HALIFAX – Tensions remain high in Nova Scotia regarding the sale of unregulated cannabis, leading to protests and increased law enforcement efforts, CBC News reported Friday.

Cannabis Sales and Treaty Rights

Protests, including a highway blockade, have occurred as the Mi'kmaq community asserts that selling cannabis is a treaty right. This claim is disputed by the Nova Scotia government. In December, Nova Scotia’s justice minister directed police to crack down on illegal dispensaries.

Health Concerns Over Extreme Workouts

Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting an unusual spike in an illness caused by exercising too intensely, according to a CBC News report. The condition, called rhabdomyolysis (or “rhabdo”), can lead to serious health outcomes, including kidney failure. Since October, 20 people, mostly women between 19 and 30 years old, have been treated in hospital emergency rooms for the condition. Experts suggest fitness trends and social media may be contributing factors, with individuals pushing themselves too hard. Symptoms include extreme pain, swelling, and dark-colored urine.

Artemis II Mission Update

The CBC broadcast featured an interview with Dr. Catherine Hansen, wife of Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, as the Artemis II mission continues. Dr. Hansen stated that the crew is very close and supportive of each other. She described a recent private communication with her husband after the crew’s flyby of the dark side of the moon, during which he expressed his excitement about the mission and zero gravity. The crew also honored Carol Weissman, the wife of a friend who passed away from cancer, by naming a crater on the moon after her. Dr. Hansen indicated that the crew’s emotional response to this moment was profound. The Artemis II Splashdown is scheduled for Friday, with CBC News Network providing live coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.