Quebec bans the depiction of a cannabis leaf

In Quebec, the future legalization of cannabis has the air of a new Prohibition or old France. As in the rest of Canada, cannabis will be legal from October 17, but with conditions more restrictive than elsewhere, including a ban on self-cultivation. The latest announcement: no product will be allowed to feature cannabis leaves, whether as clothing, decoration or consumer accessories.

The official goal of the Quebec government is to prevent the normalization of cannabis consumption. But many experts already imagine that the province will have to defend some of its particularities in court once legalization is in place.

«I believe in the rule of law in the future, because there is a general prohibition against promoting cannabis on any object,» explains attorney Mylany David. «Not necessarily objects that can be used for cannabis consumption. This leads, I believe, to extreme prohibition.»

31 inspectors will be dedicated by the province to checking compliance with the rules laid down in the future state-run stores, as well as in headshops and other growshops. Small shops will be liable to a fine of between 5,000 and 6,2000$ for non-compliance, with the amount doubling for a second offence.

The Quebec version of the federal regulation is more restrictive. The Canadian government only wanted to prevent cannabis producers from advertising their brands. No public event or sporting competition, for example, could use the name of an authorized producer. No Canopy Stanley Cup in sight!

Key figures in Canadian cannabis activism, Marc Emery and Dana Larsen, were quick to react to the announcement.

Quebec bans image of cannabis leaf from t-shirts and lighters.

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I wonder if images of Japanese maple leaves are allowed?https://t.co/9Ao51DOrIf

- Dana Larsen (@DanaLarsen) September 17, 2018

The Société Québécoise Du Cannabis (SQDC) has skilfully circumvented the problem with its logo. Inspiration for future entrepreneurs?