Province won't explain 118 illegal cannabis dispensaries count in N.S.

Nova Scotia says an initial assessment found at least 118 illegal brick-and-mortar cannabis stores and directed police to increase enforcement, but it has not released a review or provided detailed methodology.

The Nova Scotia government announced in early December that an initial assessment estimated at least 118 brick-and-mortar illegal cannabis stores in the province. It then issued a directive on Dec. 4 asking police agencies to step up enforcement. CBC News requested the provincial review the government cited but was told no such document exists. The Justice Department said the figure came from "standard intelligence" and did not provide further methodological detail. Key facts: - The province reported an estimate of at least 118 illegal brick-and-mortar cannabis stores and followed with a Dec. 4 enforcement directive to police agencies. - The Justice Department said the count was based on "standard intelligence" and told CBC that the referenced provincial review does not exist as a producible document. - RCMP and Halifax Regional Police said they do not maintain a provincial-level count of illegal dispensaries and referred questions back to the provincial government. - Some Mi'kmaw leaders and a dispensary owner raised concerns that the announcement affected First Nations communities; one owner has indicated he may pursue legal arguments about treaty rights. Summary: The announcement prompted questions about how the provincial estimate was calculated and led policing agencies to defer counting and methodological questions to the government. Undetermined at this time.