Indigenous Cannabis Trading Post – Cannabis | weed | marijuana

A new indigenous cannabis trading post has opened up in Stratford, Ontario. Or, as some say, there is an “unlicensed” cannabis shop in the traditional Anishnabek, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Ojibway/Chippewa lands.

It’s kind of a dilemma for the progressive cult. As Mussolini said, “All in the state, nothing outside of the state, nothing against the state.” Therefore, without Ottawa’s authorization through the Cannabis Act, it is not possible to grow, sell, buy or even consume cannabis.

But the state is the dominion of Canada. A racist colonial white supremacist government that has no right to occupy stolen land and claim complete control over its use.

So what is it? Is Stratford’s New ‘Unlicensed’ Indigenous Cannabis Shop Illegal? Or is the legality of the situation unlawful?

In other words, is Organic Solutions authorized to open a cannabis trading post without authorization from Ontario’s cannabis distribution and regulation monopoly?

Indigenous cannabis trading post

Organics Solutions in Stratford, seen July 14, 2023. (CTV News/Jeff Pickel)

Organics Solutions is not the only cannabis store in Stratford, but it is the only one operating without a provincial license.

The owners are indigenous and say it is their right to run an indigenous trading post.

“The City of Stratford now recognizes that it is on traditional land,” co-owner Kirk Marquette told local media. “So, under Sections 25 and 35 of the Charter of Rights, an indigenous person is permitted to open a trading post.”

Technically, the Upper Canada Treaties cover the city of Stratford. Representatives of the British Crown and several indigenous nations concluded these agreements between 1781 and 1850.

Stratford in particular falls under the Robinson-Huron treaty. The main purpose was to establish land rights and facilitate European settlement of the region. The goal was the formalization of property and peaceful coexistence.

So while “unlicensed” cannabis stores elsewhere may get a free pass (where there are no contracts), trading posts in southern Ontario may not be better represented.

Just because spineless politicians start their meetings by recognizing indigenous land doesn’t mean those same politicians will stick to their ideology when the worst comes to the worst.

Land acknowledgments are an attempt to have their cake and eat it too.

Its proponents recognize that Canadians live on land that, for the most part, was not appropriated peacefully or with the consent of the original landowners.

But they do not consider the implications of this creed. Namely, indigenous trading posts that sell “unlicensed” cannabis.

Will Police Search Indigenous Cannabis Trading Post?

According to the owners of Organics Solutions, all of their products are locally grown and lab tested before sale. One would imagine that the owners would be happy to enjoy the herb itself.

Where is the incentive to poison yourself or your customers? Especially those who use cannabis for medicinal purposes.

One of the owners told CTV: “Our prices are far better than OSC’s [Ontario Cannabis Store]. Our product – from all my customers coming in and out – everyone says it’s much better.”

Customers may be happy, but competing cannabis stores are not. They fear the indigenous trading post has an unfair advantage and will undercut them.

In the meantime, the police have visited Organic Solutions but have taken no action. In a statement, Stratford Police said they “recognize the complexity of the issue and want to ensure all statutory rights are taken into account”.

In other words, pass this hot potato down the chain of command. Raid an indigenous trading post? Are you serious? These decisions are outside the pay grade of the local police force.

Sections 25 and 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act

Like other indigenous cannabis trading post owners, Organic Solutions relies on Section 25 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Section 35 of the Constitution Act of 1982.

Section 35 covers issues such as land, hunting and fishing rights, and self-government rights.

Section 35 does not specifically mention trading posts. However, since trade and economic activity were essential aspects of indigenous cultures (actually all cultures), Section 35 could be interpreted in this way.

Section 25 does not explicitly mention trading posts either. But it strengthens charter rights that could relate to commercial and economic activity.

An Indigenous trading post selling “unlicensed” cannabis may or may not get away with it. Much depends on how the authorities decide to tackle the problem.

Of course, depending on your interpretation, the charter is not binding on indigenous governments at all.

Section 35 includes a right to self-government, and Section 25 states that the charter does not limit the rights of indigenous people. Therefore, Section 25 should ensure self-government unconstrained by the Charter.

Indigenous band councils, for example, derive their authority not from the Indian Act or charter but from tradition.

A recent ruling by the Yukon Court of Appeals supports this view. If adopted, there is potential to create charter-free zones on indigenous reservations and other areas.

And if the progressive cult is adamant that all of Canada is essentially occupied indigenous land, then the charter is as useful a proxy as the paper it’s printed on.

And that the British Crown, now represented by the Canadian government, has no legitimate claims to authority. Especially when it comes to cannabis cultivation.