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← Back to Law ExplorerLast verified: June 2026 · Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Cannabis ActHybrid
§CAN-10

Cannabis Selling

Selling

Cannabis Act
Maximum Sentence

14 years (indictable) / up to 18 months (summary, to a minor)

Classification: Hybrid
🍁 Immigration Impact

Selling cannabis, or any substance held out to be cannabis, is a hybrid offence with a 14-year indictable maximum, with selling to a minor treated more severely. Under IRPA s.36(3)(a) it is deemed indictable, and a 14-year maximum is serious criminality under s.36(1)(a). Criminal rehabilitation is the usual pathway because deemed rehabilitation does not apply to serious criminality.

Legal Text, Criminal Code s. CAN-10

10 (1) Unless authorized under this Act, it is prohibited to sell cannabis, or any substance represented or held out to be cannabis, to (a) an individual who is 18 years of age or older; (b) an individual who is under 18 years of age; or (c) an organization. (2) Unless authorized under this Act, it is prohibited to possess cannabis for the purpose of selling it contrary to any of paragraphs (1)(a) to (c). (5) Subject to section 51, every person that contravenes any of paragraphs (1)(a) to (c) or subsection (2) (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years; or (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable (i) in the case of an individual who contravenes paragraph (1)(a) or (c), or subsection (2) other than by possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling it contrary to paragraph (1)(b), to a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, (ii) in the case of an individual who contravenes paragraph (1)(b), or subsection (2) if the possession was for the purpose of selling the cannabis contrary to paragraph (1)(b), to a fine of not more than $15,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 18 months, or to both, or (iii) in the case of an organization, to a fine of not more than $100,000.

Amendment History (1)
2018, c. 16, s. 10
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