How to Spot Illegal Cannabis
Where Can You Buy Legal Cannabis in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Cannabis NL and approved independent Licensed Cannabis Retailers are the only legal retailers allowed to sell recreational cannabis products in Newfoundland and Labrador. Recreational cannabis purchased from a source other than a Licensed Cannabis Retailer or Shopcannabisnl.com is illegal.
Look for this sign:
All approved cannabis retailers will have signage clearly visible. Or check out the full list of Licensed Cannabis Retailers here.
Check for the Excise Stamp
One of the easiest ways to verify that your cannabis is legal is by checking for an excise stamp. In Canada, all legal cannabis products must have an excise stamp, which is placed on the packaging by licensed producers before distribution. This stamp signifies that the product has passed necessary regulatory checks, including taxation by the federal government. Each province and territory will have their own unique excise sticker to identify the jurisdiction the product is to be sold in. If product packaging lacks an excise stamp, or has the different jurisdiction listed, it is a strong indicator that the cannabis could be illegal.
What does the Excise Stamp look like ?
Look for Standardized Cannabis Symbol
The THC symbol is required on the front of cannabis products that contain more than 10 micrograms per gram of THC.
Other Red Flags
Unrealistically Low Prices
It’s natural to be attracted to cannabis that appears to be a great deal, but unrealistically low prices can be a major warning sign. Legal cannabis is subject to various taxes, regulatory costs, and quality controls that ensure the product is compliant with Canadian laws. As a result, it is generally sold at market-appropriate prices.
Illegal cannabis, however, is often priced significantly lower than what you would find at a Licensed Cannabis Retailer. If you come across cannabis priced far below the typical market rate, this is a red flag that it could be illegally sourced. Always be cautious when faced with a deal that seems too good to be true.
Excessive THC Levels
When purchasing any cannabis product, always verify the THC content listed on the packaging to ensure it complies with Health Canada regulations. If the THC levels seem excessively high or the labeling is unclear, it's likely that the product was not legally produced.
Unrealistically high THC concentrations in cannabis products are often a major red flag for illegal or unregulated products. Health Canada has imposed strict limits on the maximum allowable amount of THC content for certain classes of products to ensure controlled consumption. However, many illicit products will claim THC levels that far exceed the federal limit.
As example, the maximum allowable THC content for a single edible or beverage serving is 10mg. However, illegal edibles and beverages often boast THC levels in excess of 50mg or more per serving—posing a serious risk to consumers, particularly those who are inexperienced or unaware of the potency.
Understanding how to spot illegal cannabis is essential for protecting yourself and ensuring you’re complying with Canadian laws. Always purchase cannabis from licensed producers and authorized retailers to guarantee you’re getting a regulated and legal product. Look for proper packaging, clear labeling, and excise tax stamps, and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.