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Posts published in “Policy Analysis”

Trial for First Nations unregulated cannabis stores could have larger impacts

From The Penticton Herald by Jaquelin St. Pierre January 24 2024 SUDBURY—Next week, the Ontario Superior Court will hear a precedent-setting case involving 10 First Nations defendants facing cannabis-related charges dating back to the early days of the legalization of recreational cannabis. Ontario made the substance legal on October 17,…

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…

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.”…

Aboriginal Legal Service urges NSW government to go further on “welcome” drug reforms

From National Indigenous Times by Giovanni Torre October 12 2023 The NSW/ACT Aboriginal Legal Service has welcomed the NSW government’s new drug legislation as “a welcome step towards sensible, fair and evidence-based drug policy”, and encouraged stronger reforms. On October 12 ALS noted the proposed diversion scheme relies on police…

Is the Indigenous cannabis industry under financial blockade from Canada?

While some Indigenous dispensary owners have had their accounts closed for years, there seems to have been a recent uptick in financial actions taken against Indigenous entrepreneurs, almost to the point of an economic embargo. Many of these actions have taken place against individuals living in territories where Band Councils have passed by-laws acknowledging the sovereign right of their residents to cultivate and sell cannabis and where referendums and surveys have shown community support for the cannabis industry.

Senate committee urges Cannabis Act overhaul to address exclusion of First Nations

Committee chair says situation ‘yet another example of how Indigenous Peoples are being let down by Canada’ Brett Forester – CBC News The federal health minister should amend the 2018 Cannabis Act to recognize First Nations’ right to govern the possession, sale and distribution of cannabis on their lands, a…

Long Island Cannabis Conversations: Part II

Exploring the island’s Indigenous roots and futures From Long Island Weekly by Janet Burns March 24 2023 Our last installment left off in the island’s East End, where European colonists who grew hemp for sails and rigging left their mark behind with the name ‘Hamptons.’ For this installment, we return to Eastern…