TRURO, N.S. — Demand for cannabis-enriched chocolates and other chewable products continues to grow, beyond the available supply.
And the NSLC says it will likely be months until the edibles shortage is resolved, with inconsistent supplies from distributors and only a small amount of product on the shelves.
“We’d like our customers to know we’ll have a very limited selection and a small number of products for some time to come,” said Beverley Ware, communications advisor for the NSLC.
NSLC Truro staff member Fawn Richardson, who works in the store’s cannabis section, says three shipments of edibles arrived in Truro between Dec. 23 and Jan. 10. Every shipment sold out in two days.
Richardson said the soft chewables are the most popular edible item available.
She said edibles often sell out as people view them as a healthier way to consume cannabis products.
“I would think it’s because people are trying to get away from the smoking aspect of cannabis and edibles are a much less harsh alternative to smoking,” said Richardson. “It’s easier on the body, not so hard on the lungs.”
Ware said supplies of all edibles are low because manufacturers entering this fledgling industry must adhere to strict regulations.
These include making products in separate facilities from regular foods and drinks. Cannabis edibles cannot contain caffeine or alcohol and must have plain packaging, to make them unappealing for children.
Like regular food products, all packaging must list ingredients, potential allergens and nutrition information.
“There’s been a lot to prepare for in this phase of legalization in a very short amount of time,” said Ware.
However, Ware said the range of products will expand in the coming months to include cannabis-infused baked goods and cold drinks.
NSLC customers in Truro can already buy a range of teas in ginger, lavender and vanilla flavours.
Cannabis edibles can also be ordered online at the NSLC’s website.
Products include THC-infused chocolates, whose online price starts at $5.99. A box of peppermints is $9.96 and a case of raspberry-flavoured chewables are $8.60 and up.
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Buying legal edibles
- The NSLC first launched its online retail site, myNSLC.com/Cannabis in 2018.
- Customers cannot access the website without a special free access code. People can pick up the code on a card at any NSLC store upon showing ID proving they are over 19.
- Edible cannabis will only be sold in packages containing a maximum of 10 milligrams of THC, the mood-altering chemical in cannabis. It must be in child-resistant packaging and non-appealing to children.
- Cannabis edibles cannot contain any added vitamins or minerals, nicotine, caffeine, sugars, sweeteners or colours, but flavours are allowed.
