A new bill in Nova Scotia that strengthens the province’s efforts at enforcing cannabis regulations against unlicensed operators and their landlords passed third reading on April 7. The bill is now awaiting Royal Assent and proclamation, by order in Cabinet, that it comes into force.
Bill 200, An Act to Amend Chapter 3 of the Acts of 2018, the Cannabis Control Act, was introduced by Scott Armstrong, Nova Scotia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on February 25.
The legislation includes several changes to provincial law, such as designating new law enforcement officers for dealing with unlicensed cannabis stores, and adding a new offence when landlords permit a location to be used for the distribution or sale of cannabis in violation of the provincial Cannabis Control Act.
The bill also increases fine amounts, sets mandatory minimum fines, and includes amendments clarifying that courts can infer a product is cannabis based on its appearance and odour. Lastly, the new law would allow the court to accept a certificate from the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation as proof that a person charged under the Act did not procure the product at the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC).
The bill was debated during second reading over the course of four days, with a failed opposition amendment introduced in the Committee of the Whole House. The amendment called for no order and proclamation to be made under subsection one of the proposed legislation “until the Minister develops and publishes an analysis of whether the number and locations of Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation cannabis outlets and other authorized cannabis retailers are sufficient to meet demand in all regions of the Province and discourage the illegal sale of cannabis.”
Nova Scotia passes bill to increase enforcement against unlicensed cannabis stores and landlords
