Nova Scotians are buying less alcohol and more cannabis, according to the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. (NSLC). The provincial alcohol retailer released first-quarter financial results Tuesday, showing a slight dip in sales for drinks, but an uptick for cannabis when compared with the same period last year. Alcoholic drink sales totalled $182.6 million, down 1.7 per cent, while cannabis reached $36.8 million, up 11.2 per cent. The NSLC says it expanded access for shoppers last quarter, adding 33 cannabis cabinets to its outlets. “While we continue to see the trend of lower beverage alcohol sales volume, our overall sales results held steady in the first quarter, as growth in cannabis sales helped offset the decline in beverage alcohol sales,” says NSLC president and CEO Greg Hughes in a statement. The first quarter, representing the period from April 1 to June 28, 2026, showed total sales of $219.4 million, just up 0.2 per cent from last year. Total sales were steady, but total earnings dropped 6.8 per cent compared to last year, bringing in $62 million for the quarter. Explaining the decline, the NSLC points to increased labour and new technology costs as it modernizes its business operations. Shoppers also seem to be buying slightly less Nova Scotian drinks from the NSLC, too. The report shows total sales for the products were $26.1 million, a drop of 5.1 per cent. Just over $1.8 million U.S. products were sold during the quarter, and the NSLC continues to sell existing inventory without importing any more. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
