No cannabis without vaccines, says Quebec

The Quebec government could announce this Thursday that a vaccine passport will be required to enter cannabis and alcohol stores. That is the news reported by the Journal de Montréal and confirmed by La Presse. A strong incentive to require cannabis users to get vaccinated in order to purchase their favorite products.

Quebec's health minister will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. (5 p.m. French time) and will announce these new measures.

In this French-speaking Canadian province, cannabis is sold exclusively by the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC). This 100 % publicly traded company is a subsidiary of another public entity, the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ).

«The SAQ has had some discussions with the government on this matter.". »If the latter moves in that direction, we will implement this public health measure just as we have done with all the other measures rolled out since the start of the pandemic.", the company states in an email sent to La Presse.

Fear that consumers will turn to the black market

Following the «one joint for a vaccine» initiative» established in the United States, François Legault’s center-right Quebec government might well come up with another rule: «No joint without a vaccine.» Cannabis stores are not particular hotspots for COVID-19 transmission. But their customers are often young. And between 12 and 15 % of young Quebecers are unvaccinated.

However, some fear that this measure could be counterproductive. Instead of driving cannabis users toward a vaccination center… they might turn back to the black market. There, of course, there is no vaccine passport. That would be a real step backward, since the legal market in «La Belle Province» is doing very well. Two out of every three cannabis purchases are made in stores rather than on the street.

For now, there are no details on the specifics of the «no joint without a vaccine» measure. For example, Quebecers don’t know whether stores will require the vaccine passport upon entry or at the register, or whether it will also apply to online orders. Because the SQDC delivers to their customers' homes.

«The government has decided to cross the Rubicon. It's a controversial decision that will spark a huge reaction, predicts Olivier Bourque, who reveals this information in the Journal de Montréal and speaks on QUB Radio. »Since the start of the pandemic, the SAQ and SQDC have been considered essential businesses, necessary for Quebecers."