SQDC will soon sell cannabis infused vaping products in Quebec

Soon, customers who shop at the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) will be able to purchase vaping products, in stores and online.

Even though Quebec Public Health recommended against selling these products five years ago, the SQDC has decided to finally meet the demand they say and offer safe products compared to the ones sold illegally.

A call for products was launched on Thursday to find suppliers capable of developing a device and cartridges that meet the SQDC’s criteria.

They currently conduct business with 53 suppliers for their other suppliers. The SQDC plans on training their employees in the upcoming months so that they can advise customers on how to safely use the new products.

According to survey conducted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), nearly 73 per cent of 15 to 17-year-olds and 55 per cent of 18 to 20 year-olds have vaped cannabis in the past year.

However, the SQDC said it does not want to market vaping products that will attract young people.

Currently, only Quebec and P.E.I. don’t sell cannabis infused vape products, but it is legal to sell it in Canada.

There are several rules that have been put in place to ensure that these products are low risk for consumers: the THC level cannot exceed 30 per cent, the packaging must not be attractive to younger people, and they cannot contain flavours or aromas.

Quebec’s Public Health Director Dr. Luc Boileau said he was concerned about consumers vaping cannabis compared to the traditional methods (smoking, ingesting) but he is not against the SQDC’s decision.