nova scotia raises fines, adds offences targeting unregulated cannabis sales
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the nova scotia government is increasing fines for illegal cannabis sales. previously the province had identified 118 unregulated retailers in the province.
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the province is introducing higher fines and new offences aimed at discouraging unregulated cannabis sales, including penalties for unregulated sellers who advertise cannabis and landlords who allow sales on their properties.
the changes to the cannabis control act took effect thursday after being passed during the spring legislative sitting in february.
attorney general and justice minister scott armstrong said the new measures are intended to protect young people and to reinforce the province’s regulated cannabis system where the nova scotia liquor corp. (nslc) is the only authorized retailer for recreational cannabis.
“nova scotia’s approach to cannabis regulation is squarely focused on public health and safety, especially for our youth,” armstrong said in a news release. “these changes reinforce that buying and selling cannabis outside the legal market is against the law.”
the province said it identified at least 118 illegal cannabis outlets in nova scotia, compared to 51 legal nslc cannabis stores, as it moved earlier this year to strengthen enforcement.
higher penalties for buyers and sellers
under new rules, a person under 19 found possessing cannabis can face a fine of between $250 and $500.
adults who purchase cannabis anywhere other than the nslc can face fines ranging from $600 to $5,000. the fine for an individual illegally selling cannabis now ranges from $5,000 to $25,000, while a business could face penalties of $15,000 to $50,000.
the changes also create new offences for unauthorized cannabis sellers who promote or advertise sales and for landlords who allow illegal cannabis sales on their property. each offense carries a fine of $25,000.
for unregulated sales involving at least one kilogram of cannabis, the province has created a penalty with a fine of twice the tax that would have paid on the legal sale, which it says works out to $3,680 per kilogram.
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nova scotia’s cannabis control act designates the nslc as the exclusive retailer of recreational cannabis in the province. adults 19 years and older can buy cannabis through designated nslc stores or online, while sales at other retailers remain illegal.
kings district rcmp seized items from a welton landing store jan. 30 under the nova scotia cannabis control act.
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the amendments also expanded enforcement provisions under the act. when the legislation was introduced in february, the province said it would allow the department to designate peace officers to enforce the act alongside police.
the province added that all cannabis offences in nova scotia carry mandatory minimum fines.
health concerns for youth
in its release, the province included a statement from dr. sabina abidi, associate chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at the iwk health centre, who said the program sees the impact of high-potency cannabis on youth mental health “first-hand.”
abidi said young people have raised concerns about the serious risks to mental health associated with high-potency cannabis and how easy the products are to access.
“we must strengthen measures that reduce youth access, promote safer use and prevent harm through collaboration among health-care providers, families, educators, communities, government and youth,” she said.
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