Where to Find Weed in Whistler | 2024 Update
Weed has been legal in Canada since 2018, yet you still can’t legally buy it in Whistler… until NOW!
A Little Bud has just opened their Whistler location right down the road from us in Function!
As of February 2nd, 2024 Spirit Leaf Cannabis is opening in Creekside!
https://www.instagram.com/p/C20oEmcvMxo/
The article below was written pre- A Little Bud.
So, what gives? Everyone around town is asking, “Where can I buy weed in Whistler?”
Yes, recreational use of cannabis is legal all across Canada, but in Whistler, the supply is well … dry.
There are no legal dispensaries in town. Both locals and visitors alike are wondering why they don’t have the same access as everywhere else in the country. It’s 2022 and a Whistler bud shop doesn’t exist.
Confused? Firstly, you know it’s legal in Canada to buy and use recreational cannabis. Second, you know British Columbia is the place to get the good stuff. Third, you might be asking yourself, “Isn’t Whistler supposed to be a party ski-town?” All of these assumptions are true.
But when it comes to weed, this town is officially dry.
What Gives, Why Doesn’t Whistler Have a Marijuana Dispensary?
Although it has been a long wait, it seems that the wait may soon be over. The Whistler Municipality discussed a report on 6 December 2021, that will pave the way for a Whistler dispensary.
The report gave recommendations on how to permit and regulate cannabis retailers under a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) framework. This permit works on a case-by-case basis and will be a mandatory application before receiving a development permit or business licence.
As stated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler Cannabis Retail Strategy report, “This approach provides the RMOW with the authority to decide whether each application should be approved or denied based on its merits, such as context, neighbourhood fit, public interest and the ability to limit the number of locations.”
So what does this mean for the number of potential weed dispensaries in Whistler? It is suggested to allow one shop in Function Junction, one in Creekside, two locations in the Whistler Village, and a proposed location in Nesters Plaza.
This will see a drastic change from Whistler’s prohibited stance on cannabis retail and have the community join the likes of the District of North Vancouver, News Westminster, and Port Coquitlam Municipalities, which have operated under the TUP system.
Municipal staff started working on the regulations and necessary bylaw amendments and engagement processes in late 2021. They aim to engage with community representatives in 2022 for feedback on their proposals and objectives.
Although there is no set date for the first Whistler cannabis shop to open its doors, we are hopeful that locals and tourists will be able to easily access and enjoy a post-skiing apres joint sooner rather than later.
So, Where Can You Buy Weed in Whistler Today?
We know you are wandering around, looking for the village cannabis dispensary. But unfortunately you are out of luck.
Officially, you can’t buy weed anywhere in Whistler today. There are no dispensaries or retail cannabis stores here. There are, however, many options between Vancouver and the mountain, plus a couple of licensed weed dispensaries in Pemberton.
Cannabis Retail Stories in Squamish
Squamish is about 45 minutes south of Whistler, and it’s an epic town for outdoor adventure including biking, hiking, and rock climbing. But, the city has long be supportive of cannabis businesses, even before the recreational legislation came into play.
Sky High Cannabis
38054 2nd Ave, Squamish
Family owned, operated, and centrally located just off Cleveland Ave. in downtown Squamish, Sky High carries favourite strains like Girl Scout Cookies and Bubba Kush, plus interesting strain innovations as well. They sell a line of topicals and bath bombs, infused with cannabinoids that may have health benefits. Looking for CBD? Check out their high-CBD oral tinctures. Sky High also offers everything from pre-rolls to edibles, and is a great pit stop on route to Whistler. They now also deliver to Whistler for a $10 fee.
99 North
1200 Hunter Place
Residing in a new location and offering delivery to Whistler, the longest standing and much loved little medical dispensary in Squamish is now operating again. They have been around long enough to know what crowd pleasers to carry, and how to provide the one-on-one support medical patients need. Sign up is easy, no matter your health concern. Everyone who visits 99 North comes away with a smile and their medicine in hand. It’s possibly one of the friendliest and cutest pot shops in BC.
