First Nation communities in northern Ontario say Canada and the province are ignoring their jurisdiction as they roll out their cannabis legalization plans.
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Negotiations are underway on a federal cannabis framework, that would see Indigenous communities run their own marijuana system, from grow-op to dispensary, separate from the provincial network.
B.C.’s largest First Nation is calling on the provincial government to rescind an application for a B.C. Cannabis store in a local shopping mall where its government hopes to open its own non-medical cannabis store.
“We have not been able to access a safe legal supply of cannabis because we were left out of the federal legislation,” Chief McLeod said.
Canada’s indigenous peoples, known as First Nations, want to get in on the legal cannabis action — or, in some cases, to continue to prohibit marijuana, in spite of federal legalization.
Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory has been named one of eight First Nations that have been approved for a retail cannabis outlet by the province.
Sarnia-Lambton, including Aamjiwnaang First Nation, has again been shutout of the lottery to get a legal cannabis retail store.
A brand-new cannabis retail store on Penticton Indian Band land could be short lived, since it does not have a provincial licence to operate and the government has confirmed it will be cracking down on illegal shops.
EDITORIAL: Time to clear the pot smoke. What’s not so clear is why dispensaries in Dartmouth and Sydney are being raided and those on the Millbrook reserve are not.
The Province of Ontario exercised authority outside of its jurisdiction by issuing eight cannabis retail licenses to First Nations communities. The Cannabis Act has downgraded the autonomy of First Nations to maintain jurisdiction and create laws