Quebec government reveals details of marijuana bill

The Quebec government tabled its long-awaitedmarijuana legislation on Thursday, laying out details about how the sale and distribution of legal pot is tounfold in the province.

Public Health MinisterLucieCharlebois called the framework an "evolving plan" that requires flexibility since thefederal government has set July 1, 2018, as the target date for legalization.

"It's not the end, it's the only the beginning," she said."It's certain that we will have to adapt."

• Where will I get it? How much will it cost? Key questions about Quebec's pot bill

Under the new plan, thelegal age to buy, possess and consume marijuana in Quebec will be 18 the same as the drinking age.

Other key points include:

• No one will be allowed to grow cannabis for personal use. It will also be banned to grow it forcommercial use, unless following the laws set out by the government.
• It is prohibited for anadult to possess, in a place other than a public place, more than 150 grams of dried cannabis.
• It must be smoked in the same places as tobacco. Smokingwill 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 highand will be able tosuspend a driver'slicence for 90 days if a sample comes back positive.

While saliva testing has yet to be federally regulated, the province says that police officers are being trained to detect signs of marijuana-impaired driving.

"The message we want to send is: if you consume cannabis, don't drive," said Transport MinisterAndrFortin.

The main goal of the planis to protect the security and the health of all Quebecers, said Charlebois.

'A realistic price'

The main goal of the planis to protect the security and the health of allQuebecers, saidCharlebois.

Under the plan, only theSocitQubcoisedu Cannabis (SQC)will be allowed to purchase cannabis from a producer, ensure its transportation and storage, and sell it, with certain exceptions.

TheSQCwill open 15physical stores around the province where cannabis products will be sold andwill also offeronline sales.Finance Minister Carlo Leitosaid there could be more stores inthe future, but was unable to say how many.

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Customers are not to have access to cannabis inside a store without the assistance of an employee, and the cannabismust only be visiblefrom the inside the store.

The price has not been set: experts consulted by the government have suggested a price of $7 to 10 per gramin order to compete with the black market but not make it socheap that it wouldencourage more consumption.

"We need to have a realistic price and realistic taxes," saidLeito.

Opposition slams bill

The proposed measures are aimed at limiting therisks associated with smoking marijuana, said Charlebois.

After consulting with experts, the government opted for the strictest regulations it could in light of the recommendations.

"Honestly, it would be better if there were no drugs in society, but you know as well as I do that it already exists on the black market," said Charlebois.

CoalitionAvenirQubecMNA Simon Jolin-Barrettecriticized the bill, calling it"permissive and timid."

He said his party plans to table anamendment boosting the minimum age to 21.

SylvainPag, thePartiQubcoishealth critic, applauded the creation of the SQC, but said the province needs a moresolid and detailed economic plan when it comes to selling legal pot.

"Where is theserious business model?" he said.

Deadline approaching

While Quebec's legalization plans are moving ahead, the province is still urging the federal government to give provinces more time in part, because Ottawa still hasn't said how much cannabis tax revenue it will share with the provinces.

Even if it can't persuade Ottawa to push back the deadline, thegovernment says it will be ready.

• Quebec to set legal marijuana consumption age at 18

Among the provinces, only Ontario and New Brunswick have tabled legislation. Alberta is expected to do so shortly.