Quebec edibles now for sale? In Quebec? Yes, as of last Tuesday. The provincial monopoly, the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC), shelved its first edible product. Called “Bouchées Cannelle et Cassis,” the product comes from a Quebecois cannabis cultivator, Solei.
Solei is a subsidiary of Tilray.
Like edibles in the rest of Canada, Bouchées is not strong. It is a two-piece cluster (a cookie) of cinnamon and black currants. Each piece contains 2.5mg THC and 5mg of CBD.
Are Quebec Edibles Worth It?
The “Bouchées Cannelle et Cassis” is available in-store and online. It comes in two 15-gram pieces, each containing 2.5 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBD. Because of this 1:2 ratio of cannabinoids, the CBD will dilute the effects of THC.
Studies suggest CBD interferes with THC’s ability to bind to the CB1 receptor in the brain. This means this edible with a 1:2 balance won’t produce the strong effects associated with THC edibles.
This may be great news for the canna-curious who may be anxious about their edible experience. But this is almost certainly a negative for the aficionado who finds a 2.5mg THC edible too low. Throw in the 5mg of CBD and at $7 for two bites it’s worthless.
Canadian edibles simply don’t impress the long-term cannabis connoisseurs. They can make higher doses at home. Or buy better products from the legacy market.
Nevertheless, if you’re goal is to relax without getting too buzzed, then this might be the product for you. The SQDC thinks so.
“With this product, we are offering one more option that is at a lower risk to consumer health since no combustion is necessary to consume it,” tweeted the SQDC.
The government monopoly also warns, “CAUTION! The effects may take up to 60 minutes to appear and may last up to 8 hours or occasionally longer.”
The Power of the SQDC
Quebec edibles aren’t a thing because of the personal preferences of one man. Premier François Legault.
Quebec is the only province in Canada where selling cannabis edibles is illegal. The SQDC is the only legal retailer in the province and so far Bouchées is their only edible product. And the province is sticking with these “bites.” They’re not calling them cookies since they’re sweetened with dates, not refined sugar.
Legault is clear he’s not interested in selling chocolates or gummies. He justifies the broader edible ban on the grounds that edibles might appeal to young adults. Not children, mind you, but young adults.
The province’s cannabis regulations state: “sweets, confectionery, dessert, chocolate or any other product attractive to persons under 21 years of age,” are illegal.
Fortunately, so long as the pandemic emergency powers aren’t in play, Quebec adults can drive across to Ontario or New Brunswick to buy their edibles.
Quebec Edibles: A Lost Opportunity
Quebec Edibles are a lost opportunity. The Quebec cannabis market is a lost opportunity.
Quebec does carry THC powders and beverages but bars vape products. Cannabis concentrates are capped at 30% THC.
Despite being Canada’s second-largest province by population, Quebec ranks among the lowest in legal cannabis sales. Quebec’s January cannabis sales totalled $47.9 million. Compared to their neighbour Ontario, with $137 million in sales.
Comparing Quebec to Alberta, a smaller province with a much smaller population, the results are even more staggering. With monthly cannabis retail sales at $61.5 million, Alberta is proof of what works. Private property, free markets and the rule of law create greater prosperity than the top-down socialist system of state monopoly. And without sacrificing public health and safety.
For the sake of Quebec’s cannabis consumers, one hopes Premier Legault gets a clue.