This Prohibited Goods Policy lists items that may not be listed, sold, or offered through MarketMates, and is incorporated by reference into the Terms of Service. It applies to all operators and vendors. We update this list periodically as regulations change; continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of any updates.
Overview
MarketMates operates a national marketplace serving Canadian farmers markets, independent vendors, and shoppers. To protect the safety of our community and ensure the platform complies with Canadian federal and provincial law, certain goods and services are prohibited from being listed or sold through MarketMates — regardless of whether they are legal to possess privately.
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Safety
We prohibit goods that pose a risk of harm to buyers, the public, or the environment.
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Legal Compliance
We prohibit goods whose sale requires a licence or permit that most vendors do not hold.
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Community Trust
We prohibit goods that would undermine public trust in farmers markets as spaces for local food and crafts.
If you are unsure whether a specific product is permitted, email legal@marketmates.ca before listing it. We would rather clarify in advance than remove a listing after the fact.
Prohibited Items
The following categories of goods may not be listed, offered for sale, or sold through MarketMates under any circumstances, unless an explicit written exemption has been granted by MarketMates (see Operator Obligations below for the limited alcohol exception).
Tobacco & Nicotine Products
- Cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco
- Loose-leaf tobacco and roll-your-own supplies
- Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices
- Vaping liquids and pods (with or without nicotine)
- Smokeless tobacco (chew, snuff, snus)
- Heated tobacco products (e.g. IQOS sticks)
Sale of tobacco products at farmers markets requires a retail tobacco vendor licence under provincial law. MarketMates does not facilitate licenced tobacco retail.
Cannabis & Derivatives
- Cannabis flower, pre-rolls, and concentrates
- Cannabis-infused edibles and beverages
- Cannabis oils, tinctures, and capsules
- CBD products making health claims not approved by Health Canada
- Cannabis accessories marketed primarily for cannabis use
- Hemp-derived CBD at concentrations exceeding Natural Health Product regulations
Cannabis retail in Canada is restricted to provincially licenced retail stores. Farmers markets are not an approved distribution channel. CBD topical products that comply with NHP regulations may be permitted — contact us to confirm before listing.
Alcohol
- Beer, wine, cider, and spirits sold directly to consumers
- Home-brewed or unlicenced alcohol products
- Alcohol sold through pre-orders for market-day pickup
Operators running a licenced farmers market under a Special Occasions Permit or provincial direct-sales licence may apply for a written exemption from MarketMates. Contact legal@marketmates.ca. Sales must still comply fully with provincial liquor regulations.
Prescription & Controlled Drugs
- Prescription medications of any kind
- Controlled substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Natural health products with unauthorized health claims
- Unlicenced supplements making Disease Risk Reduction claims
- Products marketed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent a disease without a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN)
Weapons & Dangerous Goods
- Firearms (restricted or prohibited under the Criminal Code)
- Replica firearms and imitation firearms
- Prohibited knives (automatic, butterfly, gravity)
- Brass knuckles, spiked wristbands, and similar devices prohibited under s. 84 of the Criminal Code
- Tasers, stun guns, and conducted energy weapons
- Explosive devices and fireworks of any classification
- Bear spray and defensive sprays (where not legal to sell without a licence)
Hunting and kitchen knives marketed and sold for their primary legal purpose may be permitted for licenced vendors. Contact us before listing.
Recalled & Non-Compliant Products
- Any product subject to an active Health Canada recall
- Any product subject to an active CFIA food safety alert or recall
- Consumer products not meeting applicable Canada Consumer Product Safety Act requirements
- Children's products not complying with Hazardous Products Act regulations
- Electrical products without CSA, UL, or equivalent Canadian safety certification
- Food products produced in uninspected facilities where inspection is legally required
Counterfeit & IP-Infringing Goods
- Products bearing counterfeit trademarks or logos
- Knock-off designer goods misrepresented as genuine
- Unauthorized reproductions of copyright-protected works
- Products whose packaging or branding is deceptively similar to a registered trademark
- Bootleg recordings and unlicenced software
Multi-Level Marketing & Pyramid Schemes
- Products sold under a multi-level or network marketing compensation structure
- Recruitment-based selling schemes
- Products whose primary pitch involves signing up other sellers
Direct-sales products (e.g. health supplements, essential oils) sold by the maker at their own booth without a recruitment component may be permitted. The determining factor is whether income depends on recruiting others.
Live Animals
- Sale or transfer of live animals of any species
- Live poultry and live fish
- Exotic and endangered species
- Sale of animal breeding rights
Operators who hold the necessary provincial permits to run a livestock auction or live bird sale at a licenced market may apply for a written exemption.
