DIGBY, N.S.- On Oct. 17 at 12:01 a.m. recreational cannabis became legal in Canada but for residents of Digby, they’ll have to travel to either Yarmouth or New Minas to visit the nearest NSLC locations that sell marijuana products.
Users do as well have the option to order online through the NSLC Cannabis website. In order to do so, users must visit a NSLC location and pick up an online access code to grant them access to the website.
Shortly after 10:00 a.m. when the store opened, a steady stream of interested buyers started flowing in to the Digby NSLC to pick up a code.
Without a cannabis store in Digby, most of the town seemed to be operating on a usual basis.
But for Nicole German, the owner of Ninth Star Jewelry in Digby, this week has been a busy one.
Ninth Star Jewelry sells smoking devices and accessories, it's the largest store of its kind in Digby. Conway Convienence also carries some products.
“For most people in Digby, today’s not going to be any different from any other day,” German said in an interview on Oct. 17.
Throughout the last week she has noticed the store busier than usual, with people coming in just browsing and asking questions about what to use.
“I think legalization is great, not just for business, but it almost gives the people who wouldn’t normally smoke weed, the green light to go ahead and try it,” she says. “This is a very progressive move for Canada.”
The store opened last year on Water Street in Digby and so far, they’ve been very profitable.
German doesn’t expect to see a cloud of marijuana smoke over Digby anytime soon, especially because there isn’t a store here. But she does hope to see a lot of customers picking up supplies at her store, after their online orders come in or after they come home from their trips to Yarmouth or New Minas.
“Legalization helps decrease the taboo stigma around marijuana and I’m sure there will be bumps in the road for the next couple of years, but this was definitely the right decision.”
READ ALSO: FANTASTIC TURNOUT FOR OPENING OF YARMOUTH NSLC CANNABIS SHOP IN YARMOUTH, SAYS MANAGER
On the street: The Tri-County Vanguard asks some Digby residents, what do you think of marijuana legalization?
Juanita Johnson believes with legalization, now whoever wants to smoke marijuana can safely access it.
“If your using it and it’s impairing your daily judgement that’s a different story, but I don’t see a difference in if you’re going home and relaxing after work with a glass of wine or a smoke.”
Katie Robicheau doesn’t think the government should have legalized marijuana.
“I think it’s just wrong,” she said. “I believe marijuana should be used for those who actually need it. It should only be used for medicinal purposes, not recreational.”
“Today is just another day for me, I don’t really have an opinion on it,” added Stephanie Marshall.
