TRURO, N.S.
Go low and go slow.
That’s the message NSLC customers can expect from their “hosts” at the newly established cannabis centres when they open for business Oct. 17.
“We’re telling customers, especially those who are unfamiliar, that they need to go slow; so use lower percentages of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), at least until you come to understand the product and how it affects you,” said communications advisor Beverley Ware during a tour this week of the cannabis centre at the Court Street location in Truro.
Federal legislation dictates cannabis products being sold cannot be displayed where they are readily visible to anyone under age 19. The cannabis centre is located in the rear corner of the store where the homemade wine section once was. It’s specifically designed so as to be hidden from prying eyes of those not allowed to enter.
“We have made it as warm and inviting and as open and bright as we can while still adhering to the federal regulations where the store has to be separate,” Ware said. “
“That’s why it’s so important that this section is designed the way it is,” she added. “The product cannot be visible to minors.”
On entering, cannabis customers will be met by a host who will inquire about past experience – if any, with such products – and to provide information about how the various strains might affect them.
“We do recommend that our customers do as much research ahead of time before they get here because we do expect that there will be lineups,” she said. “And if you know what you want, you can pretty much go to the front of the line.”
Discovery guides on the walls generally inform people of the four basic reactions they can expect, ranging from the lowest level of THC, “relax,” to “unwind”, “centre” and “enhance.”
“If you are a newer user, if you are not experienced, then you are probably more likely to be looking to relax and unwind,” Ware said, while more experienced users might want to consider the higher strains of THC under the centre and enhance categories.
“If you are looking to have something to enjoy before you go to bed at night, that is going to impact the type of product that you buy,” added Heather MacDougall, NSLC’s director of Policy and Public Affairs.
The actual product will be secured behind the cashier’s counter in a series of opaque storage bins that will be labeled to indicate the type of cannabis in each, the THC level and purchase price.
The NSLC is receiving its supplies from 14 Canadian cannabis vendors – including two from New Brunswick – and one cannabis accessory vendor to provide 78 separate strains.
The Truro store is one of 12 initial locations approved for cannabis sales and the NSLC says it is expecting to sell approximately 15 million grams in the first year.
The strains and amounts have been selected based on a number of criteria, including relevant sales data from the recreational and medical cannabis markets in Canada and the United States, product availability and the suppliers’ ability to provide a continuous supply.
With its first purchase orders, the NSLC will carry 282 recreational cannabis products in five formats, including flower (bud), seeds, pre-rolls, oil and gel caps.
It will also be offering 21 accessory products, such as rolling papers, pipes, bud grinders and storage lock boxes.
“Were telling customers to store their product. Keep it out of reach of children. We don’t want minors having access to the product,” Ware said.
“You won’t actually be able to smell the product or anything like that,” she said. “That has actually been an issue or concern, I guess, with some of our beverage alcohol customers. They don’t want to be exposed to the smell, so the product will be in sealed packages that come from the supplier and then that will also be inside our bags.”
Although cannabis products can only be purchased within the centre, customers can pick up their alcohol beverages before entering so that both purchases can be made at once.
“And that way you don’t have to stand in two lines,” Ware said.
Approximately 12 part-time casual employees will be working within the cannabis centre overall, including a half dozen who have been hired specifically for that purpose.
“Eventually all our employees will be trained so they can work on either side,” Ware said.
