Les membres de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec annoncent l’adoption du projet de loi pour encadrer le cannabis au Québec
Back to the press releases
Government announcement
12 June 2018

The members of the Québec National Assembly announce the adoption of the bill to regulate cannabis in Québec

Les membres de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec annoncent l’adoption du projet de loi pour encadrer le cannabis au Québec

Thank you for your interest in the Quebec Liberal Party.

Stay informed in real time and discuss with us on social media:
Twitter : @LiberalQuebec
Facebook: fb.com/LiberalQuebec

N. B. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link placed at the bottom of each of our messages.

Subscribe to the newsletter to learn more about the Liberal team’s plan

Québec City, June 12, 2018 – Today, with the aim of rigorously regulating the use of non-therapeutic cannabis in Québec and putting measures in place to protect the health and safety of the population, the members of the Québec National Assembly adopted Bill 157: An Act to constitute the Société québécoise du cannabis, to enact the Cannabis Regulation Act and to amend various highway safety-related provisions.

Thus, Québec is well-positioned and ready for the legalization of cannabis over the course of summer 2018, as imposed by the federal government. Different measures will be put in place in order to limit the harmful effects and risks linked to the use of the substance, combat its normalization—particularly among adolescents and young adults—effectively control production, transportation, storage, sale, promotion, advertising, use and possession of cannabis, and integrate consumers into the lawful market.

After special consultations and parliamentary proceedings over the last several weeks, many modifications have been made to the bill, which had been tabled in November 2017. Among the main amendments, let us mention the following:

  • The removal of the possibility of authorizing pilot projects involving retail distribution;
  • The addition of a measure to ensure that members of the oversight committee are free from conflicts of interest and relations with the cannabis industry;
  • Requiring producers who do business with the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC) to be authorized by the Autorité des Marchés Publics;
  • A clarification concerning the quantity of cannabis that can be possessed by an individual in a space that is not public, such as a residence. A maximum authorized amount of 150 grams of dried cannabis or equivalent, no matter how many adults live in one residence;
  • An expansion of the possession prohibition in college buildings and establishments, except for residences;
  • Prohibiting points of sale near preschools, elementary and high schools;
  • Reinforcing regulations on promotion and advertising;
  • The creation of rules for the sale, promotion and advertising of cannabis accessories;
  • The possibility for landlords to modify the conditions of a lease to add a ban on the smoking of cannabis within 90 days of the law taking effect.

Quotes:

Today marks a decisive step in Québec’s regulation of cannabis. We committed to equipping and preparing Québec, and we have kept our promise. Our main concern from the beginning has been to care for the health and safety of the population, particularly youth and the most vulnerable people in our society. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to ensuring that these regulations we are proposing address all concerns and reflect the values of our community.

– Lucie Charlebois, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living

The model Québec has adopted for the sale of cannabis will contribute significantly to achieving public health and safety objectives. The mission of the Société Québécoise du Cannabis is clear: it will be responsible for handling the sale of cannabis in the context of health protection, in order to integrate consumers into the legal cannabis market and keep them there, without encouraging consumption. The implementation of the network of SQDC branches will be done with operational efficiency in order to ensure safe and effective distribution.

– Carlos J. Leitão, Minister of Finance

Road safety is an important cannabis regulation issue for Québec. We want to send a clear message to the population: when they consume cannabis or other types of drugs, they don’t drive. Our approach focuses on prevention and caution, and the series of measures that will be put in place will protect the safety of road users more effectively.

– André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

Key points:

The main measures in the adopted bill are as follows:

  • The creation of the SQDC to help achieve public health and safety objectives;
  • A minimum of $25 million per year for five years to fund prevention and research activities concerning cannabis;
  • Prohibiting minors from possessing cannabis;
  • Imposing a limit on the amount that one adult can possess in their home;
  • Prohibiting the cultivation of non-therapeutic cannabis for personal use;
  • Restrictions on the use of cannabis in certain areas, which go beyond the restrictions already in place for tobacco;
  • The creation of an oversight committee to advise the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding this new phenomenon;
  • Zero tolerance for driving after consuming cannabis.