The NSLC’s marijuana supply is dwindling as local growers await the green light from Health Canada.
Cannabis producers must be approved before selling their product.
Finance Minister Karen Casey says the issue is country-wide.
“We have one [supplier] in Nova Scotia that currently has been approved, two more that are ready, so we’re encouraging Health Canada to give them the approval they need so that will add to the supply that we have,” she says.
Casey says while no stores have been forced to close, the province currently has less than 40% of the supply needed to keep shops in business.
Casey is concerned disappointed buyers may turn to other sources if they can’t buy the product legally.
“If our supply is down, we know people will buy from another supplier, and that’s the black market, and that was part of our strategy …is to break into the black market. So it is an issue,” she says.
Casey says she’s written to Health Canada twice regarding approval wait times, while all ministers have expressed the same concern to Minister Bill Morneau.
Story by Erin MacInnis
Twitter: @ErinEMacInnis
