Many Canadians wonder whether or not it’s safe to buy their weed online – especially since you can’t see or touch the product before purchasing it.

However, buying cannabis online can be a very good choice if you are looking for convenience or privacy when purchasing products. Some people get confused when it comes to legalities and online cannabis purchases. Others are concerned about safety factors when buying through an online dispensary.

The good news is that buying weed online is not a complicated process and there are only a few rules you need to know to ensure the cannabis you are purchasing is safe and legal.

Your Ultimate Guide to Buying Weed Online

  1. Know Your Product

Devoted cannabis consumers know what they want and need when it comes to marijuana products. New users, however, need to be careful when ordering cannabis online if they’re not used to consuming these products. Here is a guide to help find a legal cannabis dispensary in Ontario.

With so many products to choose from, from consumption methods to hybrid options, it’s important to know what you need the product to do and how you are comfortable consuming it.

If you’re new to consuming cannabis products, it’s important to understand the difference between THC and CBD. THC is the psychoactive ingredient that causes intoxication while CBD does less so and is used more for relaxation.

Never hesitate to contact the business to ask questions about their products. Also, make sure you start with small quantities to get an idea of how cannabis and its derivatives will affect you mentally and physically.

  1. Look at the Prices

Overall, buying weed from an online dispensary is going to be cheaper than purchasing it from a local dispensary. This is because online cannabis businesses have less overhead and can charge lower prices.

Plus, in order to retain customers, they will often offer special discounts for repeat purchases.

However, be careful if the prices are too good to be true! Many unlicensed and illegal online retailers of marijuana products will drastically undercut other businesses to get your money.

This can be a ploy to scam you of your dollars or they may offer less than high-quality products at cheaper prices. Shop around and compare prices before ordering. 

  1. Delivery Options

In Canada, it is legal to ship cannabis through Canada Post. As long as the product is in an unmarked package designed to mask the smell, companies can ship your purchase to your door.

But you can also order online through local dispensaries owned by the government. Many will use Canada Post but some provinces offer express shipping and delivery.

When it comes to having private delivery companies bring you your weed, only British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan offer this option.

If you do have cannabis products delivered to your door, make sure someone of legal age is there to receive the package. The deliverers are allowed to ask for a government ID to confirm this. Also, in some provinces, the person accepting the package may have to be the same person whose name is on the shipping label.

  1. Shop Local

You don’t have to purchase from a strictly online cannabis retailer to have your weed delivered to you. As mentioned above, government-run and privately-owned dispensaries can deliver and ship your products to your home.

Local dispensaries struggle to keep up with online retailers since online cannabis businesses can charge less due to lower overhead.

If you’re interested in supporting your local economy and community, but want to take advantage of the convenience and privacy involved with buying weed online, consider ordering through businesses in your area.

Plus, if you are a new cannabis consumer, it may be worth visiting a recreational dispensary in person to get an idea of what products you want to try. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you make your decision based on your unique wants and needs.

  1. Be Safe

Not all online dispensaries are created equally and many of them operate unlicensed. This is, in fact, illegal in Canada and you can run into trouble if you purchase from these retailers. Apart from the legal ramifications, you could receive poor-quality cannabis that puts your health at risk or run into scam artists who steal your money.

That’s not to say that you should avoid ordering your weed online at all costs – you just need to be safe when doing so.

Here are some pointers for buying marijuana online from licensed and reputable businesses:

  • Check to see if the online dispensary is registered with the Canadian Government.
  • Verify the business address to make sure the company truly exists. 
  • Call the contact number and ask questions about their business.
  • Look at the website to see if it appears professional. Poorly designed websites are a sign that they were created in a hurry.
  • Check the website for information. Legit online cannabis retailers will provide you with information about their business as well as privacy policies.
  • Visit their social media pages. If a business has a bunch of followers but no activity, this could mean that it bought those followers to look good. Legit companies will be active on their social media accounts and engage with their customers.
  • Beware of amazing deals. We mentioned this before but it’s worth adding to this list. If cannabis products are steeply discounted compared to other online stores or dispensaries, stay away.
  • Check the business’s history through the Better Business Bureau. This site will list any complaints from dissatisfied customers as well as issue alerts based on bad business practices.
  • Trust your gut and stay away from sites that give you a bad feeling. 

You can always reach out to fellow cannabis users for their recommendations on buying weed online.

Buying Weed Online: Safety First

One of the key takeaways here is that you need to be safe when purchasing your marijuana online.

Make sure you understand the product you are buying as well as the signs to look for when it comes to choosing a licensed and legitimate online dispensary.


Nicolas Desjardins

Hello everyone, I am the main writer for SIND Canada. I've been writing articles for more than 12 years and I like sharing my knowledge. I'm currently writing for many websites and newspapers. I always keep myself very informed to give you the best information. All my years as a computer scientist made me become an incredible researcher. You can contact me on our forum or by email at [email protected].