First Nations cannabis industry continues to grow after 6 years of legalization in Canada

An Indigenous-owned cannabis company in Chilliwack, B.C., that started out as a soverign dispensary is now setting its sights on becoming a global leader in the cannabis industry. 

This week marked the six-year anniversary of the legalization of cannabis in Canada. First Nations all across Canada have opened cannabis companies since then. 

Shxwhá:y Village in Chilliwack is a partner in All Nations, a cannabis retail store that also produces its own cannabis products.

"We knew that cannabis was going to be legalized and we knew that we wanted to be a part of it," said Chief Robert Gladstone.

They started with a "sovereign shop," which Gladstone says was exercising sovereignty and inherent rights. 

"This was developed so that we could create an economic base for people, create jobs, but we wanted to do it in a fashion where we weren't working against either the federal or provincial government," said Gladstone. 

So the nation worked with the province of British Columbia to establish a dispensary under a provincial regulation that allows the government of B.C. to enter into agreements with First Nations relating to the sale of cannabis. 

In 2021, when they opened the doors to All Nations Cannabis they were one of the first farm gate retail in the lower mainland. 

Gladstone said the cannabis business — and other business avenues — make their community healthier by creating jobs. 

"We're a little First Nation with dreams, hopes and ambitions," said Gladstone. 

Sean Curley, director of sales for All Nations, said people have been loving their brand and approaching them for it. 

"We're a small player today, but what I see is us being a global powerhouse in the cannabis industry, and the biggest Indigenous-owned cannabis producer in the world," Curley said. 

He said All Nations cannabis products have already reached international markets.

"I don't think that's even just a dream," he said.

"I think anything's possible."

Kahnawà:ke choosing who will open dispensaries

Meanwhile in Kahnawà:ke, just south of Montreal, the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) community is in the final stages of selecting three applicants for cannabis licensing. 

"This has always been a zero tolerance community on illicit drugs," said Tonya Perron, who is the council chief responsible for the cannabis file. 

"So when cannabis was not legal, it was not tolerated here." 

She said the community started a working group in 2017 to look at the impacts that the legalization of cannabis would have on the community, from a commercial perspective but also from the health and safety perspective.

They passed their own cannabis control law through their own legislative process. 

"The Cannabis Control Board started drafting regulations once they were formed in 2019," said Perron. 

Community members were divided on having cannabis dispensaries in the community, she said. 

She said they are going through the applications for dispensaries and the cannabis board will announce the chosen applicants in the near future. 

"They're working diligently to get through it as quickly as possible, but also doing all of the due diligence," she said.