Squamish Cannabis
38243 Cleveland Ave
With a reputation for delivering a high-quality cannabis experience to the Squamish community, the team at Squamish Cannabis are all about delivering a service you won’t forget. Enjoy their large range of products through delivery or visit their detailed storefront. Their dedication to elevating the cannabis culture in the Squamish community will keep you going back for more.
The Local Leaf Cannabis
40437 Tantalus Road
Starting out in Terrace, The Local Leaf Cannabis has expanded and opened its doors to Squamish. With a wide variety of products, they have designed their stores with a focus on their customers, from the first-time consumer to the knowledgeable customer. Their self-checkout is perfect for those who know exactly what they want, and their education centre is there to help those who might be more green to the life of cannabis.
Cannabis Retail Stores Pemberton
Another option is to head North from Whistler. Pemberton is an idyllic mountain town with farms, backcountry access, and now – weed. Why not take a Pemberton day trip on your quest to get green?
Coast Mountain Cannabis
7339 Old Mill Road
Proud to be servicing the Pemberton community, Coast Mountain Cannabis takes pride in their sustainable and organically grown weed. Working with local suppliers and hiring local talent, the team at Coast Mountain provides high-quality, certified organic cannabis product. They specialise in dried flower, offering indica, sativa, and hybrid options. If you are looking for a craft-style bud, Coast Mountain Cannabis is one to check out. certified organic cannabis
GP Cannabis
7423 Frontier Street
Pemberton’s online licensed cannabis supply is a local favourite. GP Cannabis stocks all legal cannabis, in just about every flavour you can imagine. Only a 20-minute drive from Whistler Village, take a quick road trip here to restock, and to restock legally. Their store is beautiful inside and out, and the staff gets top customer service ratings everywhere it counts.
Hemp Phase Cannabis Dispensary
7433 Frontier Street
One of the newer cannabis shops to pop up in Pemberton, Hemp Phase offers everything from flower and pre-rolls to edibles and oils. Their easy-to-navigate online store makes it a breeze to order if you know what you want. For those needing some guidance or are happy to browse, the friendly shop front located on one of Pemberton’s main streets is open daily, and their staff are eager to help with any questions.
Cannabis Near Me (Weed Delivery in Whistler)
The future is here – you can now legally buy BC bud online.
With shops like 99 North now delivering, it takes some travel out of buying weed. But what if you don’t meet their minimum spend or you are looking for a cheaper delivery fee? The best part about legal cannabis in Canada is that you can go shopping for bud online, and one of the best sites is the BC government’s.
That’s right, the government of BC sells marijuana! Keep in mind that all other online retailers in the province are not regulated or approved, but the government-run option is a safe bet.
Visit their online shop and get ready to be amazed at a world with open access to government weed!
Hot Tips for Ordering Weed Online in Whistler
- All orders shipped through Canada Post
- Flat shipping fee of $6.00 (CAD) + applicable taxes, per order.
- Government-issued ID required to pick up the package
Obviously, we can’t ignore the fact that there are many more illicit means of getting weed in Whistler. Websites like Leafly and Weedmaps make it extremely easy to find the closest weed dealer near you at any time of the day.
These resources don’t differentiate between those condoned by the local authorities or even those that follow federal regulation.
What About Weed Delivery in Whistler?
If you search Whistler on Weedmaps, a handful of places pop up. From high-end VIP services to local deliveries, there is a booming black market in our town. These places, while illegal, likely exist because there are no Whistler bud shops or a legal Whistler dispensary.
If you choose to shop on the black market, remember there is no consumer protection. Products might not be tested for toxins, they might be mislabeled, and you can’t really go to the authorities for customer service complaints. Buyer beware.
Are You an International Visitor to Whistler?
