Muscowpetung pot shop gets FSIN’S ‘full support’
Federation warns of legal battles if province tries to derail initiative
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations has thrown its support behind Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation’s new cannabis dispensary.
On Tuesday, the Fort Qu’appellearea First Nation’s announcement of its new business venture hit a sour note when the provincial government expressed its concern, given the dispensary had opened without a provincially obtained licence.
In a letter to his members, Chief Anthony Cappo said First Nations were not properly consulted on the cannabis issue and have the inherent authority to regulate the use and sale of cannabis on their own lands.
The Mino-maskihki Cannabis Dispensary is described as being on the First Nation’s land.
With Muscowpetung and the province disagreeing on who has the right to determine the issue, the FSIN announced on Wednesday it supports Muscowpetung ’s position.
“First Nations have the jurisdiction, sovereignty and authority within their respective Nations and we are in full support and will back Chief Cappo and Muscowpetung in exercising that,” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said in a news release. “The Provincial Government has no business or jurisdiction on this matter and once again, Saskatchewan will face more legal battles if they choose to violate those Inherent and Treaty Rights.”
In the same news release, FSIN Vice Chief David Pratt said work is needed “to look at different ways of harm reduction when it comes to the treatment of chronic illnesses and opioid addictions, as well as to ensure that the Treaty Right to Health is being met, fulfilled and honoured by the Crown.”
“We will stand with Muscowpetung, in full support of their autonomy and sovereignty based on our sacred Treaties,” he said.
Neither the FSIN nor Muscowpetung made anyone available for comment on Wednesday. A Muscowpetung spokesperson said the First Nation will not be speaking further to the issue on the advice of legal counsel, but added the cannabis dispensary is now open seven days a week to the public.
Saskatchewan Justice Minister Don Morgan reiterated the position he took Tuesday, stating the government holds jurisdiction over cannabis regulation.
“The province has a regulatory framework in place and our expectation is that people throughout the province will comply with that,” he said Wednesday.
He noted there have been similar issues in the past pertaining to alcohol and gaming, and said the government is willing to sit down with First Nations to develop “a good path forward.”
“I have no appetite to end up in court on this, so our ask … is that they comply with the law,” he said.
Morgan said the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority has sent a letter to Muscowpetung, and added “we don’t direct enforcement but we’d look to see what happens with the RCMP or with the police services in the area.”
At this point, the RCMP is saying little about the situation, stating only that they are “aware of the plan to open a cannabis dispensary in the Muscowpetung First Nation.”
“We are monitoring the situation and attempting to gather all the relevant information,” the statement went on. “We are attempting to consult with the Muscowpetung First Nation.”
When asked whether that discourse might follow the lines of that between the Regina Police Service and unlicensed dispensaries in this city earlier this year — which included warnings and letters prior to the raids that shut the businesses down — Cpl. Rob King said it is too early to say what, if any, steps might be taken by RCMP.
Morgan acknowledged the matter might end up in court should the two sides continue to diverge on jurisdiction. He added while he’d prefer not to, the province is prepared to defend its position in that forum.
He said regulating businesses like alcohol and cannabis ensures certain processes are followed, such as proper training, criminal record checks and access to a licensed product.