MCK to deliver Position Paper on Regulation of Cannabis to Quebec

09/28/2017

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it’s Position Paper on the Regulation of Cannabis in Quebec will be delivered to a consultation hearing being held in Quebec City tomorrow (Friday) morning. The hearing is being held by the Quebec government to specifically hear the concerns and/or suggestions of the Indigenous population.

The MCK’s three-page document includes fourteen (14) points that cover wide-ranging concerns and suggestions.

“The most important issue that Quebec needs to acknowledge is that we will be putting forth our own legal framework in the matter of jurisdiction,” said Ietsénhaienhs Gina Deer, who is one of the two Chiefs who sits on the Cannabis Working Group on behalf of the MCK. “The second-to-last point in our position paper wraps it up clearly.”

That clause reads as follows:

“It is imperative that the province and Kahnawà:ke consult with each other in order to develop a coordinated approach based on mutual respect of our respective jurisdictions. To reiterate, Kahnawà:ke is open to develop a joint legal framework whereby Quebec’s regulations recognize Kahnawà:ke’s regulations to ensure that the Courts will uphold and enforce Kahnawà:ke’s regulations. This will help avoid a legal vacuum in Kahnawà:ke that may be exploited by certain interests inside and outside our community. The time to tackle this issue together is now.”

Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services Executive Director Derek Montour will make a presentation on behalf of his organization in person. The position paper will be made available to the community on Monday.