The Canadian province of Quebec has decided to ban growing marijuana plants at home. Yesterday, Minister Jean-Marc Fournier who lead this initiative, spoke with federal lawmakers in Ottowa. Fournier hopes that the Canadian Senate will add an amendment that officially gives provinces the right to ban personal cannabis cultivation. In the meantime, this Quebec lawmaker explains provincial ban on home-grown cannabis and his ask of the federal government.
Federal Marijuana Legislation Permits Home-Grown Cannabis
Bill C-45, which legalizes cannabis growth and sale nationally, allows residents more access to marijuana than the conservative Quebec government wants. According to federal law, adults can have up to 30 grams of cannabis on their person, grow up to four plants and buy from licensed retail locations.
Everything else, from age restrictions to distribution, is left to the provinces to decide.
Quebec’s Legislation Would Encroach On Federal Laws
Banning home-grown marijuana would appear to violate national marijuana legalization. To address this issue, Fournier wrote a letter to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. The Quebec lawmaker explains the provincial ban on home-grown cannabis in his letter and argues that it doesn’t contradict C-45. He contends that federal legislation can only ban cannabis-related activities, not ensure everyone’s right to them.
Plus, Quebec has a different goal when it comes to marijuana. Unlike advocacy groups that put marijuana on par with alcohol, Quebec conservatives don’t want to normalize cannabis. Fournier explains, “The goal isn’t to encourage production, but to restrict the access.”
Three months later, Wilson-Raybould replied to Fournier, though the Minister wants further clarification. In the Justice Minister’s reply, she wrote that Quebec can ban home-grown cannabis. However, if taken to court, a judge could overturn provincial bans in favor of federal laws.