Here's what cannabis stores will look like in Quebec

Quebec has opted for a state monopoly on the distribution of cannabis. The province already operates on this model for the alcohol trade, and it is in fact the Société des Alcools du Québec that will oversee the expansion of the Société Québécoise du Cannabis, in charge of the plant trade. In a press release, the Société Québécoise du Cannabis revealed how its stores, which will open on October 17, will be organized. 

Layout and organization

The stores will be laid out in three areas: in the first, a security guard will check the age of customers. In the second, located at the entrance, customers will find interactive devices to provide product information and guidance. In the third, customers can purchase products. The stores will be open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and a gram of cannabis will cost around $6.

The establishments will offer around 150 different products such as dried flowers, fresh flowers, oil, capsules and pre-rolled joints. The state-owned company plans to open around 20 stores by October 17, and 80 by March 2021. It has already announced the location of 9 sales outlets. With this in mind, it is actively seeking staff for the positions of sales advisor, manager and assistant manager. An online sales system is also planned for October.

A focus on information and prevention

The advice zone, reserved for information, will consist of explanatory counters enabling customers to choose the type of product and variety of cannabis best suited to their needs: «a simple and educational display (...) will make it possible to quickly obtain all product-related information». Sales advisors will also be able to answer questions, but must not advocate cannabis.

The state monopoly also guarantees the absence of advertising that would incite consumption. On the contrary, the government prefers to focus on information and risk prevention: «(customers) will have access to information aimed at informed and responsible consumption». With this in mind, documentation will be available to make consumers aware of the risks of cannabis, often linked to driving under the influence and addiction.

The stores will be laid out in such a way that the products will not be visible from the outside: «In order not to promote cannabis consumption and to protect vulnerable customers, the facade of SQDC sales outlets, although clearly identified, will not allow passers-by to see the cannabis products inside the store,» announced the SQDC. Stores must also be at least 250 metres from schools, with the exception of the city of Montreal, which is home to many schools, where the distance is 150 metres.