Sask. to meet with First Nation operating unlicensed cannabis store

G

gb123

Well-Known Member
this fight will open up a can of worms they DONT SEE COMING :hump::idea:


Chief says band has a sovereign right to make its own cannabis rules but province disagrees
Ryan McKenna · The Canadian Press · Posted: Nov 20, 2018 8:02 AM CT | Last Updated: 10 hours ago

Dwight Newman, a University of Saskatchewan professor specializing in Indigenous rights, said it's 'pretty hard to find a treaty right to sell cannabis.' (Robert Short/CBC)
Saskatchewan's justice minister is to meet next week with the chief of a First Nation that has opened an unlicensed cannabis store.

Don Morgan says he and Anthony Cappo of the Muscowpetung Saulteaux First Nation are to discuss the issue next Monday in Regina.

Morgan says he hopes the situation doesn't end up in court.

"I would rather have some discussions, see it shut down and have an application that would go through the ordinary course," Morgan said Monday.

The store, Mino-Maskihki, is on the First Nation's land northeast of Regina and opened last week. Cappo has said the First Nation has a sovereign right to make its own cannabis rules.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, which oversees cannabis sales in the province, has sent a warning letter that says provincial and federal legislation still applies on reserve land.

It says Muscowpetung must have a provincial licence to open a pot store legally. It also says cannabis sold in a store must come from a grower with a federal licence.


Don Morgan said he will meet with Chief Anthony Cappo next week. (CBC)
"Cannabis that is produced for commercial sale by anyone who does not hold a federal licence under the federal Cannabis Act is illicit and cannot legally be possessed or sold anywhere in Canada," the letter says.

Muscowpetung spokeswoman Cherish Francis said the First Nation hasn't changed its position.

"We're in a tough position," Francis said of the legal aspects regarding the store.

She said the First Nation has responded to the government's letter, but the band won't release it publicly. Morgan said he hasn't seen Muscowpetung's response.

The store is still open and the last few days have been pretty busy, Francis said.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says it is supporting Muscowpetung's inherent and treaty rights. Chief Bobby Cameron wasn't available for an interview on Monday.

Dwight Newman, a University of Saskatchewan professor specializing in Indigenous rights, said it's "pretty hard to find a treaty right to sell cannabis"

"I guess that can be tested out in court, but I think it's stretching the treaty rights a little bit to assert that," Newman said from Saskatoon.

He said the province has the legal upper hand as well as the authority to apply its licensing regulations on reserves.

Newman wondered why the Muscowpetung Saulteaux waited until federal cannabis legislation was passed if the band is basing its claim on inherent rights.

He suggested the issue is similar to when casinos first opened in the province. Several gambling houses started to open on reserves without permission and eventually a provincewide plan was negotiated, he said.

Morgan is leaving it to police to shut down the store if they see fit. He said if the First Nation's argument is one of jurisdiction, then the province is likely off to court.

He hopes the First Nation will sit down with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority about applying for a cannabis licence.

Were the band to receive provincial approval, it would be the first on-reserve cannabis shop in the province, he said.
 
G

gb123

Well-Known Member
GreenHighlander said:
The province doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. First nations have their own rights. Given to them by our highest court. There is no winnable case for any of the provinces in regards to the sovereignty of the right of first nations on this subject.

Cheers :)
Click to expand...
I had mentioned that the natives were going to hand our feds their ass in a hand bag with the way it is. They are dreaming if they think they have any control over what the natives do with this NEW industry.
Our wanna be feds have
No legs to stand on:hump::idea:
 
GreenHighlander

GreenHighlander

Well-Known Member
gb123 said:
I had mentioned that the natives were going to hand our feds their ass in a hand bag with the way it is. They are dreaming if they think they have any control over what the natives do with this NEW industry.
Our wanna be feds have
No legs to stand on:hump::idea:
Click to expand...
It is kinda funny how the ignorance of the greedy fucks in suits seems never ending lol

Cheers :)
 
M

MedicatedHiker

Well-Known Member
OLD MOTHER SATIVA said:
If'n th' Native Chief is "Trans" the Gov will have to back off
Click to expand...
Gee, why do you feel threatened by transgendered people?

The way I look at it, people can do whatever they want to make themselves happy. I'd say it doesn't affect my life one way or another, by that would be lying since society as a whole is better off whenever fewer people are unhappy and depressed.
 
CalyxCrusher

CalyxCrusher

Well-Known Member
MedicatedHiker said:
Gee, why do you feel threatened by transgendered people?

The way I look at it, people can do whatever they want to make themselves happy. I'd say it doesn't affect my life one way or another, by that would be lying since society as a whole is better off whenever fewer people are unhappy and depressed.
Click to expand...
Making pretty grand assumptions I see. Where was it stated he feels threatened by transvestites? BTW the figures show that an alarming number of people who go through gender reassignment surgery either kill themselves or regret it in 5-10 years. Also it does affect others when we the people are footing the bill when these people need mental help but choose mutilation instead.
 
oldbeancounter

oldbeancounter

Well-Known Member
OLD MOTHER SATIVA said:
If'n th' Native Chief is "Trans" the Gov will have to back off
Click to expand...
Yepper and then Canada's one and only Virtue signalling chief and commander Mr. Trudeau would be flying out there ASAP to stop that the abuse.
He would then quickly commit millions to help build a Weed superstore complete with no homeless sleeping here please signs(unless you snuck across the border that is) and they fly back work on his carbon master plan to save the planet with climate Barbie telling us all to grow by firelight....oh come on October 21, 2019 so sock boy can get his marching papers and head off to his dream country China !
Oops, I shouldn't read political stuff need a nap lol
 
oldbeancounter

oldbeancounter

Well-Known Member
MedicatedHiker said:
Gee, why do you feel threatened by transgendered people?

