Oh Halifax, you handsome SOB,

Anyone familiar with the term California Sober? If not, it’s a lifestyle choice where a person stops using hard drugs and alcohol, but continues to use cannabis. I get asked about this a lot as a sober person: can you still be sober and smoke weed?

To which I say: I dunno, but I can’t.

I can’t mess with any mind-altering substance because—to me—it’s a slippery slope and if I’m reaching for something to make myself feel different, that’s un-sober behaviour. I’ve seen way too many people throw away their sobriety because they thought they could dabble in other substances and get away with it. No buenos.

But also, weed turns everything in my brain on that should be off, making me a walking, talking panic attack that’s scared that someone will look at me or the phone will ring. One time I got high and then lost in an underground parking garage and, to this day, it was the scariest experience of my life.

But fun factoid about yours Julie: I wrote for an incredibly short-lived cannabis magazine, so I know a lot about the different properties and effects of sativa versus indica versus hybrids, THC versus CBD and even how the cannabinoid receptors work in the human body.

That said—and this could be because my drug of choice made me a little, let’s say, faster in thought and action—I find people that smoke marijuana regularly for recreation to be boring and generally un-fun. You can come at me all you want, but that’s my opinion based on my experience because this is an op-ed. And if still don’t understand what that means, please watch this ⬇️

Now that people are using cannabis as a cure for everything—no shade, it’s way better than having pills shoved down your throat by Big Pharma—I’ve been wondering what the long-term effects of all this use will have on the brain. Does it really make you forgetful and stupid? The federal government has decided to figure that out for us.

Federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel has announced $24M to create the Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium. A group of 10 research teams from across Canada will work together to study how cannabis affects the brain in people of various ages.

The consortium’s goal is to establish scientific evidence about both potential benefits and harms of cannabis—including its effects on epilepsy, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep, mental health and brain development in youth and during pregnancy.

I’m just gonna take a DB and calmly and cooly skip over the weed during pregnancy of it all, but I am interested to see what they find out. I do realize that people use marijuana for all sorts of reasons like pain management and insomnia, but I still think it’s important to know how it affects the brain in the long-term, especially after watching my mum disappear and eventually pass away form Alzheimer’s.

It’s like that time like 20 years ago when I went to get a consult for LASIK eye surgery when the procedure was in its infancy, and the doctor was all “it’s so great and not risky at all and even though we don’t know the long-term effects, you should do it because it will be fine” all while he himself was wearing…glasses.

Love and light it up!

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

Today: 🌦️ 26°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 23°

Next Day: 🌤️ 25°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

As Nova Scotia’s arts and culture sector continues to face the brunt of the cuts to public funding, two Halifax businesses are putting money behind a local fashion event they say brings creativity, diversity and economic activity to the downtown core.

The Downtown Halifax Business Commission and Patterson Law are supporting Halifax Fashion Week, which is now in its fifth year. The commission has sponsored the event since its launch in 2021, while Patterson Law has joined as a sponsor this year.

Their support comes as artists and arts organizations across the province contend with reductions to government funding.

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva speaks to some of the organizations who have stepped up to help fund Halifax Fashion Week.

⚖️ A bail hearing for a man accused of making a bomb threat against the U.S. Consulate was adjourned for a second consecutive day on Wednesday as police continued their investigation into the high-profile case—Ali Assakereh was charged with uttering threats and public mischief.

🚨 Halifax police are investigating after a man was found with a gunshot wound at a homeless encampment on Green Park Road in Dartmouth—he was transported to hospital with serious injuries.

🛋️ What if feeling better started with one conversation? You don't need all the answers. Sometimes the first step is simply deciding you deserve support today.*

🏎️ From Terry Fox’s Van of Hope to 100+ legendary vehicles, Steele Wheels brings Canadian history, automotive excellence, community, and rock ’n’ roll together.*

*Sponsored Post

At Purple Cow, they like to keep things simple, like their prices. When it started eight years ago, Purple Cow offered internet starting at $60 per month. Today, it still starts at $60 with no promotional offers that fall off, no rate increases, and no contracts. No weird hoops to jump through.

They're local. They're quick. And they keep it simple.

Follow the link to get your first month FREE so you can try it out at no risk to you.

The only thing painful... is realizing you could’ve done this months ago

🎞️ The Atlantic International Film Festival has announced its 2026 lineup—the festival will show 113 feature and short films at Halifax’s Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane from Sept. 16 to 23.

⚽ The Halifax Tides are making a historic player transfer to the Women’s Super League in England—goalkeeper Rylee Foster-Inman is headed across the pond to play for Everton FC.

