Can I bring weed bought in Washington across Canadian border? Know these rules

Tourists from Canada account for the vast majority of international visitors to Bellingham, Seattle and other cities in Washington state.

Whatcom County is one of the three busiest land border crossings between the United States and Canada, as the Herald previously reported.

Canadians accounted for the largest portion of the roughly 2.6 million international visitors who traveled to Washington state in 2025 — 1.6 million, according to Road Genius.

Up to 750,000 people were expected to visit the Seattle region during the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, McClatchy Media previously reported, many of them to attend World Cup games at Seattle’s Lumen Field.

The Evergreen State is known for many things, including its seemingly perpetual rain, abundance of trees and stunning mountains.

Culturally, Washington state is also associated with embracing cannabis use. It was one of the first states to legalize recreational usage in 2012, passing legislation along with Colorado.

If you’re planning to cross the Canadian border, you may be wondering about the rules for traveling with weed.

Can you buy weed legally in Washington state and bring it into Canada? Can you transport cannabis products from British Columbia to the United States?

Here’s what to know:

Can I bring cannabis from Washington state into Canada?

Although recreational cannabis use is legal in both British Columbia and Washington state, it is against the law to transport cannabis into Canada — or bring it back.

“It is illegal to take cannabis across the Canadian border, whether you are entering or leaving the country,” the Canadian government said on its website, even if you’re traveling to an area where “cannabis has been legalized or decriminalized.”

This includes all products with cannabis — even if it only contains CBD — such as edibles, extracts and topicals.

If you use cannabis for medical purposes, you’ll need a permit or an exemption authorized by Health Canada to bring your prescription drugs or products into Canada.

According to the Canadian government, these exemptions are issued on a case-by-case basis — and “only in rare and exceptional circumstances.”

You must still declare it with the Canada Border Services Agency when entering Canada.

Can tourists buy weed in Washington state?

To buy cannabis in Washington state, you do not need to live in the state.

You must be at least 21 years old and present a government-issued valid ID to purchase cannabis products, according to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Tourists who purchase weed products in Washington state are still expected to know the relevant laws regarding cannabis consumption.

For instance, you’re now allowed to smoke cannabis in public places such as streets, sidewalks or parks.

The Washington State Department of Licensing defines driving under the influence of intoxicants as “operating a vehicle while affected by alcohol, drugs or both.”

If your blood has a THC concentration of 5.00 or higher “within two hours after driving,” you can be found guilty of DUI, state law says.

If driving with cannabis in the car, all products must be sealed shut in their original packaging, or kept in the trunk or “some other area of the vehicle not normally occupied by the driver or other passengers,” according to the Revised Code of Washington.

The glove or utility compartment doesn’t count under state law.

What are penalties for failing to declare cannabis?

Failure to declare cannabis can be “an expensive mistake,” according to the Canada Border Services Agency.

You could receive a fine of up to $2,000 in Canadian currency, equivalent to about $1,410 in U.S. dollars.

This story was originally published July 4, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Can I bring weed bought in Washington across Canadian border? Know these rules."