Cannabis: The Quebec Paradox
September 3 2026 • Québec
Quebec is currently the only Canadian province where the legal age to purchase cannabis is set at 21. However, barring 18- to 20-year-olds from accessing the SQDC does not mean they will stop using it. As our CEO, Pierre Leclerc, pointed out during his interview with Richard Martineau: “No one is going to wait until they’re 21. ” Especially since, when comparing consumption rates across provinces, we see that consumption among young people is no lower in Quebec. In practice, this policy actually pushes these young adults toward an unregulated market.
