The provincial government says it is not in communication with the Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation regarding its cannabis retail operation.
“The government is not in current communication with unauthorized cannabis dispensaries,” a statement from the Sask. government said. “Our priority is to ensure the safety of Saskatchewan citizens by restricting the spread of black market cannabis that is grown and sold in contravention to federal legislation and regulations, including those put forward by Health Canada.”
Buds and Blossoms Cannabis Company opened Monday after the First Nation’s membership passed its “Traditional Medicinal Plants Act” June 19.
The Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation was the second First Nation to open a marijuana retail operation, following the Muscowpetung First Nation, which opened their store last October. Both are unlicensed due to community population size.
First Nations and the province are in a stalemate over who has jurisdiction. Since the Muscowpetung operation opened, the government has had some meetings to resolve the impasse, but has taken no action to close down the store.
The government says it could reconsider its permitting process as early as this fall. “We will assess the effectiveness of the initial allocation of retail store permits 12-18 months after legalization and will consider the allocation of additional permits after that review.”
(PHOTO: Courtesy Mino-Maskihki Facebook page.)