MONTREAL—The Quebec government wants to maintain strict controls over retail sales of marijuana when the drug is legalized by Ottawa in July 2018.

The province’s public health minister Lucie Charlebois tabled legislation Thursday morning that would create a subsidiary of the Quebec liquor board to handle the exclusive distribution and sale of pot through retail stores and online.

“We would have liked to have more time … but we have no option to be ready,” Charlebois told reporters in Quebec City.

The bill also includes a zero-tolerance approach for drivers whose saliva tests positive for cannabis or other drugs, a prohibition on promotion or advertising of cannabis products and severe restrictions on those who want to consume marijuana in public.

The Quebec government’s stated goal in tabling the legislation is: “to integrate consumers into, and maintain them in, the legal market without encouraging cannabis consumption.”

To that end, the province is creating fines for those who have cannabis in places like schools, daycares, jails. It wants to force operators of home day-care facilities to keep marijuana under lock to prevent it from being accessed by minors.

Quebec is also creating a $25-million Cannabis Prevention and Research Fund that will use revenue from marijuana sales to study of the effects on public health, treatment and harm-prevention activities.

Cannabis legislation tabled in Quebec Thursday includes a zero-tolerance rule on driving under the influence of the drug. Transport Minister Andre Fortin says failing a roadside test will result in a 90-day driving suspension. (The Canadian Press)

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