Millbrook puts down roots for retail marijuana sales
Millbrook First Nation is planning to open retail marijuana shops as soon as possible after cannabis is legalized on Oct. 17, Chief Bob Gloade says.
“We’re aiming for October right now,” Gloade said.
“Another province has indicated Oct. 17 as their deadline and, going forward, that’s still our deadline as well. With our partners, we’re already in production. We’re already growing so we will be ready well enough in advance of that date.”
Those plans, however, don’t jibe with the Nova Scotia government’s position that marijuana can only be legally sold in NSLC locations once it’s legalized by the federal Liberal Government.
“We have said all along that our approach to legalization is through a public health lens and that we will start, well-regulated and tightly controlled,” said provincial government spokesperson Andrew Preeper. “While we continue to have an open dialogue with First Nations leadership on this subject, at this time we are not considering a retail model outside of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC).
Gloade said the band has been in discussions with the provincial government for the past 18 months about retail sale of marijuana. The first two locations are to be at Millbrook and Cole Har- Weed prospects interest several First Nations communities INDIAN BROOK, N.S. — Millbrook is not the only First Nations community in Nova Scotia planning to explore economic opportunities with legalized marijuana. Sipekne’katik First Nation band in Indian Brook has plans to grow cannabis and sell it directly to consumers.
Indian Brook has enlisted Olympian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati to roll out a “seed-to-sale” cannabis operation.
In response to the government’s stance that selling cannabis from a privately owned storefront will remain illegal in Nova Scotia, Rebagliati takes the position that bour with a third planned for the former Shannon Park site, once development is underway there.
“Right now, we have no intentions of doing anything outside the provincial model because it’s not how we conduct business. We’re not in the position of operating illegally like some of the other current operations that are trying to get established because that does pose problems going forward and is subject to potential legal ramifications,” he said.
“That’s not something that we’re comfortable doing and that’s why we’re working with the province in respect to formalizing a proper plan moving forward. And that’s still our ongoing intention.” First Nations lands are federal jurisdiction and as such they are within their rights to operate marijuana dispensaries, an argument that could lead to a constitutional battle in the courts.
“First Nations are looking for job opportunities and economic opportunities for their people, and this is a new industry that has a lot of those opportunities and potential for substantial financial gain,” Rebagliati told The Canadian Press in a recent story. Rebagliati, a gold-medalist snowboarder, founded the Ross’ Gold medical marijuana business in 2013. He has also established a company called Legacyrr, to focus on growing cannabis and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Truro News with Canadian Press files
Millbrook First Nation has partnered with a marijuana production company called, Zennabus, which has facilities in Stellarton, New Brunswick and British Columbia, for supply of its cannabis products.
“It’s a partnership and we’re in- vestors in the primary company and it’s also in the production side of it as well,” Gloade said.
“All members of the Millbrook First Nations community are to be beneficiaries of the cannabis sales because profits are to be reinvested for future development, programs and services,” he said.
And for those who would criticize such an initiative on moral grounds, Gloade said once the product is legalized it will be no different than legal sales of alcohol.
“I look at it this way. It’s the legalization of a product that already exists and it provides a safer product for consumers that are using whatever existing products that are out there, because it is being monitored and regulated through Health Canada, through the growing operations,” he said. “So any customers that are going to be purchasing cannabis will be purchasing in a safe and controlled, regulated industry.”
For those already using marijuana, the ability to purchase safe, quality products “at a reasonable price” is preferable to the current uncontrolled and illegal black market, he said.
No retail prices have been established, Gloade said, and while an agreement with the government has yet to be reached, he expressed optimism one would be coming.
“They have indicated that there is going to be some type of opportunity there but they haven’t decided upon what it’s going to be like.”
With other First Nations also showing an interest in becoming involved in the retail marijuana business, legal experts have indicated the matter could well end up before the courts.
Gloade said his band is well prepared to go that route if need be but he is hoping a legal battle can be avoided.
“We will challenge it, but right now they’ve given every indication that they are working with us so that is not something that I feel is going to be a great, great concern going forward,” Gloade said.