Prices set for weed

Pot supply expected to be limited

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation has set its initial prices for cannabis — but says it will have less than 40 per cent of requested quantities on hand when the drug is legalized for recreational use on Wednesday.

The corporation says it had expected to offer 300 products representing 78 strains, but has been reduced to 97 products representing 52 strains due to supply problems it says are being experienced nationwide.

Cannabis will be sold at 12 locations across the province under three categories: Value — priced at between $6.33 and $8.49 per gram; Core — sold at between $9 and $10.98 per gram; and Premium — priced at $10.99 per gram and above.

Prices are to be determined by brand and package size with a price per gram that decreases as the product package size increases, while pre-rolls and accessories will also be sold at a variety of prices.

Dave DiPersio, the corporation’s senior vice-president and chief services officer, says it feels customers are being offered cannabis “at a variety of price points we feel are competitive and reasonable.’’

Based on estimated sales projections, the corporation says it expects to have a three-week supply of inventory on hand this week.

“Our suppliers are working hard to get the product labelled and shipped to us for Oct. 17,’’ DiPersio said in a news release.

“We will process inventory receipts as quickly as possible, so product is available to our customers.’’

Seeds and cannabis oil won’t be available on Wednesday, however, the corporation says the products will be added to its inventory as soon as they are available from cannabis producers.

The corporation says customers should note that lineups are expected because cannabis purchases take longer to process than alcohol purchases.

Online sales will also begin on Wednesday.