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Dispensing Freedom

National Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association announces inaugural board of directors, seeks to create opportunities and equity in the cannabis industry for Indigenous people

From Madison 365 by Jnae Thompson November 17 2023 The National Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) has announced an expansion to a growing interest in the cultivation and innovation of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry. Recently the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, the national Indigenous-led nonprofit creating opportunities for Indigenous communities in cannabis and…

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

CAMPBELLTON, NB – On October 12th, 2023, Mi’kmaw fisherman Copy Caplin appeared in court to fight an attempt by Crown prosecutor Denis Lavoie to summarily dismiss his constitutional challenge as “manifestly frivolous.” Caplin, a Mi’kmaw man from Ugpi’ganjig Eel River Bar First Nation, has been fighting charges under the Fisheries Act for exercising his Aboriginal and treaty rights to fish for food. 

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…

National Indigenous Cannabis Policy Summit Convenes November 2023

The second annual National Indigenous Industry and Policy Summit convenes Tribal leaders, advocates, and policymakers to discuss cannabis legalization and Indian Country  From Cannabis & Tech Today by Patricia Miller October 24 2023 Washington DC, Aug. 15, 2023 — The second annual National Indigenous Cannabis Policy Summit, hosted by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry…

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…

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Approves First Medical Cannabis Cards

Following medical cannabis legalization in 2021, the tribal police commission recently held a meeting to discuss medical cannabis cards, product transport, and the progress of their cultivation site. From High Times by Nicole Potter October 18 2023 The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is continuing its path toward cannabis…

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…

BC First Nation utilizing new “sovereign” edibles store next to their own provincially-licensed retail store

A First Nations-owned cannabis producer and retailer is now taking what they say is a “hybrid approach” to cannabis sales on their reserve lands. From StratCann by David Brown October 10 2023 Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) is the signatory of the first government-to-government agreement with the Province of British…