Know what you’re getting. Every time.
Nova Scotia, it’s time for a chat. Do you know what’s in your favourite cannabis products? Unless you bought it from the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC)—the only legal cannabis retailer in Nova Scotia—you may be in for a surprise. Only cannabis purchased from the NSLC is guaranteed to be rigorously tested to meet the high standards of Nova Scotians.
The NSLC works diligently to guarantee the quality of the products they sell. They also employ a team of top-notch experts who are happy to provide information to shoppers on all things cannabis. Shoppers can visit the NSLC’s 50 cannabis locations across the province to chat with specialists who can share product information, explain the differences between products, and help shoppers find the product they want.
Relaxing with an edible or sparking some flower with friends should be a soothing experience, not one that leaves you guessing. With regulated cannabis from the NSLC, you can rely on your product to do what you expect, when you expect it, every time.
Nothing beats the real deal

When purchasing cannabis from the NSLC, you can be sure that you get what you paid for—regulated cannabis, and nothing else. The flower, vapes, pre-rolls, edibles, and other products on NSLC shelves don’t get anywhere near an NSLC location before they meet standards in labelling, packaging, and content.
Cannabis purchased on the grey market has none of the safeguards the NSLC provides. Put simply, illicit cannabis products can be dangerous. And without guaranteed testing and regulations, you won’t have any idea what is in your cannabis until it’s too late. Some of the risks of buying grey market cannabis can include:
- Cannabis containing mould, bacteria, heavy metals, or other harmful additives.
- Mislabelled THC content, leading to over-intoxication or under-intoxication.
- Inaccurate strain information.
- Unlisted ingredients.
Labels matter

Luckily, it’s often easy to tell the difference between legal and illicit cannabis based on the packaging alone. This is one of the times you can—and should—judge a book by the cover! Regulated cannabis will always have the following features to set it apart:
Cannabis purchased on the grey market has none of the safeguards the NSLC provides.
- Standardized cannabis symbol.
- Health warning in English and French.
- Province excise stamp.
- Recommended amount for use.
- THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid content.
- Ingredients and nutrition information.
If any of those elements are missing from the packaging, you’re likely dealing with cannabis you can’t fully trust. Likewise, there are a few tell-tale features that you can use to spot illicit cannabis. Beware of:
- Colourful, flashy packaging.
- Branding reminiscent of popular candies or snacks.
- Images of celebrities or pop culture figures.
- Edibles containing more than 10mg THC.
If you spot cannabis with any of these warning signs, make sure you pass, don’t puff.
Experts on your side
At every NSLC cannabis location, you will find a team of friendly experts ready to help and provide information. They are eager to share their knowledge on strains, potency levels, and types of products with shoppers of all experience levels. The NSLC team are professionals and a source you can trust.
The cannabis industry continues to evolve. As it does, the NSLC remains dedicated to providing Nova Scotians access to regulated, tested cannabis. There’s simply no reason to get your cannabis anywhere but from the NSLC.
To browse the NSLC’s lineup of products and learn more about how they ensure Nova Scotia’s cannabis meets the highest standards, head to their website. You can also follow them on X, Facebook, and Instagram for any new announcements, like an upcoming pop-up shop filled with exciting cannabis vendors, coming soon to downtown Halifax. Keep an eye out for more information and to hear about other fun events first!