NSLC cannabis sales continue steady rise

For Jamie Raybould, cannabis products serve as both a healthier option and a more financially viable alternative to other drug and alcohol products.

Raybould, a customer of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation’s marijuana outlet on Clyde Street in Halifax, feels cannabis has become a “more affordable option for people, as an alternative to alcohol … now that it’s more widely available.”

Second-quarter sales numbers released by the liquor corporation on Tuesday showed cannabis sales increasing 3.9 per cent to $32.6 million. The NSLC also saw the average amount spent by customers increase 3.4 per cent to $37.

Raybould thinks sales went up because of “the increased normalization of weed as a social substance.”

Alcohol sales also increased, but not to the same degree as cannabis sales.

Cannabis sales have been increasing steadily for years.

For the fiscal year ending, March 31, 2024, cannabis sales increased 8.9 per cent, down slightly from 9.3 per cent in 2023.

However, the corporation said, while overall cannabis sales are up, local cannabis sales decreased 10.1 per cent to $9.2 million, with Nova Scotia cannabis products accounting for 28.3 per cent of all cannabis sales.

Customer Mohammad Itani, a student at Saint Mary’s University, says cannabis has become the more health-conscious choice.

“Scientifically speaking … alcohol is way more dangerous than weed,” said Itani.  “Some people have a drink, others have a smoke. It’s much more of a personal kind of decision rather than anything else.”

Health complications from alcohol were also on the mind of customer Aaliyah Simone.

“I think that is because (we) are watching what the intake is into (our) bodies,” she said.

“Cannabis is good. You can inhale it, you can eat it, you can do whatever. Alcohol, not so much. You can only drink it,” she said.

“Studies have shown that (alcohol causes) liver damage and increases Alzheimer’s (risk), increases cancers and I feel like with cannabis, it being a natural product, people are taking a chance on it now and maybe not seeing it as the bad guy anymore.”