Marijuana consultations prompt questions on retail opportunities, prevention programs

With marijuana legalization less than a year away, public hearingson how to regulate cannabis in Quebec kicked off in Montreal on Thursday.

The two-day consultation process has so far yielded questions on how profit from the sale of marijuana will be used by the provincial government and concerns over drug and alcohol prevention programs.

There are presentations from a wide range of organizations, including the Association of Quebec Landowners, Montreal 420 Tours Inc.and the Quebec Labour Federation (FTQ).

Some in attendance were also there to inquire about selling recreational cannabis once it becomes legalized. Alexei Turcotte-Nolsaid he wants to open a marijuana coffee shop, and plans to do cannabis-themed bus or walking tours around Montreal under careful supervision.

"The guide or the server will help you to know how to consume with diligence," said Turcotte-Nol.

Quebecmust decide the legal age limit, how pot will be produced and sold and what kinds of driving restrictions to impose. It has less than a year to draft and passlegislation that will answer these questions.

The consultations are set to wrap up Friday afternoon. Presentations run from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Montreal's Palais des Congrs.

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