If you were convicted of simple possession of cannabis for an amount that would have been legal after October 17, 2018 (30 grams or less for adults), you can apply for a free cannabis record suspension through the Parole Board of Canada. There is no application fee and no waiting period. The program was created after cannabis legalization to address convictions for conduct that is no longer a criminal offence.
What Is the Cannabis Record Suspension?
When Canada legalized cannabis on October 17, 2018, tens of thousands of Canadians still had criminal records for simple cannabis possession — an offence that was now legal. To address this, the Parole Board of Canada created a specific cannabis record suspension program under the Cannabis Act and amendments to the Criminal Records Act.
The cannabis record suspension:
- Costs $0 (no Parole Board application fee)
- Requires no waiting period (you can apply even if you just completed your sentence)
- Is processed through the Parole Board of Canada
- Results in the same outcome as a standard record suspension — your conviction is sealed in CPIC
Who Qualifies
You qualify for a cannabis record suspension if your conviction is for:
Simple possession of cannabis — a conviction under:
- Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (simple possession of cannabis, prior to legalization)
- The equivalent provision under the old Narcotic Control Act
And the amount involved would have been legal for an adult to possess after legalization — generally 30 grams or less of dried cannabis, or the equivalent in other forms.
Combined convictions: If you have a cannabis possession conviction plus other minor cannabis-related convictions (such as possessing cannabis with related paraphernalia), special instructions apply. Check the PBC’s cannabis instructions page before applying.
You do NOT qualify if:
- Your cannabis conviction involved trafficking, production, or importing
- The amount exceeded the legal limit
- You have other non-cannabis convictions on your record that would disqualify you from a standard record suspension
If you have other non-cannabis convictions in addition to a cannabis possession conviction, you may need to apply through the standard record suspension process instead of (or in addition to) the cannabis program.
How to Apply for a Cannabis Record Suspension
Step 1: Download the cannabis record suspension application guide and forms from canada.ca. The PBC has specific forms for cannabis applications — do not use the standard record suspension forms.
Step 2: Complete the forms with your conviction information.
Step 3: Submit your application by mail to:
Parole Board of Canada
Record Suspension — Cannabis
410 Laurier Ave West
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R1
No fee is required. Do not include a certified cheque.
Step 4: Wait for processing. The cannabis program is designed to be faster than standard applications, but processing times vary based on volume.
Cannabis Record Suspension vs. Expungement
The cannabis record suspension and cannabis expungement are different outcomes:
| Cannabis Record Suspension | Cannabis Expungement | |
|---|---|---|
| Effect | Seals the record (still exists in protected database) | Permanently destroys the record |
| Cost | $0 | $0 |
| Administered by | Parole Board of Canada | Parole Board of Canada |
| Can be revoked | Yes | No |
| Result | Record sealed | Record erased permanently |
Expungement is available for cannabis possession convictions under the Expungement of Historically Unjust Convictions Act — it permanently destroys the record rather than sealing it. The PBC handles both programs. An expungement may be preferable if available to you, as it is a more complete remedy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Parole Board of Canada does not charge an application fee for cannabis record suspensions. The standard $50 PBC fee is waived. The program was created after cannabis legalization in 2018 to address convictions for conduct that is no longer a criminal offence. There is also no waiting period — you can apply even if your sentence was recently completed.
Simple possession of cannabis in an amount that would have been legal for an adult after October 17, 2018 — generally 30 grams or less of dried cannabis. This covers convictions under Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and equivalent provisions of the older Narcotic Control Act. Convictions for cannabis trafficking, production, or importing do not qualify for the cannabis program.
A cannabis record suspension seals your conviction in CPIC — the record still exists in a protected database and could theoretically be disclosed in very specific circumstances. A cannabis expungement permanently destroys the record — it is erased entirely and cannot be disclosed. Both are free and processed by the Parole Board of Canada. Expungement is the more complete remedy, so it’s worth checking whether you qualify for expungement rather than just a record suspension.
This guide reflects the Parole Board of Canada’s cannabis record suspension program as of 2026. Visit canada.ca for the current application guide and forms.
