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Cannabis Act

s. 11 Cannabis Importing and Exporting

Importing and exporting

  • Cannabis Act
  • Cannabis Act
Maximum sentence
14 years (indictable) / 6 months, a $5,000 fine, or both (summary)
Classification
Hybrid

Last verified: June 2026 · Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

The law says

Cannabis Act s. 11
Verify on justice.gc.ca(opens in a new tab)
  • (1)Unless authorized under this Act, the importation or exportation of cannabis is prohibited.
  • (2)Unless authorized under this Act, it is prohibited to possess cannabis for the purpose of exporting it.
  • (3)Every person that contravenes subsection (1) or (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, to a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, or (ii) in the case of an organization, to a fine of not more than $300,000.
Amendment History (1)
  • 2018, c. 16, s. 11

Justice Laws is the authoritative version. If this copy and it ever differ, Justice Laws wins.

Immigration

Where this offence sits under IRPA

Importing or exporting cannabis without authorization is hybrid. On indictment, the top sentence is 14 years. Moving cannabis across the border is still illegal, even though cannabis is legal inside Canada, and it is a common issue at the border. IRPA s.36(3)(a) treats it as indictable. The 14-year maximum is serious criminality under s.36(1)(a).

This is how the law sorts the offence, not a reading of any one record. An officer decides each case.

IRPA sections involved

Guides that explain this section

Drug Possession & Canada EntryMarijuana Conviction & Canada Entry: Can You Cross the Border?

Related sections

Cannabis Act s. 10Cannabis SellingHybridCannabis Act s. 12Cannabis ProductionHybridCDSA s. 6Importing and ExportingHybrid