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Posts published in “Government Laws”

Sudbury trial raises questions about Indigenous rights to sell cannabis

Outcome could have broader implications for how pot is sold on and off First Nations From CBC by Aya Dufour January 15 2024 Although the 10 defendants who logged into a virtual Superior Court of Justice trial on Monday are from different areas of Ontario, they have two things in common: they’re Indigenous, and…

Navajo Authorities Charge Two Tribal Members Over Illicit Cannabis Farm

In the latest development from an ongoing legal battle involving the Navajo Nation, two tribal members have been formally charged with illegal marijuana cultivation. A lawyer for one of the defendants said that the facility was growing hemp, not marijuana. Staff Report from Ganjapreneur January 11 2024 According to a…

Indigenous Cannabis on the Rise

Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association CEO Mary Jane Oatman shares insights into the current tribal and Indigenous cannabis landscape, major opportunities including retail and nation-to-nation trade, plus challenges the organization is working to overcome. From Cannabis Business Times by Noelle Skodzinski December 19 2023 Approximately 11.7 million Americans identify as partially or entirely…

Indigenous cannabis entrepreneurs choose between government red tape and reserve ‘red markets’

From The Globe & Mail by Ryan Hook November 30 2023 On Alderville First Nation – a reserve south of Roseneath, Ont. – a dozen cannabis stores make up a short stretch of Highway 45, in what’s been dubbed “The Green Mile.” Since Canada legalized cannabis in 2018, the sector’s…

Former National Chief Del Riley to assist Mi’kmaw fisherman in New Brunswick constitutional challenge

Fisherman Cody Caplin is self-representing in a court battle over Mi’kmaq fishing rights; six days of trial are scheduled in December. CAMPBELLTON, NB – On October 12th, 2023, Mi’kmaw fisherman Cody Caplin appeared in court to fight an attempt by Crown prosecutor Denis Lavoie to summarily dismiss his constitutional challenge as “manifestly frivolous.”…

Shinnecock Nation welcomes weed, opening Little Beach Harvest dispensary

After eight years of hard work lobbying, development, outreach, and planning, the Shinnecock Nation celebrates the opening of Little Beach Harvest with a ribbon cutting. This is the first cannabis dispensary owned by the Nation, and the first in the county. This 5,000-square-foot, two-story retail space is on traditional Shinnecock lands in…

Quebec decision on Mohawk tobacco trade a ‘game-changing advancement’ in Aboriginal law, says lawyer

Court proposes new test to determine existence of Aboriginal right based on Indigenous legal system From Canadian Lawyer Mag by Aidan Macnab November 7 2023 A Quebec court has proposed a new test for determining the existence of an Aboriginal right based on whether the right was protected in the…

Indigenous pot shops face crowded market, constitutional questions 5 years since legalization

Some Indigenous people believe they have constitutional right to sell cannabis without government approval From CBC News by Erik White October 20 2023 After seeing how much it helped his father-in-law deal with Stage 4 cancer, Cecil (Junior) Shawana decided to get into the cannabis business. Shawana and his wife opened…