🏛️ The province will introduce application fees for its immigration nominee program beginning Sept. 1—any candidate selected for an assessment through the province’s worker streams will be charged $1,000—the fee for the entrepreneur streams will be $2,000.

⚠️ The Halifax regional councillor for Bedford-Wentworth says he's been hearing from constituents who are concerned about how the police informed people about an armed man in the area over the weekend.

🚔 A half dozen people were stopped and were charged by RCMP after police conducted enforcement targeting HRM—it’s a rising concern for officers in the region, as they have been continuously pulling over impaired drivers in Halifax.

🚰 The federal government is spending $34M for 141 climate resilience projects across the country—Halifax is receiving nearly $800K to install cooling measures in its parks to help residents stay cool in extreme heat.

🚨 Crime rates slightly increased in Nova Scotia last year, despite crime severity dropping both in the province and across the country—the province’s crime rate was also higher than the national rate of 5,585 incidents per 100,000 people.

Get ready, Halifax! 🌟 The 12th Annual Children’s Festival is coming to Victoria Park on August 22, 11 AM–2 PM! 🎉 Enjoy music, games, mascots, face painting, and family fun. Best of all, it’s FREE! Bring the kids, bring your smiles, and make magical memories together.

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 North by Night Market: This pop-up style party with food, music, artisanal goods and lots of North End flair is sure to be a good time. Support your local economy and get to know your community better—the North by Night Market is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Halifax's fantastic summer season. | Aug 14 | 7pm |

🗓 The 8th Annual Halifax Salsa & Bachata Festival: This three-night festival brings downtown Halifax to life with dance, music, art, food, and community connection, welcoming everyone from first-time dancers to seasoned performers. Enjoy live music, social dancing, street festivals, cultural showcases, workshops, art exhibits and vibrant marketplaces featuring Afro-Latin food and crafts. | Aug 13-16 |

🗓 Bravo Festival for Young Audiences: Showcasing ten high-quality theatre, music, dance, puppetry, storytelling, and interdisciplinary performances created especially for children, this festival will honour the excitement of being part of a live audience, with bold visuals, playful characters, and imaginative storytelling that spark curiosity, creativity, and emotional connection. | Aug 13-16 |

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

➡️ The Atlantic Sun container vessel departed Halifax for Liverpool at 1am

➡️ The Atlantic Sail container vessel departed Halifax for New York at 1:30am.

🚢 The One Aquila container vessel arrived in Halifax from New York at 4:45am.

🚢➡️ The John J. Carrick barge departs Halifax for Montreal at 5am.

🚢➡️ The Leo A. McArthur tug departs Halifax for Montreal at 5am.

🚢➡️ The Volendam cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 8am and departs at 4pm.

➡️ The Box Endurance container vessel departs Halifax for Kingston at 8am.

🚢 The Nolhan Ava container vessel arrives in Halifax from St. Pierre at 8:15am

🚢➡️ The Don Carlos roll-on/roll-off vessel departs Halifax for New York at 3:30pm.

Now leasing in Clayton Park—discover brand-new rental apartments designed for modern living. Choose from spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites featuring in-suite washer and dryer, pet-friendly living, and exceptional amenities. Enjoy up to one month free rent plus free internet.

Suites start from the $1,900s. Find your next home today.

🍷 Explore one of Halifax's finest Italian wine collections, thoughtfully paired with authentic Southern Italian cuisine at Pazzo Ristorante.

🍦 This popsicle sold out in just 3 days! Dee Dee’s popsicles are back exclusively at Good Robot Commons: Chocolate 🍫 and 🫐 Blackcurrant Dreamsicle.

🌮 Bite into Antojo Tacos + Tequila's August Taco Feature, Carne Guisado, and make every taco count. $1 from each feature sold incredibly supports the IWK!

*sponsored

⭐ If the Grou Tyme Festival is proof of anything, it's that Acadian culture continues to thrive within Halifax and beyond. From musical guests to specially-catered foods, Aug. 13-15 will truly be a celebration of Acadian culture, all within downtown Halifax. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer tells you all about the upcoming Grou Tyme Festival.

⚖️ The man arrested in connection with a bomb threat made against the U.S. Consulate in Halifax is facing charges in the incident that shut down part of the city’s downtown—Halifax police said on Tuesday that 54-year-old Ali Assakereh has been charged with uttering threats and public mischief.

Thanks for reading The Coast Daily today.

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Haligonian.

And before you go, let us know: