Judging the measures planned by Ottawa to regulate the upcoming legalization of cannabis edible sales insufficient, Quebec unveiled its more stringent rules Wednesday.
The province announced it would ban the sale of cannabis candies, confections, desserts — including chocolate — and “any other product that is attractive to minors.”
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Solid products containing cannabis will not be allowed to have levels of tetrahydrocannabinol — the high-inducing compound known as THC — greater than five milligrams per unit or 10 milligrams per package. For liquids, the limit will be five milligrams per package.
Ottawa will legalize edible products on October 17, but it will take at least another 60 days for products to hit the shelves. Cannabis extracts and products for topical use will also be permitted.
READ MORE: Cannabis edibles expected to hit Canadian shelves mid-December
Quebec maintains that federal measures to regulate the new products will not allow the province to “achieve its public health and safety objectives.”
The provincial government says more needs to be done to reduce the appeal of cannabis to young people and the risk of accidental intoxication.
Ottawa has said it will not allow the sale of edibles that are appealing to young people, but assessments of whether the line is crossed will be made on a case-by-case basis. Whether an edible cannabis product is reasonably considered to be appealing to kids would depend on various factors including its shape, colour, flavour, scent and how it is packaged, a federal government official said last month.
READ MORE: ‘It’s a totally different drug’– Why edibles feel different from smoking cannabis
Among the other measures introduced by Quebec is the prohibition of additives intended to modify the smell, flavour or colour of cannabis products.
Cannabis for topical use will not be allowed for sale in Quebec “for the moment,” the government adds.