What we know about Quebec’s legalization plan

If you’re a cannabis user who wants to get a job with the Société québécoise du cannabis, you might not want to mention your experience on your application.

The crown corporation won’t be asking about that, said Mathieu Gaudreault, a spokesperson for the Société des alcools du Québec, which will run the SQDC, and one thing is clear: if you have a criminal record, it will be legally barred from hiring you.

But, at the same time, the CEO of the SAQ has said that having employees with a “passion” for cannabis could be beneficial.

It’s a sign of the fine line the SQDC — mandated by law to compete with the black market without encouraging the consumption of cannabis — will have to walk.

While many of the details, including the date that cannabis will be legalized, are still up in the air, here’s what we know so far.

WHEN IT OPENS

The federal bill legalizing cannabis still has to be passed by the Senate and the provincial law that would regulate its sale in Quebec (and create the SQDC) is still before the National Assembly.

“We’re trying to get ready for Sept. 1, but if we have to do it faster, we’re going to do it faster and if it’s going to be a little bit later, well, we’re going to adjust to that,” said Gaudreault.

With a provincial election this fall and the National Assembly only sitting until June 15, Quebec must hurry or it could be left without a regulatory framework for cannabis sales (the federal government has said residents of provinces without their own regulations will be able to buy online from federally licensed producers after legalization).

HIRING

Hiring for the SQDC will start once the two bills pass. That’s expected some time in the next couple of weeks, Gaudreault said.

“We’re going to be looking for someone that loves to work with the public, that’s the first thing. We don’t require that people have used the substance, because, obviously, it’s illegal right now.”

Someone whose interests include cannabis could be considered, Gaudreault said, as long as they don’t have a criminal record.

The training for SQDC employees will be “scientific” and focus on the risks of cannabis use, as well as product knowledge.

While there will be no tasting component, Gaudreault said. SQDC employees will be able to talk about the type and origin of the different strains it sells.

PRICE

The SQDC is aiming to have an average price of around $6 a gram.

“We have to have a realistic price to make sure that people come from the black market to the legal market,” Gaudreault said. “We don’t want to make the product more available than it is right now.”

The SQDC plans to sell by the gram and in 3.5 gram units — standard measures in the black market. It will carry mostly dried flowers or “buds.”

STORES

While the SQDC plans to start with 20 stores, it hasn’t yet signed any leases. With the possibility of amendments to provincial and federal bills, it doesn’t want to find out that a planned store is too close to a school, for example.

People will have to show ID at the door, as minors won’t be allowed in.

There will also be an online store.