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.

La Presse+ reports that it is reportedly easy to obtain various cannabis products in Kanesatake, even without being of legal age. As part of an experiment conducted by the media outlet, products such as cannabis-infused jelly beans, cakes, and slushies were reportedly available despite age restrictions.