From The Advocate by Kevin Adshade January 28, 2026
The battle between First Nations and the Province of Nova Scotia over cannabis sales took another turn recently.
It has been reported that Public Works employees and the RCMP have been taking down business signage for weed dispensaries that are located within 33 feet of the centre yellow line of provincial highways, stating it is considered Crown land and therefore, under provincial jurisdiction.
In a Jan. 18 statement attributed to Pictou Landing First Nations (PLFN) Chief Tamara Young and council members, they said they will not accept the decision.
“The province has not met its obligations to engage in meaningful consultation with our Nation before taking enforcement actions that affect community businesses and economic development,” the statement read.
“Provincial authority is not automatic or absolute, particularly when Indigenous rights, title and governance are involved.”
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. (NSLC) is the only legal retailer of recreational cannabis in the province. It was reported that in the fiscal year that ended March 31 of last year, about $127 million poured into provincial coffers from the sales of cannabis and related products, which was a five per cent increase over the previous fiscal year.
Mi’kmaq reserves and the business owners that offer cannabis products want to keep a piece of the action. A PLFN weed store owner told The Advocate in December that there are between 12-15 businesses on the reserve that are selling cannabis.
“(We) are treating this matter very seriously and are asserting our Nation’s right to be consulted and involved in decisions affecting our land and businesses,” read the statement from Pictou Landing First Nation chief and council.
“No decisions will be made without careful considerations of our rights, our laws and the long-term impacts on the community.”
The federal Liberal government made cannabis legal in October 2018.
In December, Justice Minister and Attorney General Scott Armstrong said through a spokesperson that any cannabis dispensary that is not operated by the NSLC is illegal.
“These illegal outlets pose serious risks to public health and safety — from exposing youth, to untested products, to organized crime. That is not acceptable.” Armstrong stated.
“Government’s responsibility is clear: to protect the health and safety of all Nova Scotians. Illegal dispensaries must be shut down and those responsible held accountable. Government fully supports the efforts of police to enforce the law.”
The latest shot across the bow has some PLFN dispensary owners wary of and unwilling to speak to the media, but one employee at a weed store, wishing to remain anonymous, said that the business owners have the backing of the chief and council.
“The chief and council are supporting us,” said the employee.
Another employee at another store called the government’s angle about weed possibly being laced with fentanyl “bull—-t” and said the business owners work together to ensure their products are safe, adding that they’ve never heard of any problems related to their cannabis being laced with fentanyl or any other dangerous drug.
Comments are closed.