The federal government will not be taking any enforcement action against two Saskatchewan First Nations, which are operating on-reserve cannabis retail stores.
Muscowpetung First Nation and the Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation have passed internal legislation which they claim gives them the right to occupy the authority over marijuana.
The provincial government has maintained that federal legislation gives the provinces the responsibility to regulate licensing.
“Wholesale and retail distribution is under provincial jurisdiction. The provinces also have jurisdiction over law enforcement,” Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said. “The provincial minister [Attorney General Don Morgan] said very clearly that he had no intention of issuing any direction or instruction to the RCMP. They are of course independent. And that applies to the federal government as well. I never offer any operational instruction to the RCMP.”
Goodale says he and Morgan spoke a few months ago about Saskatchewan’s concerns.
Yet Morgan’s take way from his discussions was that Ottawa was going to get involved.
“We’re worried about it and we’re urging the federal government to take some steps. We don’t control or direct the RCMP. It’s on them to deal with and they’ve indicated they’re planning to do so,” Morgan stated. “Minister Goodale has said they regard that as something they need to deal with he hasn’t given me a timetable or a commitment when, but he has said they’ve given no direction it shouldn’t take place and they won’t direct the police specifically on when or how.”
Three First Nations in the province were eligible for a license, but all three have not progressed forward. Muscowpetung and Pheasant Rump were not included in this round of successful licenses.
Goodale is urging the province and First Nations leaders to negotiate an acceptable resolution to the dispute.