Nova Scotia has launched a crackdown on illicit cannabis sales after a province-wide scan revealed that unlicensed retailers outnumber regulated outlets by more than two-to-one. Under provincial legislation, the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) is the sole authorized vendor, but its 51 legal cannabis stores currently share the market with nearly 120 identified unregulated shops.

“Illegal dispensaries pose a real threat to consumers, to youth and to the integrity of our regulated system,” says Scott Armstrong, Nova Scotia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “Protecting Nova Scotians means strengthening our efforts, advancing new measures, and shutting down this shadow market before it can cause more harm to public health and safety.”

He has now directed all police forces within the province to prioritize enforcement of laws related to cannabis. That includes instruction to “disrupt the sale of illegal cannabis sold in storefronts across the province” while also gathering intelligence on illegal cannabis growing operations, distribution networks and trafficking activity, and targeting individuals and organized crime groups involved.

Provincial officials underscore that unregulated retailers pose risks of lax health and safety controls and are vulnerable to purposeful or inadvertent organized crime infiltration and money laundering.

“Cannabis sold outside the regulated system can have serious health impacts,” warns Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.