MMJ Daily 12 May 2026
AFN National Chief Calls for Cannabis Act Reform Following RCMP Raids on Nova Scotia First Nations
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has called on the federal government to reform the Cannabis Act to align with the United Nations Declaration Act and the recommendations of the 2024 Expert Panel that reviewed the legislation. Her remarks came during an address to a Nova Scotia Chiefs Leadership Gathering, as RCMP — acting at the direction of the provincial government — have been raiding First Nation cannabis stores across the province over the past month.
“Since cannabis was legalized in 2018, Chiefs from coast-to-coast-to-coast have debated and supported thoughtful and responsible cannabis policies at our Assembly,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “This leadership influenced the recommendations of the Expert Panel that the federal government created two years ago to review the Cannabis Act. Sadly, nothing has changed and it’s time for action.”
The National Chief directed her calls to the federal Ministers of Health and Justice, urging them to fully implement the Expert Panel’s recommendations recognizing First Nations rights and supporting greater Indigenous participation in the cannabis industry. She also called for national engagement with Rights Holders to co-develop a framework for exercising inherent jurisdiction over the production, processing, distribution and sale of cannabis, alignment of the Cannabis Act with Canada’s UN Declaration Act, joint development of tax and revenue sharing frameworks, and increased federal funding for training and First Nations police services to enforce First Nations cannabis laws.
Nova Scotia Regional Chief Andrea Paul characterized the provincial government’s approach as a significant step backward. “Having the province direct RCMP raids on our communities instead of respectful discussions with First Nations has been a major setback in relations with the Crown,” she said, emphasizing that the issue is fundamentally one of Indigenous self-governance and self-determination.
The calls echo recommendations from the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, which has been examining the impact of cannabis legalization on First Nations communities. The Committee has recommended that the Minister of Health amend the Cannabis Act to permit First Nations regulation of cannabis possession, sale and distribution on their lands. It has also called for a federal-provincial-territorial meeting to resolve jurisdictional challenges, collaboration between Finance Canada and First Nations on an excise tax-sharing framework, and sufficient investment in First Nations police services and the creation of a dedicated First Nations agency to support market participation.
Source: Assembly of First Nations
