Cannabis on Canadian Indian reserves became legal under the Cannabis Act on October 17, 2018, subject to local restrictions. First Nations leaders have called for more local control of the cannabis economy on their reserves.

Planning stages

In December 2016, tribal leaders discussed the impacts that legal cannabis would have during the annual Assembly of First Nations. Opinion was divided, with some chiefs calling for a delay in legalization to allow them to make plans, while others were enthused about the economic advantages they expected to come with legalization. There was, however, broad consensus that cannabis regulations on Indian reserves should be left to the members of the community, rather than default to following the province's regulations.

Specific nations

Oneida Nation

The

Oneida Nation of the Thames The Oneida Nation of the Thames is an Onyota'a:ka (Oneida) First Nations band government located in southwestern Ontario, located about a 30-minute drive from London, Ontario, Canada. The Oneida Nation reports a total of 6,108 members, includin ...

, an Indigenous community in southwestern Ontario, has engaged in the cannabis industry as part of its economic development strategy. In December 2016, the Chief of the Nation announced plans to apply for a cannabis cultivation license to expand their operations. The Nation already operates a dispensary and asserts that licensing should not be required, advocating for Indigenous sovereignty over cannabis regulation on their lands. This move aligns with broader efforts among Indigenous communities in Canada to pursue economic independence and self-governance within the cannabis industry.

Manitoba First Nations

Three nations in Manitoba,

Opaskwayak Cree Nation The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (; OCN, Cree: ) is a First Nations band government located in Manitoba, Canada. The main OCN reserve is regarded as one of three distinct communities that comprise "The Pas area" in northern Manitoba, with the two othe ...

, Long Plain First Nation, and

Peguis First Nation Peguis First Nation (formerly St. Peter's Band, meaning ''new reserve'') is the largest First Nations community in Manitoba, Canada, with a population of approximately 11,438 people (3,607 on reserve and 7,831 off reserve). The members of Peguis ...

, formed an alliance with National Access Cannabis in 2016, seeking to gain profit for their communities from legalization, and lobby for their interests on issues such as tax rebates for cannabis sold on reserves.

Tobique First Nation

In October 2016, the medical cannabis dispensary on the

Tobique First Nation Tobique First Nation () is one of six Wolastoqiyik or Maliseet Nation reserves in New Brunswick, Canada. The Tobique Reserve is located on the north side of the Tobique River. The reserve comprises two lots (The Brother's # 18, 4 ha; Tobiqu ...

reserve in

New Brunswick New Brunswick is a Provinces and Territories of Canada, province of Canada, bordering Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast, the Bay of Fundy to the southeast, and the U.S. state of Maine to ...

was raided by the

Royal Canadian Mounted Police The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP; , GRC) is the Law enforcement in Canada, national police service of Canada. The RCMP is an agency of the Government of Canada; it also provides police services under contract to 11 Provinces and terri ...

. The dispensary was illegal under national law, but was approved by the band council, causing a disjunct and raising issues of tribal sovereignty. The community reacted with anger to the raid, with 50 members forming a blockade to prevent RCMP officers from leaving. The manager of the dispensary stated to news media: "Our laws, our laws... Your laws, your laws."

Mohawk

The Mohawk Nation obtained a cannabis cultivation permit in 2018, marking its entry into the industry as part of a community-focused economic development strategy. This move allows the Nation to retain local revenue, create jobs, and fund essential services such as healthcare and education. By managing cannabis production independently, the Mohawk Nation underscores its commitment to Indigenous sovereignty, advocating for regulatory control within their territories separate from provincial or federal oversight. This effort reflects broader trends among Indigenous communities in Canada seeking self-determination through the cannabis industry

Planning stages

Specific nations

Oneida Nation

Manitoba First Nations

Tobique First Nation

Mohawk

See also

References

Further reading