Quebec has passed its long-awaited cannabis law. Here's what in it
Where will it be sold?
The SAQ, Quebec's liquor board, will oversee the sale and distribution of marijuana, but the sales will be carried out by a new, separate entity: the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC).
Marijuana will be available for purchase at SQDC-run stores and online.
There are plans to open about 20 stores by December and between 150 and 160 stores in the next two to three years.
The online store will be operational as soon as cannabis is made legal.
Can I grow it myself?
The short answer is no. Quebecers won't be allowed to grow marijuana plants at home, even though the proposed federal law would allow Canadians to have up to four plants at home for their personal use.
The Senate made an amendment to the federal legislation last week that gives the final say on home grown pot to the provinces.
That will avert a potential jurisdictional showdown between Quebec and Ottawa if the amendment survives the final vote.
Quebec Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois celebrates the adoption of the province's cannabis legislation on Tuesday. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
How old, and how much?
You'll need to be 18 to legally consume cannabis. The CAQ wanted the age limit to be 21.
Quebecers will also only be allowed 150 grams of dried marijuana in their home — and will only be allowed to purchase a maximum of 30 grams at any one time.
Marijuana use will only permitted in the same places as tobacco. Smoking will also be prohibited on university and CEGEP grounds.
There will be zero tolerance for drivers — police officers will be able to ask for a saliva sample if they suspect someone is driving while high and will be able to suspend a driver's licence for 90 days if a sample comes back positive.
When will cannabis actually be legal?
That depends on what happens in Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has maintained that cannabis will be legal this summer, but there's still much to do.
Senators voted last week to pass the Trudeau government's landmark legislation to lift Canada's 95-year-old prohibition on recreational cannabis with a number of amendments.
The government will have to decide whether to approve, reject or modify the senators' changes before returning the bill to the Senate for another vote.
Why did the PQ and CAQ vote against?
The CAQ was expected to oppose the legislation. It had long advocated for setting the legal age limit at 21.
The PQ, though, had been expected to vote in favour of the legislation. PQ leader Jean-François Lisée said this morning before the vote that he would have liked the Couillard government to ban the use of marijuana in public places.
The PQ wants Quebec to have more control over the production of cannabis. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
He also wanted more provisions to ensure Quebec companies are involved in the production of cannabis.
Lisée said he was also "very concerned" about the potential links between the owners of cannabis producers and tax havens.
ps...so much for their business deal.... lol
Where will it be sold?
The SAQ, Quebec's liquor board, will oversee the sale and distribution of marijuana, but the sales will be carried out by a new, separate entity: the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC).
Marijuana will be available for purchase at SQDC-run stores and online.
There are plans to open about 20 stores by December and between 150 and 160 stores in the next two to three years.
The online store will be operational as soon as cannabis is made legal.
Can I grow it myself?
The short answer is no. Quebecers won't be allowed to grow marijuana plants at home, even though the proposed federal law would allow Canadians to have up to four plants at home for their personal use.
The Senate made an amendment to the federal legislation last week that gives the final say on home grown pot to the provinces.
That will avert a potential jurisdictional showdown between Quebec and Ottawa if the amendment survives the final vote.
How old, and how much?
You'll need to be 18 to legally consume cannabis. The CAQ wanted the age limit to be 21.
Quebecers will also only be allowed 150 grams of dried marijuana in their home — and will only be allowed to purchase a maximum of 30 grams at any one time.
Marijuana use will only permitted in the same places as tobacco. Smoking will also be prohibited on university and CEGEP grounds.
There will be zero tolerance for drivers — police officers will be able to ask for a saliva sample if they suspect someone is driving while high and will be able to suspend a driver's licence for 90 days if a sample comes back positive.
When will cannabis actually be legal?
That depends on what happens in Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has maintained that cannabis will be legal this summer, but there's still much to do.
Senators voted last week to pass the Trudeau government's landmark legislation to lift Canada's 95-year-old prohibition on recreational cannabis with a number of amendments.
The government will have to decide whether to approve, reject or modify the senators' changes before returning the bill to the Senate for another vote.
Why did the PQ and CAQ vote against?
The CAQ was expected to oppose the legislation. It had long advocated for setting the legal age limit at 21.
The PQ, though, had been expected to vote in favour of the legislation. PQ leader Jean-François Lisée said this morning before the vote that he would have liked the Couillard government to ban the use of marijuana in public places.
He also wanted more provisions to ensure Quebec companies are involved in the production of cannabis.
Lisée said he was also "very concerned" about the potential links between the owners of cannabis producers and tax havens.
ps...so much for their business deal.... lol
or at least that's what the women ask.. lol
