Nova Scotia defends pot plan

Nova Scotia is defending its unique cannabis retail scheme that will sell weed in existing liquor stores amid criticisms the arrangement poses a public health risk.

A Halifax psychology professor issued a news release criticizing the model, which the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation says is unique in the world.

Marijuana is to be sold under the same roof as alcohol, although the two retail areas will be kept separate.

Simon Sherry of Dalhousie University said Wednesday other jurisdictions have kept them separate because “it’s just not a good idea.”

But Justice Minister Mark Furey said Thursday the NSLC has a track record with regulated products, and is following a federal marijuana panel’s advice on protective measures including staff training and no crosspromotion.

Twelve cannabis stores will open inside NSLC locations on Oct. 17.

“We have full confidence in the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation’s ability to retail a regulated product,” said Furey. “Cannabis is co-located but it is very separate from the alcohol elements.”

Furey said the government will re-examine its retail model after a year, but he expects no changes.

“I think the next 12 months ‚Ķ is going to be an important period in the evaluation and assessment in the model we’ve advanced,” Furey told reporters Thursday.

In his news release, Sherry pinpointed three problems with co-sales: Some cannabis users are trying to avoid liquor stores because they have a problem with alcohol; they may encourage non-users to try cannabis products; and they may encourage harmful coconsumption.

There was no sign of a hare when an 11-kilogram tortoise was found roaming free in Edmonton before he was eventually identified by its owner.

The Animal Care and Control Centre says the tortoise was discovered north of the city’s downtown on Wednesday night.

Tanya Laughren, the centre’s community relations adviser, says someone saw him and thought he shouldn’t be out on his own.

The centre says that unlike a cat or dog, the tortoise didn’t have a microchip to help find his owner.

The tortoise — named Torty — looked quite proud of himself, surrounded, by his rescuers, in a photo posted on the centre’s Facebook page.

The post was shared extensively and Torty’s owner contacted the centre.

“We’ve been able to identify someone who we think is the owner. We haven’t made complete confirmation yet, but hopefully the owner will be able to come in this weekend,” Laughren told CTV Edmonton.

The desert tortoise, estimated to be about 10 years old, hangs out in the yard and it’s believed he might have escaped through a hole in the fence or when a gate was left open.

“At first (the owner) thought it was stolen,” Laughren said. “You do have to be careful and always supervise your pets. But they are thrilled to hear Tort is here and Tort is safe.”

Laughren said the centre has found stray turtles before, but Torty is the biggest one so far.