We can’t even operate on our own lands without being harassed, it’s just wild to me,’ a worker said after the previous February raid

British Columbia’s Community Safety Unit (CSU), the provincial authority for cannabis law, has again raided a series of pot shops on Indigenous land. The unit was assisted by the RCMP.

This is the second time this year that the unlicensed Vancouver Island shops on the K’ómoks First Nation were descended upon by law enforcement. The first occurrence was on Valentine’s Day.

Significant quantities of cannabis products were seized. A lawyer representing one of the shops told Global News that they were trying to set up a meeting with the CSU when the raids occurred Thursday.

The Butterfly Effect, one of the dispensaries, says they took about C$10,000 worth of merchandise.

“That’s a lot of medicine that they have taken, not just from us but from our people,” co-owner Amanda Chartrand said. She added that there were more pressing issues that needed to be addressed in the community than weed goodies.

“We have other significant community safety issues they are not supporting us with, like trespassing, criminal activities and animal control on our lands,” the First Nation said. They think they are being unfairly targeted while others get to operate freely.

Source:  https://mugglehead.com/bc-authorities-raid-unlicensed-indigenous-pot-shops-in-comox-again/

The Prairie Island Indian Community plans to open a cannabis dispensary as soon as this summer.

The PIIC said Thursday Island Peži will open in the next few months “subject to obtaining all necessary Tribal licensure and approval.”

The reservation is located near Red Wing, about an hour southeast of the Twin Cities. The dispensary will be located next to Dakota Station on Prairie Island, the Tribe said.

“Island Peži is a step forward in our efforts to diversify our economy and strengthen our Tribe’s long-term financial sovereignty,” Prairie Island Tribal Council President Grant Johnson said. “We’re excited to be among the first to enter the cannabis market and create new opportunities for the future of our Tribe.”

The PIIC has its own Cannabis Regulatory Commission, which will oversee the dispensary’s business activity.

Last year, Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize recreational cannabis use. A study earlier this year found the state will need nearly 400 dispensaries to comply with state law, which requires a dispensary for every 12,500 Minnesotans.