The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation has launched a new awareness campaign aimed at educating people about the risks associated with illegal cannabis.

NLC CEO Bruce Keating says research they did recently on illegal cannabis produced some “concerning” numbers.

About 10 per cent of survey respondents believed purchasing cannabis from a dealer is legal, while another nine per cent indicated they were unsure. As well, 32 per cent believe mail order marijuana sites are legal, with 43 per cent being unsure about it.

The corporation says the only legal place to buy cannabis in this province is through a licensed retailer, or through ShopCannabisNL.com.

Keating says the main message they want to get out is that illegal cannabis is unregulated – meaning there are no mechanisms in place to ensure it is safe.

“If you don’t know where it comes from, then you can’t know what’s in it.” Keating states that cannabis bought on the illicit market has been found to have mould, pesticides, bacteria, and other harmful substances in it. He says people are taking a risk if they are buying illegally.