SAQ union explores selling marijuana at liquor stores

The debate is swirling over whether marijuana should be sold at SAQs after Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne suggested Monday thatprovincial liquor outlets should be the point of sale for legalized pot.

The union representing workers at Quebec liquor stores says it has ordered astudy into the possibility, and the results are expected next year.

• LCBOwell suited to sell marijuana when legal, KathleenWynnesays
• B.C. liquor stores press for right to sell legal pot

Until then, the Syndicatdesemploysdemagasinset debureauxde la SAQisn't taking a position on the issue.

"We must also consult our union members on the subject," union presidentAlexandreJolysaid in an email.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to legalize marijuana, but the details on where and how it will be sold are still to be worked out.

Over-taxation at the liquor store?

AdamGreenblatt, executive director and co-founder of SantCannabis, aMontrealmedical marijuana clinic, is against the idea of selling the drug at SAQs. He arguesalcohol and pot shouldn't be sold side by side.

Greenblattsaid he's concerned restricting the sale of legal marijuanato SAQs would lead toover-regulation and over-taxation, pushingsome marijuana users backtoblack market providers.

"I would prefer to see itsold in pharmacies, dispensaries and age-restricted coffee shops," he told CBC Montreal`s Radio Noon.

On Twitter, people seem to agree that SAQs are not the place for marijuana.

Feds launch consultation

Key federal cabinet ministers Justice MinisterJodyWilson-Raybould,along with Public Safety Minister RalphGoodaleand Health MinisterJanePhilpottareset to begin afederalprovincialterritorial process that will lead to thelegalization and regulation of marijuana.

• How legalized marijuana could change Canadian cities
• Quebec entrepreneur hoping for high times with Liberals' marijuanapledge

For her part,WynnesaidLCBOoutlets would be well-positionedto sell the drug inOntario.

"It makes sense to me that the liquor distribution mechanism that we have in placetheLCBOis very well-suited to... the social responsibility aspects that would need to be in place," she said Monday.

Manitoba Premier GregSelingerand a prominent B.C. union that represents workers in government-ownedstores in that province have takensimilar positions.