Is Shatter Legal to Buy in Canada?

You might have heard that cannabis is legal in Canada but it’s hard to believe they would have an entirely permissible approach to the substance. This belief can lead to some uncertainty about which cannabis products are legal and which aren’t. Until 2019, for instance, it was still illegal to consume some forms of the plant but not others. Shatter is a type of cannabis concentrate that has similarities to hash, it is extremely potent and an excellent choice for experienced users who want a fast acting high. But what are the current legalities around this form of cannabis? 

Cannabis in Canada 

Cannabis was legalised for medicinal use in Canada in 2001 in response to public opinion, but it wasn’t legal for recreational use until 2018. Cannabis was legalized in Canada under the Prime Ministership of Justine Trudeau whose bill passed a second reading in The House of Commons Canada. 

Part of the reason Cannabis was legalised for recreational use as well as to reduce crimes and long prison sentences associated with using and dealing with the substance. Trudeau’s government argument that legalising Cannabis would tackle inequalities in the criminal justice system that fell disproportionately on marginalized communities. 

The legalization of cannabis has been broadly successful in Canada, the sale and use of cannabis are now controlled and taxed and there is less pressure on the criminal justice system to deal with light offenders. The idea is catching on and US States such as New Jersey and Montana are joining the movement.

The journey to legalization 

Canada’s journey to the legalization of cannabis began in 2001 when, due to public pressure, the government was forced to consider the issue. Legalising cannabis for medicinal purposes in the country was the first time cannabis had been legal there since it was outlawed in 1923. 

In the 2010s under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, there was a strong argument for the legality of cannabis to alleviate criminality and foster more equality in Canada. An initial bill was passed in 2017 which was passed by a second reading a year later. This meant that from October 2018 cannabis was legal in Canada. 

The use of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes has been legal in Canada since 17 October 2018, however, its legalization is regulated under terms similar to that of alcohol. You cannot produce cannabis at home or distribute it through unofficial channels. The legalization has been augmented with stricter penalties for selling it to minors and driving under the influence. 

What is legal?

Since the time that cannabis was made officially legal in Canada in October 2018 anyone over the age of 18 is allowed to possess up to 30 grams of dried or non-dried cannabis in public. It is also legal to buy cannabis and cannabis oil from licensed retailers such as Ahuevo in Vancouver BC. 

The act made cannabis legal in Canada but individual provinces still have responsibility for determining the rules around how it is distributed and sold. But regardless of the territory you are still legally permitted to possess and consume legal quantities of cannabis. This means you can enjoy many types of Bud and cannabis products. 

When you visit a store like Ahuevo online or offline you will be able to browse a variety of flowers grown specifically for quality and effect. You will find hybrid flowers, pre-rolled joints, concentrates, edibles, CBD products, and shakes. Not all of these products were initially legal, in 2018 it was only plants, sprays and capsules that were allowed.  

What is not legal? 

Although cannabis was legalised back in 2018 that didn’t mean that all forms of the plant were authorised for sale. In the beginning there were only three categories of cannabis product that could be legally sold in Provinces, these were flowers, oral sprays, and capsules. So, it was not possible to legally sell edibles, extracts, and topicals. 

On 1st May 2019 the laws surrounding cannabis in Canada changed again and an excuse tax was introduced on products that contain THC. At the same time the government introduced three new classes of THC based products, these were edibles  extracts and topicals. It has paved the way for a more diverse cannabis product range. 

In relation to cannabis in Canada there is now no restriction on what cannabis can be sold, you can legally buy edibles, concentrates, extracts, vapes, and flowers from online stores and high street stores. There are, however, still regulations surrounding the amounts you can buy and sell and the government has issued advice on storing different forms of cannabis into the home. 

Is Shatter legal?

Shatter is a cannabis extract and was therefore not legal to buy and sell in Canada until May 2019. It gets its name due to the look and texture of the product. Shatter is made from resin, it is yellow, hard and glassy. Shatter will break when snapped in two which is how it earns its name. 

Shatter is a relatively new development in the extract cannabis portfolio. It has its roots in hashish production but can’t be traced back further than the 1990s when experimental hashish production began. Shatter has several advantages for cannabis users, it has a high THC content and it is very convenient, especially for vapes.

The main benefit of shatter is the higher THC levels so this product suits experienced cannabis users, but that’s not all it has to offer. Shatter is a concentrate and must be burned to release the properties, this means it has a fast onset period. It is also very convenient, it can be stored easily and doesn’t deteriorate like buds and flowers. 

Summary 

Cannabis has been legal in Canada since October 2018 when a bill was passed through the House of Commons Canada by the government led by Justin Trudeauthe. Initially it was only flowers, sprays, and capsules that were legal. In May 2019 changes were made to include more legal forms of cannabis, these are edibles, extracts and topicals, including a concentrate called “shatter”.