Every year, millions of visitors make the trip to Niagara wine country — the vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the patios of Queen Street, the shows at the Shaw Festival. What many visitors don't realize until they arrive: Niagara-on-the-Lake has no cannabis stores. The town opted out of retail cannabis, which means if picking something up is part of your trip plans, you'll want to stop before you get there.
That's where we come in. Pepe Cannabis on Read Road in St. Catharines sits right on the route between the QEW and Niagara-on-the-Lake — making us one of the closest licensed dispensaries to NOTL and a natural stop on your way into wine country.
Planning Your Wine Country Trip
Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to dozens of wineries, from grand estates to small family producers, most clustered along the Niagara Parkway, Lakeshore Road, and the concession roads between Old Town and St. Davids. Add in Queen Street's shops and restaurants, the Shaw Festival's season of theatre, and the golf courses and orchards in between, and it's easy to fill a full weekend.
Most visitors arrive via the QEW, exiting toward Niagara-on-the-Lake through St. Catharines — which is exactly why a stop on Read Road fits so naturally into the drive.
Why Stop at Pepe Cannabis on the Way
- NOTL has no dispensaries. The town opted out of cannabis retail, so there's nowhere to buy once you're there. St. Catharines is your last convenient stop.
- We're right on the route. Read Road is minutes off the QEW on the St. Catharines side of the NOTL border — no detour required.
- Licensed and tested. As a licensed Ontario retailer, everything on our shelves is lab-tested, properly labelled, and legal — which matters, especially for visitors unfamiliar with the local market.
- Real guidance. Our budtenders can walk visitors through formats, potency, and Ontario's rules in a few friendly minutes — especially helpful if you're visiting from out of province or the U.S.
Know the Rules Before You Go
A few things every wine country visitor should know about cannabis in Ontario:
- 19+ with valid ID is required for any purchase.
- Never mix cannabis with alcohol. If wine tastings are on your itinerary, keep cannabis for a separate occasion — combining the two intensifies impairment and is a genuinely bad idea.
- Never drive impaired. Ontario has zero tolerance for impaired driving of any kind. If you're touring wineries, arrange a designated driver, tour shuttle, or car service regardless.
- Public consumption is restricted. Wineries, restaurants, patios, and most public spaces don't permit cannabis use — consume only where it's legal to do so, such as private accommodations that allow it.
- Crossing the border? It is illegal to take cannabis across the Canada–U.S. border in either direction, no exceptions. If you're a U.S. visitor, whatever you buy stays in Canada.
Make It Part of a Great Niagara Itinerary
A classic day on the route: exit the QEW into St. Catharines, make your stop at Pepe Cannabis on Read Road, then carry on to Niagara-on-the-Lake for the day — Queen Street's shops, a vineyard lunch, an evening show at the Shaw. If you're staying overnight at a rental that permits it, you're set for a relaxed evening in after the day's touring is done.
Planning the NOTL side of your trip? We've put together guides to help:
- Things to Do in Niagara-on-the-Lake: 2026 Guide
- Are There Any Cannabis Dispensaries in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
- Best Weed Dispensary in St. Catharines: 2026 Guide
Visit Us on Your Way In
📍 Pepe Cannabis — 532 Read Rd Unit 2, St. Catharines, ON
Minutes from the QEW on your way to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Stop in, and our team will get you sorted quickly so you can get on with your wine country weekend. Browse the menu ahead of time here.
FAQ
Are there any cannabis stores in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
No — Niagara-on-the-Lake opted out of retail cannabis, so there are no dispensaries in the town itself. The closest options are in neighbouring St. Catharines, including Pepe Cannabis on Read Road.
What's the closest dispensary to Niagara-on-the-Lake?
Pepe Cannabis at 532 Read Rd Unit 2 in St. Catharines is one of the closest licensed dispensaries to Niagara-on-the-Lake, located right on the main route in from the QEW.
Can I consume cannabis at a winery or restaurant in Niagara?
No. Wineries, restaurants, and patios don't permit cannabis consumption, and Ontario restricts public use. Consume only in places where it's legal, such as private accommodations that allow it — and never combine cannabis with alcohol.
Can American visitors buy cannabis in Ontario?
Yes — visitors aged 19+ with valid ID can purchase from licensed Ontario retailers. However, it is illegal to take cannabis across the border in either direction, so anything purchased must be consumed (legally) or disposed of before returning to the U.S.
Cannabis products are for adults 19+ in Ontario. Never drive impaired and never combine cannabis with alcohol. Please consume responsibly and only where permitted.
