Three large Saskatchewan First Nations and two northern communities are among the 40 areas selected for retail marijuana stores.
The announcement was made this morning by Liquor and Gaming Minister, Gene Makowsky. He provided more details on what a legal marijuana market will look like in Saskatchewan.
Under the plan, 60 retail permits will be issued to private operators in 40 different communities. They include La Ronge, La Loche, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and the Onion Lake Cree Nation. All of them would be regulated by the Liquor and Gaming Commission.
Makowsky was short on detail when it came to taxation, especially for on-reserve sales to status Indians.
“It is very difficult at this point, not knowing what the market will be to say those taxation numbers that may come in,” he said.
The NDP opposition says the plan is short on detail and way behind other provinces as they get ready for the federal government to legalize marijuana.
Interim leader, Nicole Sarauer, also says the government has an obligation to negotiate a tax structure for on-reserve purchases.
“I assumed it would be treated the same as tobacco on First Nations reserves. We need to treat all of this on a nation-to-nation basis,” she said.
Status Indians can buy tobacco tax-free at reserve-owned stores. They pay about $74.00 a carton, compared to $135.00 at retail stores in Regina.
The list of the selected retailers is expected to be released in early March. Communities that want no part of legal marijuana sales have the right to opt-out if they so choose.
(PHOTO: Infographic on marijuana sales. Photo courtesy of the Government of Saskatchewan.)