Ontario, Quebec pot plans out of joint

Ontario and Quebec may share a border, but when it comes to their individual plans to handle the upcoming legalization of marijuana, the two provinces remain far apart.

As the Liberals'July 2018 target for thelegalization of potlooms nearer, each provinceis working out its own strategy for regulatingthe drug.

On Thursdaythe Quebec government tabled legislation that included more details about how thesale and distribution of legal pot will unfold in that province.

• Quebec government reveals details of marijuana bill

Ontario unveiled its planin early September.

The two plans differ on age limits, possession rules, the number of stores allowed and more.

Recreational use of cannabis in Ontario willonly be allowed in private residences, while Quebec plans to allow it anywhere tobacco can be smoked.

Each province has a body that will oversee the retail sale of cannabis theSocitQubcoisedu Cannabisin Quebec and the LCBOin Ontario. Both provinces will allow pot to be sold online.

Perhaps the greatest similarity between the two plans istheir intent to crack down on driving while high. Both provinces will utilize saliva testing, and are prepared to fine and suspend drivers caught under the influence.

While the provinces work to set their rules, there remain unanswered questions atthe federal level. For example, the federal government still hasn't determined how much of the cannabis tax revenue it willsharewith the provinces.

Only Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have released their pot plans. Alberta is expected to release its plan shortly.

• Click here to view an infographic of the pot plans.