The way I look at it, people can do whatever they want to make themselves happy. I'd say it doesn't affect my life one way or another, by that would be lying since society as a whole is better off whenever fewer people are unhappy and depressed.
Click to expand...
MedicatedHiker said:
Gee, why do you feel threatened by transgendered people?

The way I look at it, people can do whatever they want to make themselves happy. I'd say it doesn't affect my life one way or another, by that would be lying since society as a whole is better off whenever fewer people are unhappy and depressed.
Click to expand...
MMMM, BBB'd transgenders my fav, well next to puppies of course!
 
M

MedicatedHiker

Well-Known Member
oldbeancounter said:
Yepper and then Canada's one and only Virtue signalling chief and commander Mr. Trudeau would be flying out there ASAP to stop that the abuse.
He would then quickly commit millions to help build a Weed superstore complete with no homeless sleeping here please signs(unless you snuck across the border that is) and they fly back work on his carbon master plan to save the planet with climate Barbie telling us all to grow by firelight....oh come on October 21, 2019 so sock boy can get his marching papers and head off to his dream country China !
Oops, I shouldn't read political stuff need a nap lol
Click to expand...
But if you vote Conservative, you're voting for more of the same BS. There are better options.
 
G

gb123

Well-Known Member
Trevor Fencott, CEO of cannabis retailer Fire and Flower, and George Robinson, CEO of RavenQuest, were two panelists during a panel discussion called Economic Opportunity: Cannabis in Canada. The panel was part of Wednesday's Indigenous Agriculture Summit at Regina's Canadian Western Agrabition. (Bryan Eneas/CBC News)


Cannabis has been a hot topic all year — and a Wednesday panel discussion at the Western Canadian Agribition aimed to explore the economic potential for First Nations communities following legalization of recreational pot.

The annual livestock show and agriculture festival, which kicked off at Evraz Place in Regina on Monday, featured an Indigenous Agriculture Summit on Wednesday, which provided leaders and band members from across the province an opportunity to discuss various aspects of Indigenous agriculture — including cannabis.

Two panelists took questions from attendees during a panel discussion called Economic Opportunity: Cannabis in Canada, which was part of Wednesday's Indigenous Agriculture Summit.

George Robinson from RavenQuest BioMed, a licensed cannabis producer, was part of the panel. He said his company has been trying to include Indigenous communities in the cannabis industry for three years.

"[Indigenous people] have worked with herbal plants their whole lives, as far as time goes back," Robinson said.

"Bringing cannabis in as another herbal therapy we can use, it's a starting point [from which] we can actually take a look at harm reduction and social impact."

He noted cannabis is a possible treatment for depression and anxiety, and could be an alternative to other drugs.

Indigenous farmers considering cannabis crops
Robinson said cannabis also provides an avenue for economic development for Indigenous communities. He noted a need for more producers during the panel discussion.

Agrologist Ken Bear, who works with the Ochapowace Cree First Nation in southeastern Saskatchewan, said he sees the plant as a way to further diversify the band's crop portfolio, while answering the production needs that exist.

"It sounds like they need more in the market — they need somebody to produce it," Bear said.

"When I think of the First Nations lands, specifically in Ochap, if there's demand for a certain crop, that's something we look at market-wise."

Bear said he sees agriculture as one of the pillars of society, but Indigenous people are underrepresented in many areas of the agricultural production.

He said he's interested in looking into cannabis as a potential crop for the band.

There is still groundwork and research that needs to be done on the band's part, he said, including the costs involved for the band in growing cannabis.

Social responsibilities must be considered
Lorne Ross Kinistino, who works alongside Bear, said he is also in favour of pursuing cannabis as a cash crop, and called for Indigenous people to be key players in decision-making processes.

He also called for money generated from cannabis production to be set aside to address "problems that are already there," while making sure monies are accessible for bands that may be struggling.

Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme also raised the issue of social responsibility with the panelists.


Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme told CBC News his community is in constant consultation with youths and elders to figure out how to proceed with regard to cannabis. (Bryan Eneas/CBC News)
"We're on a healing journey and we're starting to assert our prosperity and our rights, but with that comes some of the intergenerational trauma," Delorme said, adding he wants to find out how to address the stigma around cannabis as a gateway drug.

Delorme said conversations around cannabis are very intense for some communities, and the Agribition panel around the plant helped clear some of the questions he had.

The chief said Cowessess has a lot of land that was purchased for one reason — economic development. He was non-committal on whether that land will be used for growing or selling cannabis.

He said the band did enter the provincial lottery for a retail cannabis store licence, but was unsuccessful.

"Right now we're addressing our pros and cons, and at the same time addressing our social responsibility," Delorme said.

"Not externally, but more internally, with what our elders consider pros and cons to cannabis, what our youth understand of it — there's just a lot of moving parts."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top