Is CBD Legal to Ship in Ontario?
Yes — but not the way most people assume. In Canada, CBD (cannabidiol) is classified as a cannabis product under the federal Cannabis Act, regardless of its THC content. Unlike the United States, where hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC is treated as a separate category, Canada makes no such distinction. All CBD products are cannabis products, period.
This means shipping CBD in Ontario follows the exact same rules as shipping any other cannabis product: you need proper licensing, compliant packaging, and age verification (19+) at the door.
Legal CBD vs. Illegal CBD in Canada
The only legal CBD products in Canada are those produced by Health Canada-licensed processors and sold through authorized channels:
- Licensed cannabis retail stores (brick-and-mortar or online) authorized by the AGCO
- Provincial online stores like the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS)
- Licensed producers selling direct where permitted
CBD products sold outside these channels — imported from the U.S., sold on general ecommerce platforms without a cannabis licence, or marketed as "hemp extract" supplements — are illegal in Canada. Health Canada has been clear: no matter how the product is branded, if it contains CBD, it is a cannabis product.
Health Canada Packaging Requirements
All CBD products must meet the same Cannabis Regulations packaging rules that apply to any cannabis product:
- Child-resistant packaging — containers must meet child-safety standards
- Standardized cannabis symbol — the red THC warning symbol must appear on the label
- Health warnings — rotating health warning messages are required
- Plain packaging — limited use of colours, graphics, and branding
- No health claims — you cannot market CBD as a treatment for any condition
For delivery, the outer shipping container must be opaque and sealed, with no visible cannabis branding on the outside.
Age Verification: 19+ Required
Every CBD delivery in Ontario requires age verification at the point of handoff. The driver must check valid government-issued photo ID and confirm the recipient is 19 years of age or older. No exceptions — the package cannot be left at the door or with someone who cannot produce ID.
This is the same requirement that applies to all cannabis deliveries in Ontario, because CBD is cannabis under Canadian law.
How Weels Handles CBD Delivery
Weels makes compliant CBD delivery straightforward for licensed retailers:
- Built-in age verification — our driver app requires a government ID check before releasing the package. No ID, no delivery.
- Same-day delivery, 7 days a week — orders placed before 11 AM ET are delivered the same day across the GTA
- Digital audit trail — every ID check, delivery attempt, and proof of delivery is logged and timestamped
- Photo proof of delivery — a timestamped photo at the doorstep for your records
- Platform integrations — connect through Square, Shopify, or our REST API
Starting at $16 per package. No minimums, no contracts.
Get Started
If you're a licensed cannabis retailer selling CBD products in Ontario, Weels can handle your same-day delivery with full compliance. Sign up for free and start delivering today.