The Tk’emlúps te Secwèpemc First Nation will not open a cannabis store for now.
A First Nation is opening a new legal retail cannabis store in the northern Manitoba community’s mall — believed to be the first such store on a reserve in the country.
On the Jim Harrison Show this morning, Chief Roseanne Casimir didn’t rule out a store in the future.
“I would love it if the band could open up their own cannabis shop for retail purposes, but at the same token you know our mandate is about land leasing and the taxation component,” she said.
“For me, it would be empowering working with our membership, who would like to address and occupy those areas.”
Casimir adds the band is also working on a cannabis taxation law and they’d like to raise money for various programs.
“We also have a permitting process in place,” she notes. “When it comes to taxation, we currently have our FAT tax – that’s fuel, alcohol and tobacco.”
“The Federal Government is looking at creating a FACT tax – that’s fuel, alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco regime.”
The Opaskwayak Cree Nation began selling pot earlier this month.