5 THINGS TO KNOW: MORE ABOUT SHOPPING FOR EDIBLES

CBD- and THC-infused drinks, cookies, chocolates, peppermints, sparkling water, teas and mumerous other products may be the stuff of dreams for some, but patience is a virtue.

Edibles have been available in NSLC’s 12 recreational cannabis stores since Dec. 23. But it’s a limited selection and NSLC communications advisor Beverley Ware said all stores were out of edibles on Jan. 7. However, she said a new shipment was due to arrive and be unpacked on Jan. 10 in Yarmouth.

NSLC's Yarmouth manager Mike Wilson said two shipments of edibles they received earlier were sold out in a day and a half.

“They were limited shipments, there wasn’t very much,” he said.

“Thursday’s our normal shipment day and customers are calling us first thing in the morning for edibles.”

The last shipment included peppermints, soft chews, packages of chocolate and chocolate bars, disposable vape pens and cartridges.

Flavoured teas – decaffeinated and caffeinated – containing CBD are still in stock, as well as a good variety of vape products.

The packaging is plain, printed with product information and featuring very little colour.

Sales clerk Bonnie Critcher says there’s a reason for that.

“The Department of Health has worked very diligently with producers to make sure that products are not appealing to children,” she said.

A cooler at the rear of the Cannabis store at the NSLC in Yarmouth

Cannabis-infused teas are among the many products available.

stands ready for infused drinks.

Critcher says chocolatiers from Belgium and France were hired to help create the chocolate products.

“It’s a blossoming industry. There just seems to be no end to 1 2 what they can do,” said Critcher.

At least one licenced local cannabis grower, Aqualitus in Liverpool, is now a supplier to NSLC.

Meanwhile, last spring, renovations took place at the Yarmouth NSLC to make it a signature store. These outlets offer customers a full assortment of beverage alcohol products from all categories. They also have a port section featuring premium wine and spirit-tasting units, as well as "limited finds" and a “cool zone,” which is the walk-in refrigerated area.

In addition, signature stores have a trained product specialist to assist customers in exploring the assortment of products.

CARLA ALLEN PHOTOS Yarmouth NSLC manager Mike Wilson holds samples of cannabis products, with sales clerks Liz Wilson and Bonnie Critcher.

Edibles have proven to be so popular at the Yarmouth NSLC, the first two shipments sold out in a day and a half. The Crown corporation launched its online retail site, myNSLC.com/Cannabis in 2018. You can’t enter the website without a special access code, which can be obtained by showing up in person at any NSLC store, presenting a valid ID confirming you’re 19 or older and accepting a special card. There is no cost to obtain the card. Edible cannabis will only be sold in packages containing a maximum of 10 milligrams of THC, the mood-altering chemical in cannabis. They must be in child-resistant packaging, shelf stable, and nonappealing to children, and must contain ingredient and nutritional information. Cannabis extracts can have no more than 10 mg of THC per unit or 1,000 mg of THC per package and can contain no added vitamins or minerals, nicotine, caffeine, sugars, sweeteners or colours, but flavours are allowed. Website quick link: https://bit.ly/2N5aL3t

Yarmouth NSLC sales clerk Liz Wilson stands next to an empty cooler that will soon be full of cannabis-infused drinks.

“It’s like a Swiss Army knife for cannabis,” said sales clerk Bonnie Critcher, referring to the Doobtool. The case has 10 tools regular users of cannabis need.

Vape cartridges are in stock – Spinach is the name of the producer, not the flavour.