legally sell cannabis
  • possession limits
  • minimum age
  • where cannabis may be used in public
  • setting added requirements on personal cultivation

Source

Alberta Marijuana Regulations and Restrictions

In Alberta, cannabis is legal within the following parameters:

  • Age restriction: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase, possess or consume cannabis. Children are not allowed to enter cannabis retailer shops, even if accompanied by an adult.
  • Possession limit: Adults are allowed to possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis in public.
  • Purchase limit: You can purchase up to 30 grams of dried cannabis or equivalent from a licensed retailer.
  • Cultivation limit: You are allowed to cultivate up to 4 plants per household for personal use.
  • Use restrictions: Cannabis use is prohibited in public places, including parks, schools and other places where children gather.
  • Driving restrictions: It is illegal to drive under the influence of cannabis.
  • Advertising restrictions: Cannabis products cannot be advertised to minors or in a manner that promotes excessive use.
  • Packaging and labeling requirements: All cannabis products must be properly packaged and labeled with health warnings and product information.
  • Export/Import restrictions: It is illegal to export cannabis outside of Canada or to import it into the country without a government-issued permit.
  • Workplace restrictions: Employers may have their own policies regarding cannabis use in the workplace and drug testing policies.

Where Can You Buy Marijuana in Alberta?

Cannabis products must be sold by authorized retailers. This is regulated through the AGLC (Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis). You can easily search for a licensed dealer near you here.

In Summary

  • Marijuana use is legal across Canada as of the the Cannabis Act of 2018.
  • Provinces and Territories have some say in how to manage certain aspects of the law.
  • You must be 18 years of age to buy or possess cannabis in the province of Alberta, while other provinces and territories are 19.
  • The Cannabis Act legalized cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes

Are There Wolf Spiders in Alberta?

Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae) are found in many parts of the world. In general, they can be found on most continents except for Antarctica, and you are unlikely to find them on Oceanic Islands.

Are there Wolf Spiders in Alberta? Yes, there are Wolf Spiders in Alberta. They are found throughout the province, but mostly in grassy or woodland regions.

They are called “Wolf Spiders” because of the way they actively hunt for their prey, rather than spin webs to catch food like other types of spiders.

Source

Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?

Wolf Spiders are generally not aggressive and are considered harmless to humans. They can bite, and they do have venom, but it’s rare and the venom is not typically a health threat for people.

In Summary

  • There are wolf spiders in Alberta. They are commonly found on almost every continent of earth.
  • They prefer grassy areas or the woods.
  • They are called wolf spiders due to the way the hunt rather than spin webs.
  • They are considered harmless to people.

Are there Wild Turkeys in Alberta?

So you might be wondering if you can find wild turkeys in Alberta. The answer is yes! These birds are actually native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats throughout the province, especially in the south and central regions.

They almost became extinct in the 1900s because of habitat loss and overhunting. Fortunately, people started working to save them and now they’re doing better than ever.

You might have seen pictures of wild turkeys before – they’re pretty big and have some pretty cool feathers. Males have iridescent feathers and a big, fan-shaped tail, while females are more drab but still pretty interesting.

If you’re hoping to spot some wild turkeys on your visit to Alberta, there are a few places you might want to check out.

Provincial parks and nature reserves like Writing-on-Stone, Elk Island National Park, and Kananaskis Country are all good options. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you might even find some wild turkeys on private land or in rural areas.

Just remember, these are wild animals, so it’s important to keep your distance and not approach or feed them. With a little bit of luck, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of these impressive birds during your visit to Alberta. Happy turkey-spotting!

How Much Do Teachers Make in Alberta?

Obviously, teacher salaries vary wildly, depending on location, education level, type of teacher and so on. If you just need some general ballpark figures, we can help you out.

We broke down Alberta teachers salary ranges by the type of teacher an education level/years of experience.

The best way to answer this question is in the following way:

How much do teachers make annually in Alberta? A classroom teacher makes between $56,000 and $104,000+. A principal makes between $80,000 and $128,000. A superintendent makes between $104,000 and $128,000.

This chart gives a more specific breakdown of education level and years of experience. (All Dollar Amounts are CAD)

Type of Teacher Degrees/Years/Level of Education Salary
Classroom Teacher Bachelor’s degree (0-2 years of experience) $56,000 – $68,000
Classroom Teacher Bachelor’s degree (3+ years of experience) $68,000 – $80,000
Classroom Teacher Master’s degree $80,000 – $92,000
Classroom Teacher Doctoral degree $92,000 – $104,000
Classroom Teacher Additional qualifications (e.g. specialist certification) $104,000+
Principal Bachelor’s degree (0-2 years of experience) $80,000 – $92,000
Principal Bachelor’s degree (3+ years of experience) $92,000 – $104,000
Principal Master’s degree $104,000 – $116,000
Principal Doctoral degree $116,000 – $128,000
Superintendent Bachelor’s degree (0-2 years of experience) $104,000 – $116,000
Superintendent Bachelor’s degree (3+ years of experience) $116,000 – $128,000

For even more accuracy and details about teachers earnings in Alberta, we recommend visiting this Alberta Salaries Site here.

