Chris Lowrey
PONTIAC Oct. 9, 2018
Sûreté du Quebec have announced that a joint investigation by the MRC Pontiac, Vallée de la Gatineau and Antoine Labelle has led to the seizure of more than 100 kilograms of cannabis.
Police say they seized more than 3,200 cannabis plants, representing a haul of 105 kilograms, during searches over the last month.
Eleven people were arrested in connection with the busts and could face charges of cannabis production.
Sûreté du Quebec spokesperson Marc Tessier said that he didn’t have any information on how much of the seizure came from the Pontiac.
“I know there were arrests made in the Pontiac, but I don’t have that number,” Tessier said.
The seizure is the result of several investigations.
“We had some [investigations] that were quick and other ones that took a bit longer,” he added.
Tessier said that the Sûreté du Quebec had help from other law enforcement agencies.
“We did some fly-overs with our partners from the Armed Forces,” Tessier said. “After that we went [to those areas] with some four wheelers to take those plants out.”
In a press release, the Sûreté du Quebec warned that it will continue to fight against the illegal production of cannabis, despite legalization on Oct. 17.
“Five hundred plants in a corn field is still going to be illegal,” Tessier said. “The only place that you are able to buy legal cannabis in Quebec will be the government stores and online.”
Police also want to remind people that growing cannabis in any capacity is illegal in Quebec.

Quick facts
CALEB NICKERSON
PONTIAC Oct. 17, 2018
As of 12:00 a.m. on Oct. 17, recreational cannabis will be legal across Canada. Here’s a rundown on how the new legislation is being rolled out in La Belle Province, which has some of the most restrictive laws in the country:
Legal age
The minimum age to purchase and consume cannabis in Quebec will be 18, though the federal legislation allows provinces to set it higher if they see fit.
The new CAQ government has promised to up the provincial minimum to 21 as soon as possible, but has yet to set a timeline. This mirrors the recommendations of groups like the Canadian Psychiatric Association, who raise concerns about the effect of cannabis on brain development.
Where to buy
Federal law allows citizens to grow up to four plants per residence but Quebec has banned all home growing. Manitoba is the only other province to nix it.
The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC), an affiliate of the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) will be the sole distributor in Quebec. The SQDC has announced 15 locations that will be open across the province by the end of the month, and will also have an online store.
The closest location to the Pontiac is currently in Mirabel, but the SQDC has promised to open roughly 150 stores across the province in the next couple of years.  According to the SQDC’s website, online sales will be operational as soon as the federal law comes into effect.
What to buy
Citizens will be able to purchase and carry up to 30 grams (roughly an ounce) at a time, and are limited to 150 grams in their residence.
Dried and fresh cannabis, as well as pre-rolled joints and gel capsules will be available. Edibles, vape pens and concentrates will not, as the Federal government has yet to table legislation regarding their sale.
Where to smoke
Currently, cannabis smoking will be prohibited in a similar fashion to tobacco, with limits enforced around hospitals, schools and entrances to businesses. The CAQ has signaled that they would prohibit all public cannabis consumption, though they have yet to change the law.
Municipalities have the option of passing their own bylaws and several boroughs around Montreal and Quebec City have already moved to ban public pot smoking. Pontiac mayors will be discussing the issue at the MRC meeting on Oct. 17 (see story below).
Quebec landlords will have 90 days following Oct. 17 to modify currently signed leases if they choose to ban tenants from smoking cannabis. This will not apply to those with a medical prescription.
Driving
Quebec has introduced a zero tolerance policy for driving under the influence of cannabis or other narcotics. Though the feds have approved the use of a roadside saliva test – the Dräger DrugTest 500 – to aid in detecting impaired drivers, Quebec police forces have not adopted the technology.
Critics have pointed out that the Dräger has a fairly high rate of false-positives (close to 15 per cent for cannabis, according to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology), doesn’t operate properly in temperatures below -4°C and can take up to ten minutes to analyze a sample.
Without a reliable roadside saliva test, officers will continue to use their professional judgment, as well as behavior tests, to determine if a driver is stoned before requesting a blood sample. If a driver is deemed intoxicated, police have the authority to immediately suspend their license for 90 days.