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Legalized cannabis causing debate on Central Alberta First Nations reserves

Could it be as damaging as liquor? some elders ask
14279689_web1_Screen-Shot-2018-11-06-at-12.02.10-PM
Louis Bull Council chambers. (Contributed photo).

A Central Alberta First Nation community that already bans liquor is now grappling with whether to allow cannabis to be consumed on its reserve.

Many elders in the dry Louis Bull Band are against legalized cannabis, said executive assistant Jeff Rain. Since marijuana is a mind-altering substance, Rain said there are some people who think it should be treated like alcohol and not be allowed on the reserve.

But since no decision has been made, the Louis Bull Band council has passed interim rules about not smoking cannabis within 50 metres of public buildings, schools, parks and playgrounds. He said it’s the same rules adopted by the province, including not smoking at places of employment.

These restrictions are lenient compared to what the band council could determine if elders and other members decide to ban cannabis altogether on the reserve one hour north of Red Deer, said Rain.

In the meantime, Louis Bull officials have been keeping an eye on how neighbouring First Nations are handling the legalization of cannabis.

The Samson First Nation has adopted similar rules about where marijuana can be smoked, but is still working on a bylaw to control retail sales. (Any cannabis shops seeking to open in the Maskwacis town site would have to get permission from the County of Ponoka and the province.)

Mel Buffalo, court advocate for the band, said he was asked by council a week ago to come up with a draft bylaw. He’s mostly looking at ones already imposed by Calgary and Edmonton, requiring certain distances between cannabis sales outlets and schools, parks and day cares.

He expects to bring the proposed legislation before council sometimes this month for approval.

If passed, the bylaw must be ratified by the membership and then sent to the Canadian Justice Department in Ottawa to be looked over. It’s published in a Canadian law gazette for 90 days to see if there are any public objections before being finally adopted.

The Samson band was among many First Nations across Canada that were approached by companies that want to start legal grow ops on indigenous land. Samson First Nation’s economic development officer, Paul Johnson, said “it’s still a touchy subject,” so the initial response was no.

But with an unemployment rate of about 90 per cent, the band is always looking for ways to bring more jobs to the reserve, so the matter could come up for discussion again at some point, he added.

In the meantime, a small hemp operation has employed seven Samson members since it was started in April. Hemp grown by area farmers is being brought to a Samson facility, where the hemp stock is broken down for use as a bio-fibre in pet bedding and other products.