Here is what you need to know:
The rules for weed in Canada are generally pretty consistent from one coast to the other. There are minor provincial variations, and as Whistlerites have discovered, local ones. But, to get you started on where and when you can smoke weed in Whistler, here are the basic laws:
- You must be 19 years old in BC to buy or use marijuana.
- You can only have 30 grams of marijuana on your person at any time.
- You can only have 1000 grams of marijuana in your house at any time.
- You cannot smoke or vape marijuana near schools, provincial parks, or in cars or other motorised vehicles.
- You CAN smoke in a motorhome (RV, vans, etc included) so long as it’s a residence.
- You cannot smoke within 6 metres of a doorway or within a public building.
Where Can You Smoke Weed in Whistler?
Trying to find a space to smoke isn’t easy in Whistler
As we said, there are often restrictions on where you can smoke marijuana, depending on where you live. Whistler, even with a lack of pot shops, is no different. Whistler maintains a strict set of guidelines for smoking anything within the town – summarised here:
Weed in Whistler is Illegal When:
- Smoked inside a motor vehicle
- Smoked before operating a motor vehicle
- Smoked while participating in recreational activities such as skiing, mountain biking, or watersports
- Used in a way that is unsafe or could have adverse health effects
- Used in a way that is disrespectful, which means don’t smoke in front of children.
- Discarded as litter (don’t throw your joints on the ground)
- Purchased on the black market
- Smoked within 10 metres of the perimeter of an outdoor customer service area
- Smoked within 10-metres of a window, door, or vent of a building
- Used on the Valley Trail
- Used in public areas (e.g., Town Square, Village Common, Village Square, and Mountain Square) or on the Village Stroll
A good rule of thumb is if you can’t drink there, you likely can’t smoke marijuana there either. The local legislators have also asked that weed smokers stay away from the following areas (25 metres):
- Playgrounds
- Parks
- School property
- Sports fields
- Beaches
- Food concessions
- Picnic areas
- Skateboard parks
- The Valley Trail
- Transit stops or transit shelters
Importantly, we also think it prudent to highlight that many hotels and the mountain itself have their own sets of rules around smoking weed on their property.
Remember: You cannot smoke anything – tobacco, cannabis, etc – anywhere on Whistler Blackcomb property. This includes the buildings, the restaurants, the pistes, the gondolas, EVERYWHERE…
Check with your hotel to see if they have a designated smoking section, where you can use upon your visit.
How Much Does Weed Cost in Whistler?
Officially? Weed costs nothing in Whistler because there is nowhere to buy it!
However, if you are new to buying marijuana and are travelling from abroad, you might want to know what to expect once you get here.
Squamish Prices
- Per gram: $8.00 and up
- Preroll: $5.00 and Up
Vape Cartridge: $30.00 and up - Edible: $3.50 per piece and up
Pemberton Prices:
- Per gram: $7.00 and up
- Preroll: $6.00 and Up
Vape Cartridge: $32.00 and up - Edible: $2.50 per piece and up
BC Government Prices
- Per gram: $5.97 and up
- Preroll: $4.99 and Up
- Vape Cartridge: $12.97 and up
- Edible: $3.99 per piece and up
Whistler Weed is Just Around the Corner
Those who have patiently waited, and made the trips to Squamish, Pemberton, and Vancouver to buy their weed or order directly online, are in luck. The wait for weed in Whistler may be over sooner rather than later.
The plans to move forward with allocating multiple weed dispensaries in Whistler are moving ahead. We now have some allocated areas for store fronts as well as a model to follow to ensure that everything is run legally.
So hang in there, locals and visitors, and continue to support those shops and online retailers that have done so well to supply Whistler with cannabis. Show some extra love to those starting out in our Sea to Sky area, because before we know it, we will all be enjoying an apre joint from a Whistler weed shop.
Check back for updates over the next year as we keep close tabs on what is going on with Whistler marijuana, including Whistler dispensaries, legal challenges, and events.