Kahnawake Cannabis Control Law goes to First Hearing as Canada legalization approaches

09/21/2018

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to remind the community that the First Hearing for the proposed Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Law (‘the Law’) will take place next Tuesday, 25 Seskehkó:wa/September 2018 from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Karonhianónhnha School.

The Law ensures that Health & Safety are paramount, and that the community will be the prime beneficiary of any revenues potentially generated by a Cannabis facility on the Territory.

“With Canada’s legalization of recreational cannabis less than a month away, it is imperative that our own Kahnawà:ke-based Law be passed, as the community has made it clear that it does not accept Canadian or Quebec laws as the only option,” said Ietsénhaienhs Rhonda Kirby. “Our Law will create the mechanism to give Kahnawà:ke the ability to create its own regulations and yet work with Health Canada for health and safety reasons.”

“Passage of this Law does not mean that it will be ‘open season’ in regard to cannabis,” she added. “There is still consultation work needed to determine whether the community will support sales of cannabis within the community but, if it does, it is imperative that individual businesses have opportunities to be part of the industry.”

“We hope to be able to ratify the Law and certify the process on Tuesday,” she concluded. “If we are unable to complete the process we will continue the next evening (Wednesday, 26 Seskehkó:wa/September 2018)

The draft Law can be viewed at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com, the KLCC website.