UPS Official Says “Yes” to Cannabis Delivery in Québec

A senior executive from the United Parcel Service (UPS) signaled intent to plunge into the cannabis delivery business in Québec, Canada. In addition, UPS isn’t the only company competing to take over cannabis delivery, once recreational cannabis becomes legal in Canada.

The Canadian branches of UPS are open to the idea and have little concern of what’s inside the parcels they deliver. “Whether it’s cannabis . . . or a tuna can, if it’s legal, we’ll be there!” Nicolas Dorget, vice president of Strategic Partnerships at UPS Canada, told Le Journal de Montréal. “If the law says you have to deliver to someone over the age of 18, and you need maps to prove your age, we will be able to do these checks because we’re used to it,” he said, indicating that UPS has nearly 240 access points in Québec.”

Noémie Vanheuverzwijn, spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Social Services, said it’s too early to say if the plan is feasible or not. Purolator, a major Québec-based postal service, also expressed intentions to take over cannabis delivery in Québec.

It’s important to note that Canada Post has already been delivering medical cannabis within Canada for years, but under the watchful eye of Health Canada. Under Canada’s Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR), medical cannabis patients can buy medical cannabis only from licensed producers through Canada Post.

A planned strike at Canada Post last year cause licensed producer Tweed to switch courier companies. In some areas of the United States, cannabis is delivered locally through delivery drivers and services, but sending cannabis through UPS, DHL or the United States Postal Service is risky business as all organizations work with various law enforcement agencies to detect drugs in the mail.

The recent moves are indicative of the growing acceptance of cannabis in Canada. Cannabis, like any other product, could be delivered through UPS if the corporation decides to go that route.