Here's a sneak peek inside a Quebec cannabis store

The Socit qubcoise du cannabis (SQDC) opened one of its stores to media on Tuesday, a day ahead of legalization.

Reporters were shown around the outlet on St-Hubert Street, one of three in Montreal set to open to the public tomorrow.

Jean-FranoisBergeron, a representative for the new governmentretailer,said the goal is to strike a balance: make theproducts enticing and affordable enough to compete with what's sold on the black market, while also ensuring they are consumed safely.

"The mission is not to promote consumption," said Bergeron, a vice-president at Quebec's liquor corporation (SAQ), whichis overseeing the SQDC.

"It's really to distribute in a safe manner across Quebec."

Bergeronanticipates that meeting the demand could be challenging in the first weeks following legalization. He said the pricing, which startsat just over $5 a gram, will be competitive.

"That's a really good price," he said with a smile.

The scene outside the St-Hubertstore isvery Montreal, as construction crews workon the closed-down street.

The immaculately stacked shelves, all behind a counter out of reach of consumers,are lined with offerings such as Great White Shark, Chocolope and Pink Kush.

Elsewhere, there are explanatory posters and smart screens outlining the differences betweenstrains.

Bergeron said public education will be an essential part of the sale of legal marijuana, and front-line retail staff willplay a key role in that endeavour.

Consumers to be ID'd at the door

TheSQDCis set to open 12outletson Wednesday across the province, including three in Montreal. The three Montreal locations are:

• 970 Ste-Catherine Street West, near Metcalfe Street.
• 9250AcadieBoulevard.
• 6872 St-Hubert Street.

Three more stores, including another outlet in Montreal, are to openby the end of the month. There are plans to open between 150 and 160 stores in the next two to three years. A complete list of locationsisavailable here.

The opening hours are Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

By law, all outlets must be located at least 250 metres away from elementary and high schools (150 metres in Montreal).

Customers will be required to showtheir identification at the door to prove they are 18 or over.The new Coalition Avenir Qubec government is planning to raise the minimum age of legal consumptionto 21.

Cannabis will also be available for purchase online as ofWednesday, at SAQ.com.

In all, the SQDC plans to offer a total of about 180 products in the form of dried flower, ground cannabis, pre-rolled, oil, oral spray and pill or gel cap.

Inside the stores, the cannabis is in containers and isn't visible through the packaging. Customers also won't be allowed to see it orsmell it before purchasing.

There are warning labels directed toward adolescents and pregnant women on the products.

No edibles will be available, as stipulated by both provincial and federal law.

Do you havequestions about how cannabis legislation is going to work in Quebec? The CBC's Benjamin Shingler has the answers. Join us live on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m. on theCBC Montreal Facebook pagefor our Q&A on cannabis.