It’s hard to pinpoint a precise salary for a profession like teaching. If you asked to Alberta teachers about their salary, you might get 2 different answers, but this gets us in the range to get a general sense of the profession.

In Summary

  • An Alberta classroom teacher makes between $56,000 and $104,000+.
  • An Alberta principal makes between $80,000 and $128,000.
  • An Alberta superintendent makes between $104,000 and $128,000.

Are Alberta Registries Open on Weekends?

As Alberta registry services are private entities, they are free to determine their hours of operation. There are no provincial rules that dictate that they be open on weekends.

Are Alberta Registries open on Weekends? Some registries, such as Alberta One-Stop Registry, are open 7 days a week, while some others are closed on Saturday and/or Sunday.

*Albert One-Stop Registry is closed on the 2nd Sunday of every month.

Using this handy link here, you will find an interactive Alberta Registries map. You can find the registry agent closest to you that is open on the weekend.

In Summary

  • Some Alberta Registries are open on Weekends, and some are not.
  • Alberta Registry agents are private companies that make their own hours.
  • Use the interactive map to find a nearby registry office for directions and hours and days of operation.

Can You Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck in Alberta?

You have probably heard that it is illegal in Alberta to ride in the back of a truck. Yet, you have seen people in the back of a pickup truck during a parade, or in a work truck doing a job. So what’s the truth?

Can You Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck in Alberta? It is illegal in Alberta for a passenger to ride on the outside of the vehicle, and this includes the back of a pickup truck. There are specific exceptions in the law for certain work situations, parades, and other circumstances that require special approval.

When you are driving, you must not allow anyone to ride on the outside of your vehicle. This includes the open box of a pick up truck. You and the other person can be charged for this offence.

https://www.alberta.ca/traffic-laws.aspx

Here is the actual wording of the law according to the Alberta Traffic Safety Act:

Section 85 “Riding or Being Towed on Outside of Vehicle”. Source

A person shall not ride or permit any other person to ride on any portion of a motor vehicle that is outside of the passengers’ or driver’s cabin or cab of the motor vehicle.

There are some specific exceptions to the law that do allow you to ride in the bed of a pickup truck.

Exceptions to the Law

It is only legal to ride in the back of a pick up truck in the following scenarios:

  • in those circumstances where the nature of the person’s occupation requires the person to ride in the box of a truck, or
  • where the person is engaged or otherwise employed in agricultural, horticultural or livestock raising operations and riding in the box of a truck is directly related to one or more of those operations;
  • in or on a fire-fighting vehicle;
  • in or on a vehicle engaged in highway construction or maintenance;
  • in or on a vehicle forming part of an entertainment exhibition that has been approved by the council of the municipality within which the exhibition is taking place; 
  • on a maintenance or service vehicle on which a special seat or stand has been affixed providing for the safety of the person so riding;
  • in a mobile treatment centre module mounted on the back of a truck that meets the requirements for a commercial vehicle equipped with a mobile treatment centre module established in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulation (AR 121/2009), for the purposes of transporting injured or ill workers
  • from a work site to the nearest health care facility when an ambulance is not available, or 
  • to meet an ambulance.

As you can see, there are exceptions to the rule for work, parades or emergency situations, otherwise it is not legal to have passengers riding in the back of your truck.

For example: you can not just toss the kids in the back of the truck and head to the grocery store. You would likely receive a fine for doing so.

In Summary

  • It is not legal to have passengers riding in the back of a pickup truck in Alberta.
  • There are specific exceptions to the rule for things like parades, emergencies, and certain work activities.
  • You can face fines for allowing passengers to ride on the outside of your vehicle.

Is Hitchhiking Legal in Alberta?

Many people use hitchhiking as a regular mode of travel. Most people only do it in emergency situations. Sometimes you don’t have a choice. But is it legal?

Is hitchhiking legal in Alberta? There is no legislation prohibiting hitchhiking in Alberta. However, individual municipalities may have their own bylaws within city limits. Hitchhiking outside city limits on provincial roads and highways is currently legal in Alberta, though not recommended.

Full Alberta Traffic Safety Act

Edmonton is an example of city where it is explicitly illegal to hitchhike within city limits.

Here is a screenshot of the Edmonton Hitchhiking Bylaw:

Source: Part 4 of Edmonton Bylaw regarding hitchiking.

Check with your local bylaws before making your trip.

In Summary

  • There is no provincial law against hitchhiking in Alberta, Canada.
  • Some municipalities have their own bylaws, making hitchhiking illegal within town or city limits.
  • Edmonton is an example of a city where hitchhiking is illegal.
  • Generally speaking, anywhere that has laws forbidding hitchhiking, has allowable exceptions for emergency situations.
  • While hitchhiking in most areas of Alberta is legal, authorities warn about the dangers of this activity, and strongly advise against it.

Does Alberta Have Public Auto Insurance?

In Canada, every province can choose to do auto insurance however they want. Some are private industries, and some are publicly funded.

