A third First Nations owned and operated cannabis retail store is set to open.
The Zagime Anishinabek formally the Sakimay First Nation held a soft opening of its Omagakii Medical Dispensary operation on First Nation’s land at the intersection of Dewdney Avenue and Pinkie Road near Regina.
The Zagime Anishinabek follow the Muskowpetung First Nation and Pheasant Rump Nakoda Nation in opening retail locations.
It also created its own law and regulations to govern the sale of cannabis.
Yet, First Nations and the provincial government are in a dispute over who controls jurisdiction.
In July Attorney General Don Morgan urged the federal government to intervene as reservations are a federal responsibility. “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.
Ottawa countered saying the legislation passed in the House of Commons is clear in that wholesale and retail distribution is a provincial matter.
The federal government is encouraging the provincial government and First Nations to negotiate a resolution, but the Justice Ministry confirms it is not in current communication with unauthorized cannabis dispensaries.
(Photo: Omagakii Medical Dispensary logo. Courtesy of Facebook.)