In Canada, there are several ways to legally cultivate cannabis, depending on your purpose and authorization. While recreational users can grow up to four plants per household under the Cannabis Act, those using cannabis for medical purposes have expanded options through Health Canada’s medical cannabis programs.

Patients with a valid medical prescription can apply for a medical cannabis personal grow licence under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). The number of cannabis plants you’re permitted to grow depends on your prescribed daily amount. Health Canada’s formula allows five indoor plants or two outdoor plants per gram of prescribed cannabis per day. For example, if your doctor prescribes 2 grams per day, you could be authorized to grow up to 10 indoor plants or 4 outdoor plants. This flexibility allows patients to manage their medicine independently while ensuring full legal compliance.

If you’re unable to grow your own plants, you can appoint a designated grower—someone authorized to cultivate on your behalf. This system ensures patients who are physically unable to maintain their gardens can still receive safe, personalized medical cannabis.

For those exploring the commercial side, there are two main types of production licences: Micro Cultivation and Standard Cultivation. A Micro Cultivation licence permits up to 2,150 square feet of canopy space for cannabis production, suitable for small-scale or craft growers. Standard Cultivation licences, on the other hand, have no size limits and are ideal for full-scale commercial producers. Each licence requires strict compliance with Health Canada’s security, recordkeeping, and quality-control standards, ensuring all cannabis produced meets national safety guidelines.

For more traditional farmers, obtaining an Industrial Hemp Licence allows cultivation of high-CBD, low-THC varieties specifically bred for oil extraction, wellness products, and sustainable fibre production, cultivated for oils and topicals rather than high-THC flower. These crops often use the same agricultural best practices—stable light cycles, organic soils, and consistent humidity—to ensure high-quality yields. Whether growing hemp or medical-grade cannabis, maintaining ideal conditions of 21°C–24°C, 18/6 light cycles for vegetative growth, and 12/12 for flowering is essential. Watch for the plant’s maturity by checking for amber or red pistils before harvesting.

At every level—personal, designated, or commercial—compliance with Health Canada is critical. Medical applications require detailed documentation and authorization from a doctor. Commercial applications require facility blueprints, security measures, and GMP compliance. An experienced Cannabis Consultant  can guide you through these steps to ensure everything is completed correctly and safely.

GrowLegally provides informed support for all types of cannabis cultivation applications across Canada, from personal grow licences to commercial cannabis licences. Our team has long assisted veterans, patients, and producers in navigating Health Canada’s process to achieve compliant, sustainable cannabis production. Learn more about cultivating safely and legally through a medical cannabis clinic in Toronto or anywhere in Canada at GrowLegally.ca.