;

The Charter of the French language and its regulations govern the consultation of English-language content.


Overpackaged products: why?

Here at the SQDC, we’re aware that the products we sell may appear to be overpackaged. Like our customers, we want packaging to be minimized to reduce its environmental impact. That is why we’re working closely with suppliers to find optimal packaging solutions.

Overpackaged products: why?

The process isn’t as straightforward as you might think. It requires considerable thought, discussion and coordination. Because cannabis is not an ordinary product, we are required to sell it responsibly, with a focus on protecting public health. Our producers and suppliers also have to meet the strict labelling and packaging rules imposed by the Cannabis Act and Health Canada.

Strict and important

The federal government’s Cannabis Regulations are very strict about labelling and packaging. The rules are important because they aim to prevent accidental consumption, especially by infants and children, and to provide consumers with the information necessary to make informed decisions.

Packages must therefore: 

  • Be airtight, tamperproof and opaque
  • Include a seal or other safety feature providing reasonable assurance that the container has not been opened prior to purchase and, for cannabis oil, is leakproof
  • The excise tax seal must be visible, meaning it must be applied directly to the packaging containing the cannabis or, if applicable, on the outer packaging (cardboard box)
  • Prevent the cannabis from being contaminated
  • Keep the cannabis dry
  • Meet the requirements of the Food and Drug Regulations regarding child-resistant packaging
  • Not contain more than the equivalent of 30 g of dried cannabis
  • Be shipped in that are unidentifiable (no brand or logo) containers (boxes).

The following information must be displayed on the labels of all cannabis containers:

  • Recommended storage conditions
  • Packaging date
  • Expiry date
  • The warning “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN”
  • Net weight, in grams, of the dried or fresh cannabis
  • Number of units
  • Net weight, in grams, of the dried or fresh cannabis in each unit
  • Quantity of THC, in milligrams, in each unit, preceded by “THC per unit”
  • Quantity of THC, in milligrams, that each unit could yield, taking into account the potential to convert THCA into THC, preceded by “Total THC per unit”
  • Quantity of CBD, in milligrams, in each unit, preceded by “CBD per unit”
  • Quantity of CBD, in milligrams, that each unit could yield, taking into account the potential to convert CBDA into CBD, preceded by “Total CBD per unit”
  • For cannabis products with a concentration of THC greater than 10 μg/g, the standardized cannabis symbol.

These requirements significantly reduce the lightweight packaging options available to producers. That said, we are working with producers and suppliers to identify potential solutions that will both reduce the amount of packaging involved and comply with current regulations.


The SQDC is recycling containers

We have implemented a recycling program through our network of stores to give a second life to the containers sold at the SQDC. The program is carried out in collaboration with TerraCycle and Canopy Growth. For more details, click here.