Quebec: the «hard way» to legalize cannabis in 2018?

Like the’Ontario which intends to create a private cannabis monopoly linked to the province's Bureau des Liqueurs, Quebec is gradually unveiling the possibilities of the future legislative framework for cannabis. legalizing cannabis in Canada in 2018.

The first indiscretions won't make everyone happy: because of the difficulty of monitoring self-cultivation, Quebec may simply choose not to allow it. Visit Bill C-45 which governs the national legalization framework, calls for the authorization of 4 cannabis plants of 1m in height per household.

MNAs from the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), the second largest opposition force in Quebec's National Assembly, are also calling for a very tough approach, to avoid trivializing cannabis consumption.

They recommend setting the minimum legal age for buying and consuming cannabis at 21, reducing the amount of cannabis allowed in one's possession from 30g to 15g, and not allowing self-cultivation.

They also favor the creation of a subsidiary of the Société des Alcools Québécois (SAQ) to distribute cannabis, while opposing the online sale of cannabis, the purchase of cannabis outside Quebec or home delivery of the product (which is already the case for medical cannabis).

A recent study from the Institut de Recherche et d'Informations Sociéconomiques (IRIS) recommends that the future cannabis regulatory office be attached to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux, to more easily integrate public health concerns with drug prevention and harm reduction activities. The study, partly financed by the SAQ's Syndicat des employés de magasins et de bureau, nevertheless suggests that distribution could very well be managed by the SAQ.

The Quebec government, through the voice of Premier Philippe Couillard, announced soon to present the complete framework of the project to legalize cannabis in Quebec.

The Parti Québécois, Quebec's leading opposition force, will be watching these announcements closely, as will the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, which is due to meet today to discuss the possible consequences of legalization, and possibly adopt its own cannabis regulations.