Quebec backpedals on plan to ban public cannabis smoking

The Quebec government is backing away fromits plan to ban cannabis users from lighting up in parks and other public spaces, Radio-Canada has learned.

Premier Franois Legaultoriginallyvowed to tighten restrictions oncannabis sales and consumption, making the proposed changesa part of his original election platform.

But the province is planning to amendBill 2 today after concludinga ban on public consumption wouldn't be enforceable.

Lionel Carmant, Quebec's junior health minister, has reworked the billto give more leeway to municipalities when it comes to adoptingand enforcing theirown rules.

Carmantdeclined to comment Tuesday, saying more will be revealed during the upcoming study and debate of the legislation.

Montreal Mayor Valrie Plantewasamong those who opposed the government's plan to further restrict cannabis use in public.

She told a parliamentary committee last Februarythat the restrictionsincluded in the original bill "pose significant difficulties for Montreal."

On Tuesday, she congratulated the province for making the change.

The Quebec union of municipalities also came out against the ban on cannabis in public. Its president, Alexandre Cusson, called on the government to give municipalities greater autonomy to regulate the use of cannabis in public places on their territory.

Raising the age of consumption

The Quebec government is, however,standing by its plan to raise the age ofpurchase and consumption from 18 to 21.

Elsewhere in Canada, cannabis is permitted at age 19, except in Alberta, where the legal age is 18.

The government hopes topass the bill before the National Assembly adjourns for the summer in mid-June.