SQDC stores in Quebec could stay open at night, and it’s not just for convenience

<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/people-line-up-outside-an-sqdc-in-montreal-quebec.jpg?id=51074410&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C12%2C0%2C12"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/sqdc-montreal" target="_blank">SQDC stores</a> in Quebec could soon stay open as late as 10 p.m. every day, thanks to <a href="https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/projets-loi/projet-loi-85-43-1.html" target="_blank">Bill 85</a>, a proposed law that would extend operating hours for some locations across the province.</p><p>If passed, Bill 85, which aims to reduce regulatory restrictions, would allow up to 15 SQDC branches to extend their operating hours — especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Right now, most of the cannabis corporation's locations close at 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and many shut their doors at 5 p.m. over the weekend.</p><p>Meanwhile, many Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) branches can already close at 10 p.m.</p><p>"The SQDC has been in operation for six years now, and we've been asking to extend our opening hours," SQDC spokesperson Chu Anh Pham said in an interview with <a href="https://www.narcity.com/fr/succursales-sqdc-ouvertes-22h-loi-quebec-2025" target="_blank">Narcity Quebec</a>. "This bill would allow us to do that without needing special permission."</p><p><em></em>Why the push for later hours? According to the SQDC, the Crown corporation which operates the legal monopoly on recreational cannabis, it’s about offering more flexibility to customers while steering them away from the black market. </p><p><span></span>"We know many clients prefer shopping in the evening, and if we're not open, they may turn to illegal options," Pham added.</p><p>The SQDC opened its first branches in 2018 and now runs 101 locations across Quebec. In its <a href="https://www.sqdc.ca/en-CA/about-the-sqdc/acces-to-information/Publications?origin=dropdown&c1=about-the-sqdc&c2=access-to-information&c3=publications&clickedon=publications" target="_blank">latest financial report</a>, the company reported $235.9 million in Q3 2024-2025 sales, a 17% increase from the same period last year, driven by growing demand for cannabis concentrates.</p><p>No official list of which stores might get the extended hours has been released, but the proposed law is still under review. </p><p><em> This story was adapted from the article <a href="https://www.narcity.com/fr/succursales-sqdc-ouvertes-22h-loi-quebec-2025" target="_blank">"Des SQDC du Québec pourraient bientôt ouvrir jusqu’à 22 h tous les jours et voici quoi savoir"</a> which was originally published on Narcity Quebec by Jean-Michel Clermont-Goulet.</em></p><p><em><br/></em></p><em>MTL Blog does not condone the overconsumption of alcohol or other substances. If you're going to drink alcohol or consume cannabis, please do so responsibly and only if you're of legal age.</em><p><em><br/></em></p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em><p><em><br/></em></p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em>

mingooland February 14, 2025

2 min read