Quebec seeks input on how to deal with legalized marijuana

Quebec's Public Health Minister Lucie Charleboiskicks off a tour of the province Tuesday to gather input on how her governmentshould regulate marijuana use when it becomes legalized next year.

While it is federal legislation that will make the drug legal beginning in July 2018, it is up to the provinces to decide many of the rules that will govern its consumption and sale.

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 pass, legislation that will answer these questions.

"We would have liked to have had more time. I won't hide it. That said, we don't have a choice," Charlebois said.

Seven regions have their say

Both experts and ordinary citizens have registered toprovide Charleboisfeedback during her seven-region tour of the province.

The tour begins Tuesday in Rimouski before one-day sessions are held in Quebec City, Saguenay, Trois-Rivires Granby andMontreal. The final session will be heldSept.12 in Gatineau.

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InRimouski, Charleboisis expected to hear from a suicide prevention centre and public health officials from theGasp and the Magdalen Islands.Individual citizens will workshop their ideas in groups.

Upcoming bill will need to change

Charlebois said the provincial government is planning to table its marijuanabill this fall. But she also warned that whatever legislation is passed will likely be adjusted as time goes on.

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"Just because we are producing a first draft doesn't mean it can't be perfected," she said.

Charleboisnoted thatthe provincial law on tobacco has been changed several times over the years. "It will be the same thing for cannabis," she said.