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The provincial cannabis retailer wants to take its time and make sure everything is done properly, it says
Author of the article:
T'Cha Dunlevy • Montreal Gazette
Publishing date:
Nov 21, 2019 • November 21, 2019 • 3 minute read • Join the conversation 
“We want to make sure all the logistical impediments are sewn up, that production capacity is up and running," SQDC spokesperson Fabrice Giguère says. Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette files
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Edible cannabis products will be legal in Quebec as of Dec. 5, but people will have to wait until Jan. 1 to get access to them.
Quebec announced its regulations surrounding edibles and extracts on Wednesday. While there’s no legal impediment to the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) selling those products starting Dec. 5, the provincial cannabis retailer wants to take its time and make sure everything is done properly.
“Edibles are not a race,” said SQDC spokesperson Fabrice Giguère. “We want to make sure all the logistical impediments are sewn up, that production capacity is up and running. We’re working on what kinds of products we’ll have, prices, and how we’ll display the prices in our stores. We want to make sure everything is in place for the launch of these products in January.”
As previously announced, the SQDC will only have cannabis-infused drinks at first, as well as hash. But the company is still finalizing exactly which products it will begin to carry when.
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“It’s going to be a slow start, not the huge rollout we had in October 2018,” Giguère said. “We’re going to begin to have products as the year goes, and as capacities of producers are being built up.”
The SQDC may carry non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused beers, teas and other drinks, but no food items for the moment.
Quebec’s new regulations stipulate that edibles may not contain “components, other than THC, to strengthen intoxicating psychological effects of cannabis.”
The rules also say that edible products, in solid or liquid form, “may not be sweets, confectionary, dessert, chocolate or any other product attractive to persons under 21 years of age.”
Quebec’s new law restricting cannabis use and sales to people 21 and over goes into effect Jan. 1.
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The SQDC may eventually carry edibles such as muffins, but it will not have gummy bears, cookies or other such items.
Even hash is proving to be a challenge, as the new provincial regulations say that the level of THC in non-edible cannabis products cannot exceed 30 per cent — THC concentrations in hash is normally much higher.
“We have to work with our suppliers to make sure they respect these limits,” Giguère said. “It requires research and development on their end. So we want to give everyone time to make sure everything happens according to plan.”
Because of all the intangibles, the SQDC can’t guarantee that the above items will be available Jan. 1.
“We should have the products on the shelves, if everything goes according to plan from a supplier standpoint,” Giguère explained, without confirming which products would arrive when.
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Another big question is vaping. Though it’s legal in Quebec, the SQDC will not sell cannabis vaporizers or products.
“In light of all the health problems that have arisen in the U.S. lately, we’re concerned, to say the least,” Giguère said. “We don’t have enough data to know precisely the root cause of these problems, so until further notice we’re not going to sell these products.”
The SQDC is encouraged by a recent statement from Quebec’s public health director against vaping and its links to lung disease, but the SQDC’s decision was made before the announcement.
“Their statement legitimized our decision,” Giguère said.
The move has drawn criticism from the Association québécoise de l’industrie du cannabis (AQIC), which says it will only help the black market.
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“They have a right to express their opinion,” Giguère responded. “But we have a mission to protect public health.”
Some say the SQDC’s lack of edibles such as gummy bears and chocolate will also feed into the black market, but Giguère points out that the company is only following Quebec regulations.
“The Quebec government made a choice and wants to send a really strong message to young people and protect our youth by making sure we don’t sell these products to kids. We’re the retailer. We apply the laws that have been voted and adopted. That’s why we’re not selling those products.”
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