Another First Nation in the province has opened a medicinal cannabis retail operation, yet has grander plans.
The Red Pheasant Cree Nation located near the Battlefords opened its “Red Flower Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary” Friday.
The store is beside the gas station on First Nations land.
“It’s an economic development venture for the First Nation. We don’t feel we receive enough funds from the federal government to adequately address the needs of the community,” said Chief Clint Wuttunee.
The store sells a variety of products, mainly to locals.
Wuttunee said the First Nation is branching to nearby communities to expand its clientele.
Red Pheasant passed its own internal legislation, a process that many First Nations prior had to do.
Leadership followed in the path of the Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation in the southwest which is seeing success from its own operation.
Yet Wuttunee explained that the First Nation is eyeing two additional locations in the province and examining production of its own products.
“We do have our ambitions to start our own grow-operation so that we own, operate, grow and provide the product for ourselves and cut out the middle man,” stated Wuttunee.
The dispensary employs 15 staff. A grand-opening will take place Wednesday.
Wuttunee said that the First Nation did not formally consult members on the business venture, believing Chief and Council through elections have a mandate to promote business and build revenues.
He said the store has received some negative feedback, but that the community for the most part is positive about the store.
(Photo: Red Flower Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary logo: Courtesy of Clint Wuttunee Facebook.)