Published Apr 04, 2025 • 2 minute readTobacco and cannabis dispensaries, near Highway 102 at Millbrook, in July 2024. Nova Scotia has introduced a new regulation allowing licensed cannabis retail operations in First Nations communities. Photo by Tim Krochak /THE CHRONICLE HERALD / FILEThe provincial government has introduced a new regulation to allow Mi’kmaw communities to open legal cannabis retail stores on reserve by agreement with the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC).“We’ve spoken with Mi’kmaw leaders across the province, and they have raised concerns about the sale of illegal cannabis in their communities,” Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman said in a news release on behalf of Finance and Treasury Board Minister John Lohr.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“These changes will allow bands to open a legal store for those who wish to buy and use cannabis.”The new regulations will allow a band, or a band-owned corporation, to become an authorized seller within their community through an agreement with NSLC to set up a legal retail store.Any cannabis stores in Mi’kmaw communities will sell cannabis purchased through the NSLC.The NSLC is currently the only authorized cannabis seller in Nova Scotia.There is an on-reserve NSLC location in Eskasoni that sells cannabis, which opened in September 2022.The regulation was a result of a request from several First Nations because of concerns about safety and a regulated supply.Finance and treasury board spokeswoman Rachel Boomer said the band would be in charge of running the stores, which would be a licensed NSLC store but not an outlet. The employees would come from the community and not be NSLC workers.The regulations require cannabis to be retailed in a socially responsible manner. Authorized Mi’kmaw sellers must:Article contentsell cannabis in its original packagesell no more than 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent, in one transactiononly sell at the authorized, permanent locationallow no sampling on the premisesdisplay a certificate issued by the NSLC indicating they are authorized cannabis sellersfollow the NSLC’s responsible retail training and guidelines, ensuring cannabis products aren’t sold to minors or those who are impairedfollow all Health Canada requirements.The timeline for opening is up to the individual bands, who will decide whether they want to be involved. They would then sign an agreement with NSLC to set up the store, with training provided by NSLC.There are currently no plans to authorize other third-party cannabis sellers.Earlier this year, the RCMP raided illegal cannabis storefronts in four counties, including on First Nations lands, and arrested 21 people.Article content
New N.S. regulation allows retail cannabis sales on Mi’kmaw First Nations
