Nova Scotia government open to cannabis meeting with Mi’kmaw leaders

The Nova Scotia government says its open to meeting with Mi’kmaw chiefs over cannabis shops.

The divide between Mi’kmaw chiefs and the Nova Scotia government over the right to sell cannabis across the province appears to be deepening.

In a letter this week, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs asked the government to put a halt on all police raids on First Nations cannabis shops until the two sides can meet.

“We have long offered solutions to the provincial government on how Mi’kmaq could exercise our right to self-govern and still be transparent with them on how we intended to manage the sale of cannabis in our communities,” said Glooscap First Nation Chief Sidney Peters.

In a letter, Attorney General and Justice Minister Scott Adams said the government is open to meeting but calls for greater transparency and for Mi’kmaw leadership to disclose their financial interests in what they call the “unregulated” or “shadow” cannabis industry.

“Specifically, we would ask that all Chiefs and Band Councillors proactively disclose any personal or family financial interests in and benefits derived from existing or planned cannabis retail operations,” said Adams. “This level of transparency is essential to ensure that discussions are focused and community centered.”

Tensions spilled over last week after RCMP executed a search and seizure warrant at a cannabis storefront in Potlotek First Nation in Cape Breton.

Protestors then blocked a section of Highway 4, forcing RCMP members to abandon the scene and leave their vehicles behind. Those vehicles were broken into and damaged.

As a show of solidarity, a First Nations community near Shubenacadie protested and blocked traffic along Highway 102.

“We demand a moratorium be put on any other raids in our communities until we’ve had an opportunity to have real nation-to-nation conversations with Nova Scotia on the issues at hand,” said Peters.

The province announced in December they were going to crack down on what they called the “shadow” cannabis market, saying it poses a health threat.

RCMP has conducted several inspections and seizures of what they call illegal cannabis products.

As for the request from Mi’kmaw leadership to halt any raids, the RCMP told CTV Atlantic in a statement they maintain investigative independence and make enforcement decisions based on investigative work.

“Police are obligated to enforce both the federal cannabis act and nova scotia’s cannabis control act,” said RCMP Supt. Jason Popik. “Cannabis products sold in Nova Scotia, outside of the NSLC, are often sourced from organized crime groups. Our focus is on public safety and disrupting organized crime.”

The province passed new laws and amendments in the Cannabis Act this week that will help expand enforcement, including the creation of a new offence for landlords who allow a cannabis dispensary to open in their building.

Neither side has said whether any dates have been set for a meeting. Premier Tim Houston last met with Mi’kmaw leaders in January.

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