Article content

Eighteen or 21? The age of legal pot consumption was a topic of debate at public hearings on Thursday, with two medical associations at odds.

The Canadian Pediatric Society said 18 should be the minimum age to legally purchase recreational marijuana when the federal government legalizes it by July 1, 2018.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or 18 or 21? Age of legal consumption hot topic at pot-legalization hearings Back to video

A few minutes later, the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec, representing medical specialists, said it should be 21.

The two groups were among dozens of organizations presenting briefs at a provincial public consultation in Montreal on Thursday and Friday.

The sheer number of concerns and issues mentioned at the hearing showed the province has its work cut out for it as it prepares to introduce legislation this fall to regulate marijuana.

The legal age is a key one.

“We think 18-year-olds should be allowed because you drink, you vote, you can buy tobacco and alcohol,” Jean-Yves Frappier, a Hôpital Ste-Justine pediatrician, told reporters after presenting a brief for the Canadian Pediatric Society.