MCK to deliver Position Paper on Regulation of Cannabis to Quebec

09/28/2017

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

Kahnaw�: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.