Police said they raided an unauthorized cannabis storefront on St. Margaret’s Bay Road and seized over $60,000 in cannabis products, some of which are allegedly targeted at children.
Nova Scotia RCMP said the raid at Timberleaf Alternative Medical Society was conducted on Monday at 9 a.m.
Police said that among other things, they seized very high-potency THC that is sold in the form of Lego blocks.
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In an initial news release, police stated the Lego blocks contained a 500 mg dosage that is “strong enough to kill a child.”
But in an updated news release Wednesday afternoon, RCMP Cpl. Lisa Croteau said the initial release “included references and opinions that are outside of the scope of Nova Scotia RCMP.”
“There’s just some information on there, and some opinions that didn’t follow our process or our protocol,” said Cpl. Croteau.
“We had to send an amendment just so people are aware that this is what should have been sent out in the first place.”
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In the initial release, police said Timberleaf Alternative Medical Society has made almost $1 million and spent only $50,000 on expenses, without paying taxes, since Jan. 1.
“This was a ‘cash only’ business,” the initial release said. “A small number of people are making extreme profit and operating under the radar of Canada Revenue Service. Most of these profits leave Nova Scotia and don’t support our local economy.”
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Police went on to say the dispensary used a promotional tactic that they are helping people with prescriptions, selling cannabis at a lower cost than government stores and offer better quality goods.
“None of these products are subjected to any quality control and many of the cannabis-related products are made in dangerous processes that involve harmful, toxic and volatile solvents,” the initial release read.
“These products are often made in private homes under unsanitary conditions.”
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The RCMP cited an example in Lower Sackville, where a cannabis dispensary was shut down two weeks ago. Police said people at the dispensary were filling gel capsules with a cannabis derivative by hand in a room that was “infested with rat feces.”
The only legal seller of cannabis in Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) or a Health Canada-approved online distributor.
“If you buy cannabis from illegal sellers, you are breaking the law, you are supporting organized crime and you are placing your health at risk,” the RCMP stated.
In the amended news release, the RCMP omitted how much money the dispensary has made and the reference to the Lower Sackville raid. It also said one man is facing charges in connection with the search, despite the original release indicating there were two arrests.
Cpl. Croteau said the release was sent out by the on-duty watch commander.
“Human error sometimes happens. We apologize for the confusion and for the information that shouldn’t have been put on the release.”
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