Other Prohibited Items
- Sexually explicit material
- Products depicting or promoting hate, violence, or discrimination
- Stolen goods or goods of uncertain provenance
- Products making fraudulent claims about origin, certification, or organic status
- Products whose listing would violate any applicable Canadian federal or provincial law not otherwise listed here
Vendor Obligations
By creating a vendor account or completing the vendor onboarding wizard, you confirm that:
- None of your current or planned product listings fall under a prohibited category
- You have reviewed this policy and the Terms of Service before listing any product
- You will promptly remove any listing that is notified to you as a violation, pending appeal
- You will contact legal@marketmates.ca before listing any product you are uncertain about
- You understand that violations may result in listing removal, account suspension, or termination
Selling food products?
Food vendors have additional compliance obligations under the Safe Food for Canadians Act, provincial cottage food regulations, and municipal health bylaws. See the Vendor Terms in our Terms of Service for details.
Operator Obligations
Market operators are responsible for the conduct of vendors they approve to sell at their market through MarketMates. By approving a vendor application, operators confirm that they:
- Have reviewed the vendor's listed products and believe them to be compliant
- Will not knowingly permit vendors to sell prohibited goods at their market
- Will report suspected violations to MarketMates at legal@marketmates.ca
- Accept that their market listing may be suspended if repeated prohibited-goods violations by approved vendors are not addressed
Alcohol exemption process
Operators who hold a valid provincial permit authorising alcohol sales at farmers markets (e.g. a BC Farmers Market Authorization, an Ontario Special Occasion Permit, or a Quebec permit issued by the RACJ) may apply for a written exemption allowing approved vendors to list alcohol products. Email legal@marketmates.ca with a copy of your permit. Exemptions are reviewed individually and are not guaranteed.
Reporting Violations
If you believe a listing on MarketMates violates this policy, please report it. Reports can come from anyone — vendors, operators, shoppers, or members of the public.
How to submit a report
- 1Email legal@marketmates.ca with the subject line "Prohibited Goods Report."
- 2Include the URL or name of the listing and the vendor or market involved.
- 3Describe the specific concern and, if possible, cite the category from this policy.
- 4Attach photos or screenshots if you have them — this speeds up review.
Acknowledgement
Within 2 business days
Initial review
Within 5 business days
Final outcome notified
Within 10 business days
Reports are confidential. We do not disclose the identity of the reporter to the vendor or operator being reported.
If a listing poses an immediate safety risk, we may take it down before completing our full review. Urgent safety concerns (e.g., a recalled product actively being sold) can also be flagged by including “URGENT” in your email subject line.
Appeals Procedure
If a listing was removed or your account was suspended for a violation of this policy and you believe the decision was made in error, you may submit an appeal.
Grounds for Appeal
We consider appeals on the following grounds:
- The listed product does not fall under any prohibited category
- The product has a valid exemption (e.g. an operator holds a required provincial permit)
- The removal was based on incorrect information provided in the report
- Relevant context that was not available during the initial review
How to Appeal
- 1Email legal@marketmates.ca with the subject line "Prohibited Goods Appeal" within 14 days of the enforcement action.
- 2Include the listing name or URL and a description of why you believe the removal was incorrect.
- 3Attach any supporting evidence — product descriptions, certifications, permits, or regulatory opinions.
- 4If the appeal relates to a product category we flagged, explain how the product falls outside that category.
Appeal Outcomes
We will acknowledge your appeal within 2 business days and provide a decision within 10 business days. Possible outcomes are:
- Appeal granted — listing reinstated and any account restriction lifted
- Appeal granted with conditions — listing reinstated subject to modification or documentation requirements
- Appeal denied — removal or suspension upheld, with written reasons
Our appeal decision is final. We do not offer a second round of appeals within the same enforcement action. If you believe we have misapplied the law, you may seek independent legal advice.
Enforcement
MarketMates enforces this policy at its sole discretion. Enforcement actions are calibrated to the severity and frequency of violations:
| Violation Type | Typical Action |
|---|---|
| First-time, minor (e.g. ambiguous product description) | Listing removed; vendor notified and given opportunity to correct |
| First-time, clear violation (e.g. tobacco product listed) | Listing removed immediately; written warning issued |
| Repeat violation after written warning | Account suspended pending review (7–14 days) |
| Serious violation (e.g. recalled product, controlled substance) | Account suspended immediately; possible permanent termination |
| Operator knowingly permitting prohibited sales | Market listing suspended; operator account reviewed |
| Criminal conduct (fraud, counterfeit goods) | Permanent termination; possible referral to law enforcement |
These are guidelines, not guarantees. We reserve the right to apply any enforcement action for any violation, up to and including permanent termination, based on the circumstances.
Incorporated by reference
This Prohibited Goods Policy is incorporated by reference into the MarketMates Terms of Service. Violations are treated as violations of the Terms. This policy supplements, and does not replace, any applicable Canadian federal or provincial law governing the sale of these items.
Questions: legal@marketmates.ca