Saskatchewan’s justice minister continues to say the Muscowpetung First Nation is operating an illegal cannabis dispensary but won’t say what consequences the community may face.
The on-reserve retail outlet has been up and running since last November.
Don Morgan says the government has not been in contact with the RCMP about the dispensary and he is not aware the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority has levied any fines against Muscowpetung.
However, he does say the cannabis dispensary is illegal because it continues to operate without a provincial licence.
“They’ve come to us and what they’d like to do is have a separate framework for First Nations,” Morgan says. “We have a framework that we’re using and licensing system and we urge anybody to comply with the existing laws, work with the province and try to find a longer-term solution rather than argue where you’re in clear contravention.”
The justice minister reiterates the province has spent a lot of time creating the existing legislative framework and has no interest in altering it.
Officials with Muscowpetung say they don’t need a provincial licence because the First Nation has full jurisdiction over all activities on its land.
The First Nation has also filed a statement of claim at Regina Court of Queen’s Bench regarding the marijuana outlet.
(PHOTO: Courtesy Mino-Maskihki Facebook page.)
With files from Dan Jones.