US EditionChief in N.S. Says Mi'kmaq Have a Treaty Right to Sell Cannabis Amid New RCMP Raids
RCMP seized illegal cannabis from five storefronts, including four on Mi'kmaq First Nations, enforcing the Cannabis Control Act amid ongoing tensions over Indigenous rights.
- On Tuesday, Nova Scotia RCMP seized illegal cannabis from five storefronts, including four on Mi'kmaq First Nations in Eskasoni, Potlotek, Paqtnkek and Waycobah, issuing summary offence tickets.
- In December 2025, the provincial government issued a directive to intensify enforcement, and last week Justice Minister Scott Armstrong tabled a bill to strengthen the Cannabis Control Act.
- As raids unfolded, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs said they interfere with Mi'kmaw jurisdiction, Membertou First Nation Chief Terry Paul asserted treaty rights, and Micmac Rights Association lawyer Tuma Wilson called the raids 'economic genocide'.
- Business owner Jerod G. Francis Sr. said RCMP removed his entire inventory at Mountain Road Trading Post and no charges were laid by Tuesday at 4 p.m., while RCMP said investigations are ongoing.
- Many Mi'kmaw communities have been developing their own cannabis laws after the province refused to collaborate, while chiefs warn raids and provincial budget cuts erode nation-to-nation confidence.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Chief in N.S. says Mi’kmaq have a treaty right to sell cannabis amid new RCMP raids
HALIFAX - A First Nation chief in Nova Scotia is asserting that Indigenous Peoples have a treaty right to sell cannabis amid fresh police raids on multiple Mi'kmaq-owned cannabis operations.
Mi'kmaq have a treaty right to sell cannabis, N.S. chief says
A First Nation chief in Nova Scotia is asserting that Indigenous Peoples have a treaty right to sell cannabis amid fresh police raids on multiple Mi’kmaq-owned cannabis operations. The comments by Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation are in conflict with the position of the provincial government, which has called on police to crackdown […]
‘We’re going to fight this’: Cape Breton Mi’kmaq cannabis retail sites raided by RCMP
The Northeast Nova District RCMP conducted inspections at five cannabis storefronts Tuesday and seized what the government considers to be illegal cannabis. Three of those stores were in Mi’kmaq communities in Cape Breton.
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