Does Alberta have public auto insurance? Alberta does not have public auto insurance. The auto insurance in Alberta is a purely private industry only.

While the insurance agencies are private and independent, they are overseen by the Alberta Automobile Insurance Rate Board (AIRB).

Wether a province has public or private insurance, either way, auto insurance is mandatory to drive in Canada.

Every province and territory in Canada technically has access to some form of private insurance. Some are purely private, like Alberta, but some are a hybrid.

A province with a hybrid auto insurance structure generally means there is a certain amount of mandatory coverage from the public system, while you can add extra services privately.

Provinces and Territories Private or Hybrid Auto Insurance Chart

Province/TerritoryPrivate or Hybrid
AlbertaPrivate
Newfoundland/LabradorPrivate
Nova ScotiaPrivate
Prince Edward IslandPrivate
New BrunswickPrivate
OntarioPrivate
YukonPrivate
North West TerritoriesPrivate
Nunavut Private
British ColumbiaHybrid
ManitobaHybrid
Saskatchewan Hybrid
QuebecHybrid

Source

Of the 13 total Canadian Provinces and Territories, 9 of them are purely private. The rest are mostly public with some form of private additions.

In Summary

  • Alberta does not have public auto insurance.
  • The Alberta auto insurance industry is purely private, and overseen by the A.I.R.B.
  • Alberta is 1 of 9 Provinces and Territories that are private.
  • The other 4 Provinces and Territories have public auto insurance or a hybrid.

Is it Legal for a Woman to be Shirtless in Alberta?

The matter of public nudity is handled at the Federal level in Canada. It is a criminal matter that extends across the country, not just Alberta.

Is it Legal for a Woman to be Shirtless in Alberta, Canada? Nudity in public is currently illegal everywhere in Canada. Section 174 of the Canadian Criminal Code makes it illegal to be nude in a public place, or in a private place that can be seen by the the public. There are petitions by activist groups attempting to get the law removed or changed.

Section 174 of the Canadian Criminal Code

The law is a bit vague and leaves the door open for interpretation on a few issues.

Some people fighting for a change to the law have argued it is too vague and violates certain rights and freedoms. For instance, the wording might suggest you are a criminal if you are nude in your home and someone can see you in the window.

The issue of women being shirtless, the question we are discussing here, is not cut and dry according to the law. At least not when it comes to enforcement.

By the letter of the law, it would be a crime for a woman to be bare chested in public. It would come down to the environment where it happened, and whether or not someone made a complaint. If the nudity was coupled with other activities that are criminal or a nuisance to the public, there would likely be a complaint by a member of the public, and you would be charged accordingly.

Here is the nudity law from the Canadian Criminal Code:

Nudity

  • 174 (1) Every one who, without lawful excuse,
  • (a) is nude in a public place, or
  • (b) is nude and exposed to public view while on private property, whether or not the property is his own,is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

The second section gives a broad definition of nudity:

Nude

(2) For the purposes of this section, a person is nude who is so clad as to offend against public decency or order.

This is a broad definition of nude as it uses words like ”offend” and ”decency”. It is expected that you use common sense.

If a woman walked shirtless through a crowded mall, or around a public beach, especially where there is children, there would likely be a problem. People would complain, and by the letter of this law, you could face criminal consequences.

In Summary

  • Public nudity is a crime in Canada according to section 174 of the Canadian Criminal Code.
  • Nudity is defined in the law as ”a person is nude who is so clad as to offend against public decency or order.”
  • While aspects of the law seem vague and broad reaching, common sense plays a role in this issue.
  • There are activist groups with petitions who have been trying to remove this law or have it changed.

Can You Record Someone Without their Consent in Alberta?

The laws regarding the recording of people are handled at the Federal level in Canada. It applies to not only Alberta, but across the country.

Can you record someone without their consent in Alberta? According to section 184 of the Canadian Criminal Code, Canada is a one-party consent country. This means you can record without consent if at least 1 participant of the conversation is consenting. It is illegal to record from a 3rd party perspective if nobody in the conversation gives consent or has knowledge of it, where there is an ”expectation of privacy”.

Section 184 of the Canada Criminal Code

This answer should not replace actual legal advice. You should read through the law yourself to gain an adequate understand of all the circumstances involved.

In a nutshell, it is legal to secretly record a conversation if you are a member of the conversation, or have consent from a member of the conversation. But only if there is not an ”expectation of privacy” in the situation.

If you record a private conversation without consent or implied consent, you could be guilty of a federal crime, and face up to 5 years in prison.

184 (1) Every person who, by means of any electro-magnetic, acoustic, mechanical or other device, knowingly intercepts a private communication is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Section 184 ”Interception”

The law then goes on to lay out the ”exceptions”. This is the Saving Provision.

There is a bit more to this law than these screenshots, but this is the bulk of it.

In Summary

  • Canada is a one-party consent country.
  • It is legal (in certain circumstances) to record someone’s conversation without their consent if you are a participant of the conversation or have consent from a member of the conversation.
  • Outside of these parameters, it is a federal crime to record a private conversation.