Houston government doubles down on cannabis crackdown, despite Mi’kmaw opposition

Premier Tim Houston is facing criticism from Mi’kmaw leaders over cannabis dispensaries.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is facing escalating tension with Mi’kmaw leaders who say the province is making major decisions first and consulting them after the fact.

Concerns have been growing around a lack of consultation this year following decisions by the government to lift the ban on uranium mining and fracking, and new laws around who can access Crown lands for peaceful protest.

And, just recently, the government issued a directive to crack down on what it calls illegal cannabis dispensaries operating on and off reserves.

Houston is pushing back against suggestions that the province has failed to uphold its duty to consult with Indigenous communities on policy and directives that directly impact them.

“Until the end of time, people will be complaining that the government didn’t consult enough, didn’t consult properly, or didn’t consult broadly enough,” said Houston. “I assure you 100 per cent that we meet and exceed those obligations every single time.”

However, Mi’kmaw leaders say they strongly disagree.

In a letter last week, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs called the cannabis crackdown and its fallout yet another example of “what happens when the province will not come to the table with us from the outset.”

At least one Mi’kmaw community has banned the premier and two cabinet ministers from entering their territory, while another band council is considering a similar move.

Sipekne’katik Chief Michelle Glasgow told APTN News that the ban was enacted because her community felt targeted.

“When our safety is being attacked and when we are being targeted by the government, I think all communities should do the same,” said Glasgow.

Houston insists the crackdown is rooted in public health and safety, pointing to his government’s concerns about unregulated products and organized crime.

“People in law enforcement have told me in this province, they’ve taken illegal cannabis from unregulated, illegal dispensaries and tested it and found it was laced with traces of fentanyl,” said Houston.

“Sometimes I hear people say, ‘Oh I don’t buy from the government supply because they don’t get the same buzz ... well, that’s probably why,” said Houston.

However, neither the premier nor his office could provide evidence to confirm the claim, while staff acknowledged it was anecdotal.

Opposition leader Claudia Chender says safety concerns are justified, but argues the province also has a financial incentive to clamp down and bring sales under the government’s regulated model, which is managed by Nova Scotia Liquor Control (NSLC).

“There is a billion-dollar deficit and we know this government is looking for revenues,” said Chender.

The province could not provide an estimate of how much cannabis is being sold in the unregulated market. Figures show the NSLC brought in more than $127 million in cannabis sales last year.

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