Pubdate: Fri, 11 Mar 2016 Source: Truro Daily News (CN NS) Copyright: 2016 The Daily News Contact: http://www.trurodaily.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1159 Author: Ashley Thompson Page: 5 NEWER DRUG SHOWING UP IN ANNAPOLIS VALLEY RCMP Seize Shipments of Shatter It's time for more chatter about shatter. "The RCMP in the Annapolis Valley has successfully interdicted two shipments of shatter in the last four months. This is a newer product in the Valley," said Cpl. Michael Hynes of Annapolis Valley Traffic Services. In August, Kings District RCMP members investigating a cell phone- related traffic violation in New Minas seized about 100 grams of shatter. As a result, a 21- year-old Bridgewater man was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. On Feb. 28, a 25-year-old man was arrested in Grand Pre after Annapolis Valley RCMP Traffic Services seized 32 grams of shatter during a weekend traffic stop. "Shatter is the purified form of butane honey oil processed from the shake of the marijuana plant," said Hynes. The substance is typically golden in colour, but the texture can change according to the temperature. "Shatter has a golden color and its texture varies depending on the temperature of the location where it's stored. When it's warm, it's soft and sticky, much like toffee or thick caramel. When it's kept at room temperature or cooler, it becomes brittle and will break into small shards, similar to a very thin piece of peanut brittle - minus the nuts," said Hynes, noting that it is commonly packaged in parchment paper and small envelopes. Hynes warns that the high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol in shatter can result in undesirable side effects. "It should not be used by occasional or first-time cannabis users. Side effects range from euphoria to paranoia and confusion and there are concerns that shatter may pose a risk to persons with heart conditions," said Hynes. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom