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First Nations Cannabis Rules Still Uncertain

First Nations Cannabis
First Nations Cannabis

Cannabis Act “Leaves Behind” Indigenous Communities Says Cree Nation Chief – LPC

First Nations cannabis rules still uncertain.
(Right to left) Minister Bill Blair, Pikwakanagan Chief Kirby Whiteduck, and Isadore Day.

Indigenous leaders across Canada feel the Cannabis Act leaves them behind with First Nations cannabis rules still to be determined. The CBC reports that “Ottawa initially cut First Nations out of the cannabis regulatory and revenue-sharing regime”. Revenues are split 75/25 between the federal and provincial governments.

“They left us behind when they started going down that channel,” said Opaskwayak Cree Nation Onekanew (Chief) Christian Sinclair.

The Assembly of First Nations passed three resolutions related to cannabis at its annual general assembly in July. One of those essentially asks the federal government to recognize its own First Nations cannabis rules. Ottawa should “acknowledge … First Nations jurisdiction over all aspects of cannabis cultivation, process and retail operations within their territories”.

Organized Crime Reduction Minister Bill Blair has said that the federal government wants to make First Nations cannabis rules clearer.

“We both acknowledge that this is a complicated situation,” said Blair in July. “But there’s no reason why it can’t be solved. The prime minister has been very clear that he wants this resolved in a nation-to-nation way.”

First Nations Cannabis Rules Muddied Further by Provinces – LPC

In Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) seems to be creating its own First Nations cannabis rules within the province. It announced eight First Nations who can apply to operate cannabis stores during its latest lottery.

However, Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod questions the province’s jurisdiction in creating First Nations cannabis rules. A member of his First Nation was one of the eight chosen in the lottery.

“We support the individual but we don’t necessarily support the idea that the province has jurisdiction in our First Nation lands,” said McLeod. “So we’re still pursuing the avenue of working out a bilateral agreement with the federal government so we can maintain jurisdiction and the creation of laws in our land.”

Manny Jules, chief commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission, said that First Nations want to be part of the legal cannabis economy.

“What I am suggesting with the excise tax is that this should be used as a First Nation revenue fund,” said Jules. Allowing self-determination when it comes to create First Nations cannabis rules is another step in that direction. “We could be in a position to help communities that don’t have the benefit of being close to an urban centre.”

This editorial content from the LPC News Editor is meant to provide analysis, insight, and perspective on current news articles. To read the source article this commentary is based upon, please click on the link below.

Read the Article Here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/cannabis-first-nations-framework-1.5258544 

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